By Subjunctives, English grammar

Bokeh,About this book you referred to:A Modern English Grammar" (Oxford) I did my own research in the hope that I could check it out somewhere—at a bookstore, a library or wherever—with my own eyes, but I found that the book was so old that it seemed to be almost impossible to get it anywhere.So,...

Taka wrote: Bokeh wrote: MrPedantic wrote: The two forms once differed, but are now identical. According to "A Modern English Grammar" (Oxford) using the simple past in this context is erroneous.Bokeh,I would like you to cite what the book actually says.Plus, I wonder what your nationality is....

Bokeh wrote: MrPedantic wrote:The two forms once differed, but are now identical.According to "A Modern English Grammar" (Oxford) using the simple past in this context is erroneous.Bokeh,I would like you to cite what the book actually says.Plus, I wonder what your nationality is. Personally, I...

MrPedantic wrote:The two forms once differed, but are now identical.According to "A Modern English Grammar" (Oxford) using the simple past in this context is erroneous.

Hi, According to Longman English Grammar by L.G. Alexander in its Section 14.13.1, it is noted: Were can be used in place of was after If I/he/she/it. There is not difference in meaning, but were is more formal, particularly when we are making doubtful statements. And in Practical English...

I think that's how they got the terms "present subjunctive" and "past subjunctive."But I don't believe that the grammar of a past form of English has any relevance to how English grammar works today. ymmv

Cool Breeze wrote: Inchoateknowledge wrote: Hello And how do you feel about my 3 alternatives Many astonishing things are possible in English grammar. I must say I do find a preterite (ate) after insist quite peculiar. I am sure someone will run a search and tell us it is possible, though. So...

Inchoateknowledge wrote:Hello And how do you feel about my 3 alternativesMany astonishing things are possible in English grammar. I must say I do find a preterite (ate) after insist quite peculiar. I am sure someone will run a search and tell us it is possible, though. So I'll just say I...

Clive wrote:Hi, If he called, tell him I'll be back soon If you said that to me, I would have no idea what you meant. I certainly wouldn't see it as referring to any kind of future calling. It sounds like you are telling me "if he called in the past, tell him (when? next time he calls?) that...

Rahul Malhotra wrote:but, i dont know why so many books on english grammar says that modals should not be used in the condition of conditionals and can only be used in the result. Often, this is caused by this situation where the above rule is correct: ---------- would have for had. In...