In Expressions^x, Clauses^x, Past perfect^x

Yes. Your backshift interpretation seems right to me. But I don't see this as necessarily subjunctive. It comes off as a sort of borderline case to my ear. CJ PS. ... would have baked you a cake is the usual expression!

Memos show Clinton turmoil Question: I would have written ''Clinton's turmoil''. Why didn't the author use apostrophe? BY CRAIG GORDON AND TOM BRUNE | <email addresses removed by mod.> August 13, 2008 Question: Why is semicolon used instead of comma to separate...

Let's spread out the issue a little bit: ____ O ____ Type 2. Basic forms . a. If we caught the 10 o'clock train, we would (could, might, etc.) get there by lunch-time. b. If I came into a fortune, I would give up smoking. c. If I knew how it worked, I could...

I would correct flopped to failed . I haven't prepared covers the period up to the present. It says that the state you are in at this present moment is an unprepared state. But I failed happened in the past. That's why is a claim of causality. You can't have a present cause (being...

Eeuw! Melted brains are so unsightly! You said that "loved" can refer to the present. Can it also refer to the past Yes. There is always an end to the backshift process -- the point where you run out of tenses that refer to an even more distant point in time! In this case I wouldn't feel...

I tried to paint the picture of possible tense choices in time clauses, but I think it is not as easy as it seems as meaning and context is also of pivotal importance. For example, I think “53- I haven't seen them since they have got married.” is not acceptable but “She has made a lot of friends...

It seems to me blue ones are correct and red ones are wrong. But I am not sure. But I need native help. I tried to paint the picture of possible tense choices in time clauses, but I think it is not as easy as it seems as meaning and context is also of pivotal importance. For example, I think...

Why can "happened" be used? Didn't it happen before "remember"? According to the rules, we should use "had happened". But "happened" does exist. Can you explain it more clearly, Mr Just the Truth? JT: Sorry for the delay, Qingqing. {how do you say your name? I know a little Chinese girl...

I've posted this in another thread: would + base form of verb = simple conditional (would go) would + have + past participle = perfect conditional (would have gone) Both are usually seen in conditional sentences Types II and III. Type II: "If it started to rain now, I would stay at home." ...

Yes, you are right, Miriam.. Thanks for pointing this out.. I was so focused on the "will" position, that I missed this important point. By the time I arrive, they will have eaten dinner. (future perfect) I am searching for other tenses that can be used with "by the time" expression: ...