In Expressions^x, Clauses^x, Simple past^x

You can't use the present perfect (e.g., have seen ) in the same sentence with an expression of a definite time. A before clause expresses definite time. So have seen doesn't go with before . You have to change have seen to saw (the simple past). I saw your father before I came here. I...

If you Google "How long were you learning" you'll find almost nothing. The verb learning doesn't work particularly well here, the more idiomatic expression being How long did it take you to learn ... Nevertheless, I found an example that illustrates the contrast between the...

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!

In other words, "I wanted to know if the train would arrive on time" is wrong? I consider it correct because if does not denote condition in the sentence. CB

REMEMBER No Future in Time Clauses will is the mark of the Future of the Present. would is the mark of the Future of the Past. This reminder applies to both "Futures". It means: No will or would in subordinate clauses introduced by conjunctions such as when, before, after , etc. ...

What I neglected to point out is that the instructions from your web site specify the use of simple past within the clause which starts with a time expression. "We would go out for dinner" is a separate clause. So I still see no inconsistency. It would clarify matters if you would say...

This seems consistent. "Already" is an example of a time expression, so simple past is required. "I already told Mark that when he arrived , we would go out for dinner. Perhaps you're concerned about the final clause. (They probably shouldn't have used that example.)...

Hi, I was brushing on my knowledge of the modal "would" with the help of the Englishpage website and got stuck on what it is saying here on its tutorial on "would". REMEMBER No Future in Time Clauses Like all future forms, Future in the Past cannot be used in clauses beginning...

The 'short' answers are as follows. 'd taken to mean had is an older interpretation. Over time, people have come to think of it as would . The modern interpretation of 'd in that expression is now would . As for the tenses. Case 1: The clause after rather explicitly contains a...

Congratualtions for your explanations. There are clear and the best i've found. Vos explicatons sont les plus pédagogiques que j'ai pu trouver à ce jour et je tiens tout particulièrement à vous en rendre hommage. Gérard. Forum: New: Common English Questions and Answers - Archived Posts...