In Past tenses^x, Clauses^x

it is actually 'any convenience which this caused' but you have elipsed the relative subordinator which.  It looks like caused is the past tense (it is in the relative clause), but it is actually the past participle once the subject and relative subordinator are removed.  This is clearer...

There is no real reason. Some grammarians explain it this way: The past is remote in time, and the condition expressed by an if clause is remote in possibility. What they have in common is remoteness. So the same verb form is used for both concepts.It is also possible that since would was...

This is just a negative of a standard type 2 conditional. I would sell it to you if it shot straight. This construct is used where fulfilment of the if clause is improbable or impossible, but still current. By the way it is not past tense, its imperfect subjunctive, although the two are...

Some uses: Would functions as a more formal and more polite alternative to will. Would can refer to typical habitual actions and events in the past and often occurs in narratives: Would rather and would sooner are used to talk about preference and/or alternatives. Would versus Should: Should...

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!

Hi,I'm not sure about the expression, "content that is relevant." I try to make all my content relevant, but sometimes fail.Often, the status of a condition or situation as to permanance or on-going-ness is common knowledge, or obvious, and sometimes it's not known to the...

Hi,1. Would you say if a person is reporting on a content that is permanent, on-going, or relevant in content nature, the reporting word could be both present and past and also, do you feel both present and past tenses are OK in the that-clause? He said/says his house is/was in Chicago.He...

This is my take:The use of "would rather" is not restricted by time. In certain aspects, it contains a conditional element as well. Here is some info. Hope that helps your question.<EDITED by mod to credit your source.>

Your question is kind of vague but I will try to cover what I thought you liked to know. It depends on how we structure the question ,we can ask “ are you an English teacher?” which is equivalent to “do you teach English for a living”. Where were you born? – this is always expressed in past...

A. It wouldn't surprise me if John failed the test.I was wondering if A only applies to the event (test) in the past._____ No. It does not apply only to the past. It can apply to the future as well.The same answer goes for the take/took a picture example. With a dummy it that represents...