In Past tenses^x, Subjunctives^x

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...

I watch a movie: The gun salesman said the gun shoot straight although it is cheap in price. and then he said "I wouldn't sell it to you, if it didn't"I understand this is a subjunctive mood. and I understand the rules. But why it uses past form of verb to present present in...

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!

Interesting! You never taught me those conditionals! Does that mean that in English (like in Italian), it is possible to use the simple past instead of the subjunctive formed with the past perfect, in informal and casual English? The only example I know it's kind of common is substituting...

This is a modal construction (could), not a subjunctive.Here's a subjunctive (underlined): It is important that you be right. I'm not sure what you're asking, I guess.CJ

Thanks...I see..Then, understanding it as a past tense subjunctive referring to the present, like, "You could be right.", meaning "There should be one time that you do not get it." is impossible? Watching dramas or movies in English, when a friend tries to give a...

My subjunctive scouts have returned empty-handed. Consider that a true subjunctive in a main clause is not found in English, certainly not the past subjunctive. It's the simple past indicative tense.CJ

Following is from “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban”. The situation is that Harry Potter failed in the Quidditch game for the first time. Harry put his face to his knees, his hands gripping his hair. Fred grabbed his shoulder and shook it roughly. ‘C’mon, Harry, you’ve never...

I am not the world's greatest expert on the technical analysis of conditional statements, but FWIW here are my thoughts. "Were" here is not the past tense, if that's what your message title is referring to. It's a subjunctive. 1) ... are you planning to go to *** Museum...