Only one s in present !!! You can't use will with the stative verbs in this construction: plus an indirect question. I would not call these relative clauses. to finish first - an action. how you are - a state - not an action. get there first

CalifJim wrote: And by the way, has anyone tried the angle that stative verbs might act differently from other verbs in if -clauses with regard to the speaker's tendency to keep them in the past instead of putting them in the past perfect (in

And by the way, has anyone tried the angle that stative verbs might act differently from other verbs in if -clauses with regard to the speaker's tendency to keep them in the past instead of putting them in the past perfect (in what seems to be a

There must be a clause in the perfect tense when by the time is used. Is it true? This has the ring of truth. It certainly is the norm, especially if you include the modal perfect tenses (must have, would have, ...). And yet,

MrPedantic wrote: This kind of structure is common with a stative verb in the main clause: 1. If I were more intelligent, I wouldn't have made such a mess of my exams. (Intelligence now implies intelligence then.) MrP I see this as

Hello Diamond You are correct in that "while" in itself contains the sense of duration. Nevertheless, I believe, "while" can't be followed by a purely punctual dynamic verb. For example, "While I hit the car, I was staring at a pretty girl" sounds

MrPedantic wrote: Diamondrg wrote: 1- My English would have been better if I had some native friends. In addition, #1 implies that you do not now have native friends; that if you had native friends now, you would have had native

Diamondrg wrote: 1- My English would have been better if I had some native friends. In addition, #1 implies that you do not now have native friends; that if you had native friends now, you would have had native friends then . This