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senay
Joined: 24 Oct 2005
Posts: 20
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 Posted: Sat Nov 25, 2006 1:42 pm Post subject: As if / though + which tense |
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Hello everyone
I wonder what is the difference in meaning if I use a present tense after as if / as though or a past tense For example
"he orders me as if I were his wife"
and
"he speaks to me as if I'm an idiot"
Are the sentences correct?
Thank you |
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myprofe
Joined: 29 Jun 2004
Posts: 425
Location: Madrid, Spain - Native Boston, USA
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| Posted: Sat Nov 25, 2006 2:16 pm Post subject: Re: As if / though + which tense |
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| senay wrote: |
| He orders me as if I were his wife. |
This is the correct one. The verb in the "if" clause is in the past tense because the statement is not true.
He treats me like a slave. I'm not a slave.
He treats me as if I were a slave.
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I'm never going to learn if you don't correct my mistakes! |
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Eric Thompson
Joined: 25 Nov 2006
Posts: 148
Location: Angeles, Pampanga, Philippines
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| Posted: Sat Nov 25, 2006 3:24 pm Post subject: Re: As if / though + which tense |
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| senay wrote: |
Hello everyone
I wonder what is the difference in meaning if I use a present tense after as if / as though or a past tense For example
"he orders me as if I were his wife"
and
"he speaks to me as if I'm an idiot"
Are the sentences correct?
Thank you |
Senay, Were is the better word to use. In this case, use the subjunctive mood, which is used in contrary-to-fact situations especially involving an if clause. You are not an idiot, so it is contrary to fact, so use were (3rd person singular). - Eric |
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Lorikeet
Joined: 08 Oct 2005
Posts: 1877
Location: San Francisco
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| Posted: Sat Nov 25, 2006 4:50 pm Post subject: |
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It looks like a past tense, but it isn't really past. It's often called "unreal." For example,
If I had a million dollars in my hands right now, I would buy a new house.
You can see the "had" looks past, but it is used with the words "right now" and believe me, I don't have a million dollars, so I'm not buying anything.  |
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