Conditional structure using “were” would or would have?
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Is there any difference between:
1-If I were you,I would work harder.
2-If I were you,I would have worked harder
And can we use was in both sentences?
grammar grammaticality
asked 2 days ago
Rani2Add
1055
|
show 2 more comments
up vote
0
down vote
favorite
Is there any difference between:
1-If I were you,I would work harder.
2-If I were you,I would have worked harder
And can we use was in both sentences?
grammar grammaticality
asked 2 days ago
Rani2Add
1055
Is the issue with were/was or is it with have? Clarify. See also English Language Learners Good Luck.
– Kris
2 days ago
'Was' could work in both, except that the copula wants to agree with both 'I' and 'you'. 'Were' is more likely in #1, since it may be irrealis . 'Were' is preferred in both if they are counterfactual, and you can even drop the 'if', changing to "Were I you, I would ...". "Would have worked" is different, because it is perfect (sometimes called 'future in the past').
– AmI
2 days ago
@Kris the main issue is have
– Rani2Add
2 days ago
1
Then it's a good question. Since the sentence has a counterfactual were, either would be fine. "I would work harder." "I would have worked harder." The second form is clearly about the past, while the first is indefinite. Let me know if you need more on this.
– Kris
2 days ago
The title of the post may need to be changed, though.
– Kris
2 days ago
|
show 2 more comments
up vote
0
down vote
favorite
up vote
0
down vote
favorite
Is there any difference between:
1-If I were you,I would work harder.
2-If I were you,I would have worked harder
And can we use was in both sentences?
grammar grammaticality
asked 2 days ago
Rani2Add
1055
Is there any difference between:
1-If I were you,I would work harder.
2-If I were you,I would have worked harder
And can we use was in both sentences?
grammar grammaticality
grammar grammaticality
asked 2 days ago
Rani2Add
1055
asked 2 days ago
Rani2Add
1055
edited 2 days ago
asked 2 days ago
Rani2Add
1055
asked 2 days ago
Rani2Add
1055
asked 2 days ago
Rani2Add
1055
1055
Is the issue with were/was or is it with have? Clarify. See also English Language Learners Good Luck.
– Kris
2 days ago
'Was' could work in both, except that the copula wants to agree with both 'I' and 'you'. 'Were' is more likely in #1, since it may be irrealis . 'Were' is preferred in both if they are counterfactual, and you can even drop the 'if', changing to "Were I you, I would ...". "Would have worked" is different, because it is perfect (sometimes called 'future in the past').
– AmI
2 days ago
@Kris the main issue is have
– Rani2Add
2 days ago
1
Then it's a good question. Since the sentence has a counterfactual were, either would be fine. "I would work harder." "I would have worked harder." The second form is clearly about the past, while the first is indefinite. Let me know if you need more on this.
– Kris
2 days ago
The title of the post may need to be changed, though.
– Kris
2 days ago
|
show 2 more comments
Is the issue with were/was or is it with have? Clarify. See also English Language Learners Good Luck.
– Kris
2 days ago
'Was' could work in both, except that the copula wants to agree with both 'I' and 'you'. 'Were' is more likely in #1, since it may be irrealis . 'Were' is preferred in both if they are counterfactual, and you can even drop the 'if', changing to "Were I you, I would ...". "Would have worked" is different, because it is perfect (sometimes called 'future in the past').
– AmI
2 days ago
@Kris the main issue is have
– Rani2Add
2 days ago
1
Then it's a good question. Since the sentence has a counterfactual were, either would be fine. "I would work harder." "I would have worked harder." The second form is clearly about the past, while the first is indefinite. Let me know if you need more on this.
– Kris
2 days ago
The title of the post may need to be changed, though.
– Kris
2 days ago
Is the issue with were/was or is it with have? Clarify. See also English Language Learners Good Luck.
– Kris
2 days ago
Is the issue with were/was or is it with have? Clarify. See also English Language Learners Good Luck.
– Kris
2 days ago
'Was' could work in both, except that the copula wants to agree with both 'I' and 'you'. 'Were' is more likely in #1, since it may be irrealis . 'Were' is preferred in both if they are counterfactual, and you can even drop the 'if', changing to "Were I you, I would ...". "Would have worked" is different, because it is perfect (sometimes called 'future in the past').
– AmI
2 days ago
'Was' could work in both, except that the copula wants to agree with both 'I' and 'you'. 'Were' is more likely in #1, since it may be irrealis . 'Were' is preferred in both if they are counterfactual, and you can even drop the 'if', changing to "Were I you, I would ...". "Would have worked" is different, because it is perfect (sometimes called 'future in the past').
– AmI
2 days ago
@Kris the main issue is have
– Rani2Add
2 days ago
@Kris the main issue is have
– Rani2Add
2 days ago
1
1
Then it's a good question. Since the sentence has a counterfactual were, either would be fine. "I would work harder." "I would have worked harder." The second form is clearly about the past, while the first is indefinite. Let me know if you need more on this.
– Kris
2 days ago
Then it's a good question. Since the sentence has a counterfactual were, either would be fine. "I would work harder." "I would have worked harder." The second form is clearly about the past, while the first is indefinite. Let me know if you need more on this.
– Kris
2 days ago
The title of the post may need to be changed, though.
– Kris
2 days ago
The title of the post may need to be changed, though.
– Kris
2 days ago
|
show 2 more comments
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
up vote
1
down vote
accepted
- Is there any difference
If I were you, I would work harder is subjunctive present, which means that the verb phrase "would work" expresses something that is a possibility, a wish or a desire rather than a fact (a fact is expressed using the indicative mood). The need to express this as a possibility rather than a fact is where we get "would" from, and "would" is not your problem. "Work" is present tense, so saying I would work harder means that if a certain condition is fulfilled, then what will occur is me working harder right now. The action occurs now, but only if something else happens too.
If I were you, I would have worked harder is subjunctive present perfect, which means that the time frame for this action indicated by the tense is before now, but could be continuing in the present, or is unfinished. (I have lived here and I have read a book and I have just finished my homework). Essentially, if the condition is fulfilled, then the action has already happened.
The difference is that one implies that if you were he, the action would occur now, whereas the other suggests that if you were he, it would already have happened.
- Can you use 'was' in both sentences
Traditionally, you cannot use 'was' in either sentence because of the subjunctive mood. In English, the subjunctive is nearly extinct, but its verb form for to be (past) is the same for all persons and numbers:
If I were / If we were
If you were / If you were
If he were / If they were
However, some authorities suggest that this is formal, written or archaic, and that the use of 'was' for first and third person singular is acceptable. I tend to lean towards tradition, but I suppose the choice is yours.
answered 2 days ago
Joseph Paduch
1226
New contributor
Joseph Paduch is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
1
down vote
accepted
- Is there any difference
If I were you, I would work harder is subjunctive present, which means that the verb phrase "would work" expresses something that is a possibility, a wish or a desire rather than a fact (a fact is expressed using the indicative mood). The need to express this as a possibility rather than a fact is where we get "would" from, and "would" is not your problem. "Work" is present tense, so saying I would work harder means that if a certain condition is fulfilled, then what will occur is me working harder right now. The action occurs now, but only if something else happens too.
If I were you, I would have worked harder is subjunctive present perfect, which means that the time frame for this action indicated by the tense is before now, but could be continuing in the present, or is unfinished. (I have lived here and I have read a book and I have just finished my homework). Essentially, if the condition is fulfilled, then the action has already happened.
The difference is that one implies that if you were he, the action would occur now, whereas the other suggests that if you were he, it would already have happened.
- Can you use 'was' in both sentences
Traditionally, you cannot use 'was' in either sentence because of the subjunctive mood. In English, the subjunctive is nearly extinct, but its verb form for to be (past) is the same for all persons and numbers:
If I were / If we were
If you were / If you were
If he were / If they were
However, some authorities suggest that this is formal, written or archaic, and that the use of 'was' for first and third person singular is acceptable. I tend to lean towards tradition, but I suppose the choice is yours.
answered 2 days ago
Joseph Paduch
1226
New contributor
Joseph Paduch is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
accepted
- Is there any difference
If I were you, I would work harder is subjunctive present, which means that the verb phrase "would work" expresses something that is a possibility, a wish or a desire rather than a fact (a fact is expressed using the indicative mood). The need to express this as a possibility rather than a fact is where we get "would" from, and "would" is not your problem. "Work" is present tense, so saying I would work harder means that if a certain condition is fulfilled, then what will occur is me working harder right now. The action occurs now, but only if something else happens too.
If I were you, I would have worked harder is subjunctive present perfect, which means that the time frame for this action indicated by the tense is before now, but could be continuing in the present, or is unfinished. (I have lived here and I have read a book and I have just finished my homework). Essentially, if the condition is fulfilled, then the action has already happened.
The difference is that one implies that if you were he, the action would occur now, whereas the other suggests that if you were he, it would already have happened.
- Can you use 'was' in both sentences
Traditionally, you cannot use 'was' in either sentence because of the subjunctive mood. In English, the subjunctive is nearly extinct, but its verb form for to be (past) is the same for all persons and numbers:
If I were / If we were
If you were / If you were
If he were / If they were
However, some authorities suggest that this is formal, written or archaic, and that the use of 'was' for first and third person singular is acceptable. I tend to lean towards tradition, but I suppose the choice is yours.
answered 2 days ago
Joseph Paduch
1226
New contributor
Joseph Paduch is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
accepted
up vote
1
down vote
accepted
- Is there any difference
If I were you, I would work harder is subjunctive present, which means that the verb phrase "would work" expresses something that is a possibility, a wish or a desire rather than a fact (a fact is expressed using the indicative mood). The need to express this as a possibility rather than a fact is where we get "would" from, and "would" is not your problem. "Work" is present tense, so saying I would work harder means that if a certain condition is fulfilled, then what will occur is me working harder right now. The action occurs now, but only if something else happens too.
If I were you, I would have worked harder is subjunctive present perfect, which means that the time frame for this action indicated by the tense is before now, but could be continuing in the present, or is unfinished. (I have lived here and I have read a book and I have just finished my homework). Essentially, if the condition is fulfilled, then the action has already happened.
The difference is that one implies that if you were he, the action would occur now, whereas the other suggests that if you were he, it would already have happened.
- Can you use 'was' in both sentences
Traditionally, you cannot use 'was' in either sentence because of the subjunctive mood. In English, the subjunctive is nearly extinct, but its verb form for to be (past) is the same for all persons and numbers:
If I were / If we were
If you were / If you were
If he were / If they were
However, some authorities suggest that this is formal, written or archaic, and that the use of 'was' for first and third person singular is acceptable. I tend to lean towards tradition, but I suppose the choice is yours.
answered 2 days ago
Joseph Paduch
1226
New contributor
Joseph Paduch is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
- Is there any difference
If I were you, I would work harder is subjunctive present, which means that the verb phrase "would work" expresses something that is a possibility, a wish or a desire rather than a fact (a fact is expressed using the indicative mood). The need to express this as a possibility rather than a fact is where we get "would" from, and "would" is not your problem. "Work" is present tense, so saying I would work harder means that if a certain condition is fulfilled, then what will occur is me working harder right now. The action occurs now, but only if something else happens too.
If I were you, I would have worked harder is subjunctive present perfect, which means that the time frame for this action indicated by the tense is before now, but could be continuing in the present, or is unfinished. (I have lived here and I have read a book and I have just finished my homework). Essentially, if the condition is fulfilled, then the action has already happened.
The difference is that one implies that if you were he, the action would occur now, whereas the other suggests that if you were he, it would already have happened.
- Can you use 'was' in both sentences
Traditionally, you cannot use 'was' in either sentence because of the subjunctive mood. In English, the subjunctive is nearly extinct, but its verb form for to be (past) is the same for all persons and numbers:
If I were / If we were
If you were / If you were
If he were / If they were
However, some authorities suggest that this is formal, written or archaic, and that the use of 'was' for first and third person singular is acceptable. I tend to lean towards tradition, but I suppose the choice is yours.
answered 2 days ago
Joseph Paduch
1226
New contributor
Joseph Paduch is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 2 days ago
answered 2 days ago
Joseph Paduch
1226
New contributor
Joseph Paduch is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 2 days ago
Joseph Paduch
1226
answered 2 days ago
Joseph Paduch
1226
1226
New contributor
Joseph Paduch is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Joseph Paduch is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Joseph Paduch is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
add a comment |
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Is the issue with were/was or is it with have? Clarify. See also English Language Learners Good Luck.
– Kris
2 days ago
'Was' could work in both, except that the copula wants to agree with both 'I' and 'you'. 'Were' is more likely in #1, since it may be irrealis . 'Were' is preferred in both if they are counterfactual, and you can even drop the 'if', changing to "Were I you, I would ...". "Would have worked" is different, because it is perfect (sometimes called 'future in the past').
– AmI
2 days ago
@Kris the main issue is have
– Rani2Add
2 days ago
1
Then it's a good question. Since the sentence has a counterfactual were, either would be fine. "I would work harder." "I would have worked harder." The second form is clearly about the past, while the first is indefinite. Let me know if you need more on this.
– Kris
2 days ago
The title of the post may need to be changed, though.
– Kris
2 days ago