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Zuotengdazuo Posted 8 years ago
Grammar

Doesn’t vs didn’t, which tense to use in a second conditional?

If I were you I would think that he doesn't/didn't like me.

Hi. I have seen this sentence from a Chinese forum.

I think both “doesn’t” and “didn’t” are OK. But according to the thread I’ve started here, it is seems to native speakers that only past tense works in a second conditional. I’m confused now. So what do you teachers think?

http://forum.wordreference.com/threads/if-i-were-you-i-would-think-that-he-doesn’t-didn’t-like-me.3539596/#post-17990520

Thank you.
  

Top answer

zuotengdazuo seems to native speakers that only past tense works in a second conditional The clause with 'doesn't' or 'didn't' is a subordinate clause. It's more common to match tense with the matrix clause (would think that ... didn't), but the other version is not wrong (would think that ...

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1 Answers
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zuotengdazuoseems to native speakers that only past tense works in a second conditional

The clause with 'doesn't' or 'didn't' is a subordinate clause. It's more common to match tense with the matrix clause (would think that ... didn't), but the other version is not wrong (would think that ... doesn't).

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