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Volcano1985 Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

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He was to have been the new ambassador but he fell ill.

He would be the new ambassador but he fell ill
.

Whats the difference ?
  

Top answer

Hi Volcano Here is my take: Your first sentence refers to everything in the past. We have no way of knowing how long ago it was. This could be a reference to events that took place (or didn't take place) a hundred years ago -- or last month, for example.

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2 Answers
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Hi Volcano

Here is my take:

Your first sentence refers to everything in the past. We have no way of knowing how long ago it was. This could be a reference to events that took place (or didn't take place) a hundred years ago -- or last month, for example.

In you second sentence, "would be" refers to the present (or possibly the future), and the end of you sentence su
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So in second, he can be the new ambassador again?