Park sang joon Posted 11 years ago
Grammar
The usage of "might"
In the eighteen century, the field of science was virtually closed to women. In France, the Marquise du Chatelet might write a highly regarded book about Newtonian physics, but its excellence spoke against her. The manuscript was so good it was widely assumed that it had been written by the countess' tutor rather than by the countess herself.
[Source: Reading for Results Ninth Edition by Laraine Flemming]
I think in my example, "might write" was used for the author to guess fact of the past from the present point.
But I think in this case, "might have written" should have been used.
And I'd like to know if my thought is right.
Thank you in advance for your help.
[Source: Reading for Results Ninth Edition by Laraine Flemming]
I think in my example, "might write" was used for the author to guess fact of the past from the present point.
But I think in this case, "might have written" should have been used.
And I'd like to know if my thought is right.
Thank you in advance for your help.
Top answer
"might" in this case has a contrastive feel (setting up the later "but"). The author is stating a known fact, not his guess. "might write" and "might have written" are both OK there (slightly difference nuance of time viewpoint).
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"might" in this case has a contrastive feel (setting up the later "but"). The author is stating a known fact, not his guess.
"might write" and "might have written" are both OK there (slightly difference nuance of time viewpoint).
"might write" and "might have written" are both OK there (slightly difference nuance of time viewpoint).
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