HSS Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
Verbs in Subordinate Clause within If Clause
Verbs in Subordinate Clause within If Clause
(1) If he knew what he was doing, he would be doing it better.
(2) If he knew what Sue is/was doing, he would go to see her.
(3) If he bought the car he has long wanted to have, he would be so excited.
The verb in a subordinate clause within an if-clause with a subjunctive-past verb --- I've been thinking what causes it to be its past subjunctive.
I was told the sentences above are idiomatic English in terms of the usage of the bold lettered verbs. How come you use the past subjunctive [eg. was in (1) and (2)] for some sentences whereas the indicative [eg. is in (2) and has in (3)] for the others when they all express the present tense? I was even told is in (2) is Americanism. Is it something of American regional usage?
Many thanks,
Hiro
(1) If he knew what he was doing, he would be doing it better.
(2) If he knew what Sue is/was doing, he would go to see her.
(3) If he bought the car he has long wanted to have, he would be so excited.
The verb in a subordinate clause within an if-clause with a subjunctive-past verb --- I've been thinking what causes it to be its past subjunctive.
I was told the sentences above are idiomatic English in terms of the usage of the bold lettered verbs. How come you use the past subjunctive [eg. was in (1) and (2)] for some sentences whereas the indicative [eg. is in (2) and has in (3)] for the others when they all express the present tense? I was even told is in (2) is Americanism. Is it something of American regional usage?
Many thanks,
Hiro
Top answer
While we wait for native speakers' comments, here's what I think. HSS (1) If he knew what he was doing, he would be doing it better. Wrong.
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While we wait for native speakers' comments, here's what I think.
If the reference is to the past: If he had known
HSS(1) If he knew what he was doing, he would be doing it better.Wrong. I would say, if the reference is to the present time: If he knew what he is doing, he would be doing it better.
If the reference is to the past: If he had known
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