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Originally Posted by sylvia philobos if he were/ had been such a good doctor, he would have diagnosed the disease.
this means that he is not a good doctor that is why he could not diagnose the disease.
this is correct if you want to follow the rule. However I think the one with should makes sense because that is what is expected from a good doctor. |
So.... what is the final verdict? I was more comfortable with no.1, but after reading all your comments, I'm not sure anymore!!
I think the sentence 'if he had been a good doctor, he would have dignosed the disease' is used in a different situation, an even that happened in a more distant past. It's sort of like talking about a past event, isn't it? e.g. Mary has been suffering from anorexia all these years. She went to see Dr Death last year, and if he had been a good doctor, he would have diagnosed the disease.
Whereas the original question 'if he is/were a good doctor, he should have diagnosed the disease' sounds more like something that just happened recently....
someone... please enlighten me.
Oh, and I'm also a new member. Nice to meet you all!
neurobotanist