future in the past

[Richard Togher]

I require some guidance on the two different forms of future in the past:

(1) The events WOULD HAVE lasting effects

(2) The events WERE TO HAVE lasintg effects

I believe the two differ slightly but i'm not sure how

I have the same problem with:

(3) I WILL help

(4) I AM GOING TO help

Can anyone help!

[dipizz]

I require some guidance on the two different forms of future in the past:

(1) The events WOULD HAVE lasting effects

(2) The events WERE TO HAVE lasintg effects

I believe the two differ slightly but i'm not sure how

I have the same problem with:

(3) I WILL help

(4) I AM GOING TO help

Can anyone help!

HI, Richard,

Maybe I can help you.

About the difference between the two forms of future in the past you've referred to, I believe it consists of accomplishment. Therefore, the first form clearly indicates a conditional verb (would), which makes the action possible or not to get done.
The second form, instead, alludes to the supposition of that action to get done (the events "were supposed" to have lasting effects).

About your second requesting, remember that "will" form of future is used when talking about predictions, suppositions or answers to a future demand in a diallogue, which is our case.
"I will help" ---> "Can you help to (...)?
Anyway, you've not planned that action previously, which is what differs from "to be going to". So as, when you say "i'm going to help" you've decided it previously or planned it.

I hope it may help ya!

Cheers!