#1  
Old 15-Aug-2008, 09:44
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Default if clause correction

I found this question on a grammar book. It says there's one mistake and I need to find it out. However I have no idea where it is.

If I were late, they usually made me stay after school and I had to do extra homework.

I personally think it would either be were or had - don't know which one though. Could you help me correct the mistake? Thanks.

Last edited by hank5509; 15-Aug-2008 at 10:15.
  #2  
Old 15-Aug-2008, 10:05
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Default Re: if clause correction

If I were late, they usually make me stay after school and I had to do extra homework.

It seems to me that would should be either before usually or in its place.

However I'm interested to hear what others think as my knowledge of conditionals could certainly be better.

I am not a teacher.
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Old 15-Aug-2008, 10:11
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Default Re: if clause correction

would ususlly make
Second Conditional (2nd Conditional) - Glossary Definition - UsingEnglish.com
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Old 15-Aug-2008, 10:18
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Default Re: if clause correction

Oops. Just have read the book again and I found the sentence is actually like this:

Quote:
If I were late, they usually made me stay after school and I had to do extra homework.
Now I think made is also suspicious.
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Old 15-Aug-2008, 10:35
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Default Re: if clause correction

If I was late,
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Old 15-Aug-2008, 10:48
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Default Re: if clause correction

'If I were' is used in a non-factual, hypothetical situation.
In normal situation, it is 'if I was'.

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