Conditional

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ha179

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I did a test on this website about conditional and I was confused with this question:
If I were you, I wouldn't have done that. This is correct.
I choose FALSE but the answer is TRUE.
Can someone explain it to me?
Thank you.
 

MASM

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I did a test on this website about conditional and I was confused with this question:
If I were you, I wouldn't have done that. This is correct.
I choose FALSE but the answer is TRUE.
Can someone explain it to me?
Thank you.

Yes, I think I can help you with that. I guess you thought that the answer would be: If I had been you, I wouldn't have done that. Am I right?
This sentence would then mean that I was not you in that occasion, but could be in the future..which is rather illogical because no one can be another person. That's why we have to use "If I were you" as a piece of advice.

I hope that helps
 

sarat_106

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I did a test on this website about conditional and I was confused with this question:
If I were you, I wouldn't have done that. This is correct.
I choose FALSE but the answer is TRUE.
Can someone explain it to me?
Thank you.

I am unable to understand, what is the real question on the conditional sentence. In any case the sentence is seen to be in the past subjunctive (If I were you). Please note that the subjunctive mood is used in a dependent if clause to express a condition that does not exist (is contrary to fact), I can not be you, this is a hypothetical fact. In such a case, the verb of the main clause must then contain the modal verb would. This is exactly followed here. So it is correct.
 

ha179

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What I don't understand is the type of if clause, the structure of the sentence is not second conditional or third conditional, but it is still correct.
I really appreciate both replies, especially MASM's one, this explanation really helps me, thank you :)
 
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mmasny

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What I don't understand is the type of if clause, the structure of the sentence is not second conditional or third conditional, but it is still correct.
I really appreciate both replies, especially MASM's one, this explanation really helps me, thank you :)
Hello ha179! You're right, it's none of the conditionals you mentioned. It's one of so-called mixed conditionals. ENGLISH PAGE - Mixed Conditionals
 

MASM

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Hello ha179! You're right, it's none of the conditionals you mentioned. It's one of so-called mixed conditionals. ENGLISH PAGE - Mixed Conditionals

Exactly, It's a mixed conditional Second Third Mixed Conditional: If + past simple + would have + past participle.

I'm becoming an expert on this...mmasny is too :-D.

You're welcome, I'm happy to help
 
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