panicmonger
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- Joined
- Apr 9, 2010
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- Student or Learner
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- Chinese
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- Australia
I know 3rd conditional sentences definitely belong to the ambit of subjunctive mood, yet how about 2rd conditional sentences?
As we know, 3rd conditional sentences are hypothetical statements, and hence subjunctive mood. But how about 2rd conditional sentences, they are statements of improbability.
Do we have a clear cut between improbabilities and hypotheses?
If any, Could you tell me the difference between 2 sentences below?
1. I would rather you paid cheque.
2. I would rather you would have paid cheque.
to me,
first sentence is improbable, as I wish you would pay cheque.
second sentence is hypothetic, as it is impossible to happen because it had passed.
so they are both in subjunctive mood, but actually there is a difference.
Have grammarians factored them in when setting the rules?:?:
Good day.
As we know, 3rd conditional sentences are hypothetical statements, and hence subjunctive mood. But how about 2rd conditional sentences, they are statements of improbability.
Do we have a clear cut between improbabilities and hypotheses?
If any, Could you tell me the difference between 2 sentences below?
1. I would rather you paid cheque.
2. I would rather you would have paid cheque.
to me,
first sentence is improbable, as I wish you would pay cheque.
second sentence is hypothetic, as it is impossible to happen because it had passed.
so they are both in subjunctive mood, but actually there is a difference.
Have grammarians factored them in when setting the rules?:?:
Good day.
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