"Hypothetically speaking, if client X decided that they wanted/want to opt out of the

[B45]

"Hypothetically speaking, if client X decided that they wanted/want to opt out of the

I say to my boss:

"Hypothetically speaking, if client X decided that he wanted/want to opt out of his contract. We're in a lot of trouble."

VS

"Hypothetically speaking, if client X decides that he wanted/want to opt out of his contract. We're in a lot of trouble."

Which one would be correct?

 

[bhaisahab]

Re: "Hypothetically speaking, if client X decided that they wanted/want to opt out of

The first one is correct with "wanted". The second one is incorrect.

 

[Raymott]

Re: "Hypothetically speaking, if client X decided that they wanted/want to opt out of

The second would be correct with 'wants'. I would use "we'd be in a lot of trouble" for the first.
In any case, you have to include the last sentence with the first. You can't split a conditional sentence into two like that.
"If something happens, something follows", NOT "If something happens. Something follows".

 

[emsr2d2]

Re: "Hypothetically speaking, if client X decided that they wanted/want to opt out of

There shouldn't be a full stop after "contract". It makes the first part an incomplete sentence.

Hypothetically speaking, if the client decided that he wanted to opt out of his contract, we'd be in a lot of trouble.
Hypothetically speaking, if the client decides that he wants to opt out of his contract, we'll be in a lot of trouble.

(Edit: Apologies, I failed to spot that Raymott had already pointed out that you need to combine the sentences.)

 

[B45]

Re: "Hypothetically speaking, if client X decided that they wanted/want to opt out of

Since, it's hypothetically speaking, wouldn't it be better to use the 2nd conditional?

 

[emsr2d2]

Re: "Hypothetically speaking, if client X decided that they wanted/want to opt out of

All conditionals are hypotheticals to a certain extent because they all involve something which hasn't happened yet. The first conditional is used for a real possibility. It sounds to me as if there is a real possibility that he will decide to opt out of the contract. On that basis, I actually prefer the first conditional.

Note that I wouldn't actually start either sentence with "Hypothetically speaking". I would simply say "If the client decides/decided ..." etc.

 

[MikeNewYork]

Re: "Hypothetically speaking, if client X decided that they wanted/want to opt out of

You could simplify the sentence even more by removing "that he wanted".

"If client X decided to opt out of his contract, we'd be in a lot of trouble."