[Grammar] If clause that doesn't make sense.

[emp0608]

Hi folks,

I came across the following sentence, which I think doesn't make sense.

“I’ve got a missing girl,” he said. “In my truck. I don’t know what to do with her.”
If Officer Rodriguez wasn’t used to hearing such a statement every day, she gave no sign
of surprise.

Shouldn't it be, "As if Officer Rodriguez was used to hearing such a statement every day, …"

Could anybody explain how I should interpret it?

Thanks.

emp0608

 

[teechar]

Hi folks,

I came across the following sentence which I think doesn't make sense.
[With the comma, the sentence implies that your coming across it doesn't make sense!]

“I’ve got a missing girl,” he said, “in my truck. I don’t know what to do with her.”

If Officer Rodriguez wasn’t used to hearing such a statement every day, she gave no sign of surprise.

Shouldn't it be, "As if Officer Rodriguez was used to hearing such a statement every day, …"

Could anybody explain how I should interpret it?

Thanks.

Can you provide a link to where you found that text please?

 

[emp0608]

Hi teechar,

The link is http://www.readworks.org/passages/strange-day-highway, but you may have to log in first at www.readworks.org.

Thanks.

emp0608

 

[Rover_KE]

No - it's fine as is.

 

[teechar]

That intended idea is not expressed clearly in that sentence. I added text (in blue) to help you understand it.

If Officer Rodriguez wasn’t used to hearing such a statement every day, she (would have reacted differently, but she actually) gave no sign of surprise.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Shouldn't it be, "As if Officer Rodriguez was used to hearing such a statement every day, …"

No, that wouldn't work.

 

[emp0608]

Yes, teechar, the original sentence would make sense if it had your insertion in blue. But it doesn't, so I think it doesn't make sense.

 

[emp0608]

All I can say is that mental mechanisms of native speakers are sometimes beyond my comprehension.

 

[emsr2d2]

The first part is OK but I find the second part unnatural. I would have expected to see:

If she wasn't used to hearing such statements every day, she didn't show it.

 

[emp0608]

There you go! That sounds a lot better.
Thanks, emsr2d2

 

[YAMATO2201]

In the sentence in question, is it possible to replace "If Officer Rodriguez" with "Even though Officer Rodriguez", "Although Officer Rodriguez", or "Although perhaps Officer Rodriguez"?

 

[YAMATO2201]

Yes, if you don't mind changing the meaning.

What about "Even if Officer Rodriguez"?

 

[teechar]

What about "Even if Officer Rodriguez"?

That also changes the meaning.