[Grammar] If I were the writer, I would have written/would write ...

[kadioguy]

Please look at the sentences of mine:

a. Look at this sentence! I think it is ungrammatical. If I were the writer, I would have written XXX.

b. Look at this sentence! I think it is ungrammatical. If I were the writer, I would write XXX.
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Which one is correct? I think both work. Here are my thoughts:

a. Look at this sentence! I think it is ungrammatical. If I were the writer, I would have written XXX. (In the past)

b. Look at this sentence! I think it is ungrammatical. If I were the writer, I would write XXX. (In the future/Now)

Am I right in thinking this?

 

[Tdol]

Yes, you are.

 

[jutfrank]

In sentence b. the time frame does not seem to be specific to present, past or future. If you were the writer, you would write that regardless of present, past or future, so in a way, it's all three at once. I like to call this 'imaginary general time'.

 

[Tdol]

But I don't see how this could refer readily to the past- I would use #1 for that.

 

[jutfrank]

But I don't see how this could refer readily to the past- I would use #1 for that.

General time refers generally to present, past and future, not to any one specifically.

Sentence a. is specific to past time.