If you obtain weird results (in the future vs. now), your experiment was/has been..

Status
Not open for further replies.
L

lycen

Member
Joined
Sep 17, 2009
Member Type
Student or Learner
(In the future) If you obtain weird results, your experiment was/has been screwed up.

If you have weird results (now), your experiment was/has been screwed up.

In the first example, the experiment is of the future, but it will be done before getting the results. "Was" sounds wrong to me as it refers the experiment as a past event (i.e. before the speech). Which should be used?

In the second example, I'm sure "was" and "has been" are both acceptable.
 
A

awatef

Member
Joined
Aug 6, 2008
Member Type
Student or Learner
both sentences you have written are wrong. correct: if you obtain weird results, your experiment HAS screwed up.
If you have weird results, your experiment has screwed up. In both sentences you should use the present perfect has-have+past participle.
 
L

lycen

Member
Joined
Sep 17, 2009
Member Type
Student or Learner
awatef said:
both sentences you have written are wrong. correct: if you obtain weird results, your experiment HAS screwed up.
If you have weird results, your experiment has screwed up. In both sentences you should use the present perfect has-have+past participle.
Click to expand...

If you obtain weird results, your experiment HAS screwed up.

That's one way to put it. However, it doesn't mean mine are wrong (you have yet to justify). I meant it in a different way and you didn't catch it.

(In the future) If you obtain weird results, your experiment was/has been screwed up by someone in your group. (Passive voice)

If you have weird results (now), your experiment was/has been screwed up by someone in your group. (Passive voice)

The question now is whether "was/has been" can be used in the first example. In the second case both "was" and "has been" can be used (in my opinion; correct me if I'm wrong).
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top