turned up to

Status
Not open for further replies.
I wonder why you said "Mickey mouse" case is possible but unlikely when it's timeless counterfactual, so the two contrasting concepts of unlikeliness and counterfactulity seemed to be there. I'm sorry!!
You are saying it's timeless counterfactual. All I said was, " it's possible but unlikely".

Counterfactuality is just the extreme of unlikeliness - zero probability.

If one of your colleagues turned up to a serious business meeting dressed as Mickey Mouse, it’s likely you’d remember the funny incident a month later...
A hypothetical situation which could (however unlikely that might be) occur in the future.

If one of your colleagues were here now, dressed as Mickey Mouse we'd both wonder what was going on.
A hypothetical situation which does not exist. The situation of your colleague being here now, dressed as Mickey Mouse, is counterfactual.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Ask a Teacher

If you have a question about the English language and would like to ask one of our many English teachers and language experts, please click the button below to let us know:

(Requires Registration)
Back
Top