Who could have known

[Ador]

A country’s army has killed two people of B country’s. When one of my friends heard this news he became overwhelmed. The reason is, this type of incident didn’t take place before. Because he thought that A country’s army don’t have guts to attack like this because their army is not so powerful like China, Usa, Russia etc. So he posted a Facebook status like this –

“Who could have known that they (B country) will encounter this day!”

Is this sentence correct ? Or how to make this sentence sound more pleasing to ear?

 

[Tdol]

Who could have known that they would have found themselves in this situation?

 

[Ador]

Who could have known that they would have found themselves in this situation?

Can I write it like this "Who could have known that they would meet this day!"

 

[GoesStation]

Can I write it like this "Who could have known that they would meet this day!"

No. You don't meet an experience.

 

[Tarheel]

A country’s army has killed two citizens of B country.. When one of my friends heard this news he became overwhelmed. The reason is, this type of incident hadn't happened before. Because he thought that A country’s army didn't have the guts to attack like this because their army isn't as powerful as China's, America's, Russia's etc. So he posted a Facebook status like this –

“Who could have known that they (B country) will encounter this day!”

Is this sentence correct ? Or how to make this sentence sound more pleasing to ear?

Perhaps:

Who could have imagined that would ever happen?

 

[Ador]

Perhaps:

Who could have imagined that would ever happen?

"Tarheel" could you please explain to me why you used "past perfect" instead of "past indefinite"?

 

[Tarheel]

I don't think you understand how native speakers do things. We don't make those kinds of choices. We just choose the words we think are best. (Don't you do that in your native language?)

Sometimes I am more or less forced to think in terms of grammar, but frankly, jutfrank is better at that than I am.

 

[Tdol]

Who would have thought that this day would come?

 

[Ador]

They are not past perfect.

Past perfect is constructed with had and the third form (past participle) of a verb.

The forms you asked about are usually known as modal perfect forms.

I didn't hear that before. I know that these are modal (may, might, can, could, shall, should, will, would, must). Could you please explain it when and why to use it?

 

[Ador]

Sorry, Ador, but that's far too big a topic to cover in one thread.

Could you please tell me where I can get explanation about this topic?

 

[Ador]

I don't think you understand how native speakers do things. We don't make those kinds of choices. We just choose the words we think are best. (Don't you do that in your native language?)

Sometimes I am more or less forced to think in terms of grammar, but frankly, jutfrank is better at that than I am.

I know "Tarheel". If I were in your place I would also do the same. But the reason why I asked you about that is I don't want to do the same mistake again. I just wanted to clear my concept.

 

[emsr2d2]

I know, Tarheel (no quotation marks are needed round a username). If I were in your place, I would [STRIKE]also[/STRIKE] do the same. [STRIKE]But[/STRIKE] The reason [STRIKE]why[/STRIKE] I asked you about that is that I don't want to [STRIKE]do[/STRIKE] make the same mistake again. I just wanted to [STRIKE]clear[/STRIKE] understand [STRIKE]my[/STRIKE] the concept.

Please note my corrections above. The most important ones are that we don't say "The reason why" and that we say "make a mistake", not "do a mistake".

I suggest you invest in a good English grammar book (preferably one that includes exercises) in order to study this broad topic.

 

[jutfrank]

Which 'topic' are we talking about here? Perfect modals?

Ador, you may be unaware that your Facebook friend has used a perfect modal in the original sentence: Who could have known ...

And so did Tdol in his suggested improvement:

Who would have thought that this day would come?

 

[Ador]

Which 'topic' are we talking about here? Perfect modals?

Ador, you may be unaware that your Facebook friend has used a perfect modal in the original sentence: Who could have known ...

And so did Tdol in his suggested improvement:

I know about perfect modals. But I didn't hear that this "hadn't happened" is a perfect modal.

 

[Tdol]

"past indefinite"

Terminology is a nightmare as different people describe the same thing in different ways, but it is a long time since I heard past indefinite used. Is that the standard term in Bangladesh? I actually had to check what it was to make sure it wasn't the imperfect. I am interested because I like to use the form people are familiar with. If people want to use preterite, I'll use that, though that predates my schooling a long time ago.

 

[Tarheel]

Thank goodness I'm not the only one. (One reason I couldn't have chosen between past perfect and past indefinite is I don't know what past indefinite is.)

 

[Tdol]

Enjoy: https://www.usingenglish.com/poll/1228.html

They're all used, and the list is not claiming to be comprehensive.

 

[jutfrank]

In the EFL/ESL/ESOL etc. industries, 'past simple' is the generally preferred term.