I'm unsure if you noticed, Audiendus, that the thread began four years ago, so you may not receive a reply. Just thought I'd let you know in case you didn't realise.

Yes, there is a contrast. But the correct form of the above sentence is "...but just not the best...", not "...but this is just not the best...". Interesting that you say this. Why do you think it is a reduction of your sentence and not mine, Audiendus? Because the contrast is b...

1. I left home early to make sure I had extra time in case I got lost. 2. I left home early to make sure I would have extra time in case I would get lost. 3. I left home early to make sure I would have extra time in case I got lost. Which are acceptable? Do you think they differ in meaning? I know ...

Thanks guys. I agree the repeated words make it clumsy. Yes, there is a contrast. But the correct form of the above sentence is "...but just not the best...", not "...but this is just not the best...". Interesting that you say this. Why do you think it is a reduction of your sent...

This is not a complete waste of time, just not the best use of our time. 1) Would you say this sentence is reserved for informal writing? To me, it is reduced from the following: This is not a complete waste of time, (but) this is just not the best use of time. Perhaps the conjunction was never the...

A question that came to me today: are we discussing written or spoken English here? In several of the example sentences, especially where I said I'd use "do," the tone of voice and intonation will play a role in how the sentence is understood. A drawn out "Weelll, if I dooo accept......

If I was (not were) to accept their offer—which I’m still considering—I would have to start the new job on May 2. Perhaps I just a lazy American, but in this one I'd tend to avoid the whole question and go for "If I do accept ... I'll have to start...". were to is an example of future sub...

I assume these are examples of what you mean by how the greater context influences the tense of the main clause? He was asked to leave the gallery. He refused to go until he saw all the pictures. He was asked to leave the gallery. He refused to go until he had seen all the pictures. He enjoyed the a...

How is this different from what I said, Sap? This past perfect is also required because of the past simple in the main clause. In this case, we're indicating that one action preceded another by using the two different tenses (sequence of tense). would you not decide to use the past perfect because y...

Is this the conclusion we have come to? --When deciding the aspect/tense of the subordinate clause , sometimes, as with the example I just gave, the choice is based on when that action happenes in relation to the action in the main clause. --When deciding the aspect/tense of the main clause , usuall...

The reason this sentence uses the past indicative is because it expresses something that is still possible. The subjunctive is used only if there is no possibility of it happening. Of course, there are some who disagree and believe the subjunctive is used both for counterfactual statements and for s...

Don't you agree? Yes, I agree... that is not always the deciding factor Say if you wrote this sentence, would you not decide to use the past perfect because you want to show the temporal relationship between the two attached clause? I had no money, because I had lost my wallet. This is called seque...

you choose verb tenses within a set of rules

And I don't see why you keep implying that I'm following rules. I'm not. I'm choosing the tense based on the meaning. When does this action happen comapred to the other action?

To show that action happened before the action in the subordinate. This is from a site: We use the past perfect simple to talk about what happened before a point in the past. It looks back from a point in the past to further in the past. •I hadn't known the bad news when I spoke to him. It is used f...

This is the best explanation I have read on the distinction: Note, however, that they are traditional rules. Nowadays, according to many, the distinction is one of formality, not one of moods. According to traditional rules, you use the subjunctive to describe an occurrence that you have presupposed...