Comments

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  Tanya June 17, 2010 10:11

  Dear Freank! You are so helpful as always! Thank you very much! At las I am sure how to use Subjunctive describing some past events!
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  Frank DiSalle June 16, 2010 16:54

  Analysing your answers, I see we should use the same form in both cases and we should add some time modifier to state when it was. Is that right?
  Yes, I guess so.
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  Frank DiSalle June 16, 2010 16:52

  Tanya, when writing fiction or non-fiction , we "create" the time, by using person and tense : For example, "He awoke that day, not even thinking that the events of that day might change his life."
  OR
  "I remember thinking, when the day was over, 'I had no idea that a trip to the drug store would change my life'."
  Does that make it clearer?
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  Jeemna June 16, 2010 16:13

  Hi Tanya,
  
  Thank you Tanya, I have some question to ask you. How I can to improve pronunciation!!!
  
  Thank you!
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  Tanya June 14, 2010 14:31

  Dear Frank! Thank you very much! However, you didn't make it clearer for me!!!! As to direct speech, it is clear. But as to reported speech or just author's words it is still a question. I will ask again . Is there any difference in grammar of a predicate when we describe some moment in the past or some moment before it? Analysying your answers, I see we should use the same form in both cases and we should add some time modifier to state when it was. Is that right? You see, I do Have to know that moment althouth anyone pay no atttention to it. Thank you in advance
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  Frank DiSalle June 14, 2010 12:55

  Thank you, Tanya, for your kind words! Now, to your problem:
  
  He thought he would have called her if he had known her phone # . (at the described moment) or "would call"
  He thought he would have called her the day before if he had known her ph#.
  
  To make things easier, you might want to use quotes to separate his thoughts from our "reading present."
  
  He thought, "I would have called her the day before, if I had only known her phone number."
  
  Now we know, that in the past, he was thinking about his own past, and that a condition had been inserted
  
  The next example is easier.
  
  He was sure that if it had been him, he would have been more careful ( at that moment and before).
  
  Note the added "that" which simplifies thing immensely.
  
  
  Does that help?
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  Tanya June 14, 2010 12:05

  Dear Frank! Well, I have one serious question today. I have been searching for theright answer for many years but there are no resulys till now. I asked American professors of English but they said: "Take it easy!". Well, you are an American, needless to say that. But if you can answer to my question I will be really happy!
  
  So, here is the question.
  
  How to use Unreal conditions and Subjunctive in a manuscript (fiction, story)?
  
  For example:
  
  He thought he would have called her if he had known her phone # . (at the described moment) or "would call"
  He thought he would have called her the day before if he had known her ph#.
  
  One more example:
  
  He was sure if he were (had been) him, he would be (had been) more careful ( at that moment and before)
  
  
  
  You see, I know how to use such predicates in a dialogue. But how to show the difference between the moment we decribe and some actions in the past when we write a stoty or a fiction or whatever it is using only Past tenses?
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  Tanya June 14, 2010 11:49

  Dear Frank! I'd like to thank you on behalf of all other members of my group! You are so helpful and good willed. That's what I like about Americans. May I ask you a question, too?
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  tran tan June 14, 2010 9:42

  Nice day! my friends!
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  Frank DiSalle June 14, 2010 8:57

  To all of you have joined the Club, I am here to help you in any way I can. I was born in the United States, and I have been linguistics and languages since I was a teenager.
  You may ask me any questions you like, and will do my best to answer them for you.
  I hope, in return, to learn something about your language, whatever it might be.