| 词组 | past verb form with present or future meaning |
| 释义 | Contents overview past verb form with present or future meaningpast tense: instead of would ... after conjunctionspast tense: instead of would ... after conjunctions instead of would . . . after conjunctions 46.11131846 past verb form with present or future meaningA past tense does not always have a past meaning. In some kinds of sentence we can use verbs like I had, you went or I was wondering to talk about the present or future.1after conjunctions, instead of would: If I paid now …In most subordinate clauses (e.g. after if, supposing, wherever, what), we use past tenses (and not would …) to express 'unreal' or conditional ideas (231.6).If I had the money now I'd buy a car.If you caught the ten o'clock train tomorrow, you would be in Edinburgh by supper-time, unless the train was delayed, of course.Supposing we didn't go abroad next year?Would you follow me wherever I went?In a perfect world, you would be able to say exactly what you thought.Ten o'clock – it's time (that) you went home. (502)Don't come and see me today – I'd rather (that) you came tomorrow. (566.3)I wish (that) I had a better memory. (632.4)2distancing in questions, requests, etc: I wondered if …We can make questions, requests and offers less direct (and so more polite) by using past tenses. (For more about 'distancing' of this kind, 311.) Common formulae are I wondered, I thought, I hoped, did you want. (311.1.)I wondered if you were free this evening.I thought you might like some flowers.Did you want cream with your coffee, sir?Past progressive forms (I was thinking/wondering/hoping, etc) make sentences even less direct. (311.2)I was thinking about that idea of yours.I was hoping we could have dinner together.3'past' modals: could, might, would, shouldThe 'past' modal forms could, might, would and should usually have present or future reference; they are used as less direct, 'distanced' forms of can, may, will and shall. (311.4)Could you help me for a moment?I think it might rain soon.Would you come this way, please?Alice should be here soon.4past focus on continuing situations: It was such a nice placeIf we are talking about the past, we often use past tenses even for things which are still true and situations which still exist.Are you deaf? I asked how old you were.I'm sorry we left Liverpool. It was such a nice place.Do you remember that nice couple we met in Greece? They were German, weren't they?I got this job because I was a good driver.James applied to join the police last week, but he wasn't tall enough.For more indirect speech examples, 259, 263.Previous Next |
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英语用法大全包含1354条英语用法指南，基本涵盖了全部常用英文词汇及语法点的翻译及用法，是英语学习的有利工具。