Can I replace “was” by “had been” here?
I have got two sentences and I want to know whether they make sense gramatically or not.
1) I would surely have crashed the car if I was driving at the time you called me.
2)I would surely have crashed the car if I had been driving at the time you called me.
Both these sentences convey the same meaning though I'd like to know whether "was" can be replaced by "had been" in sentences like this.
P.S- these sentences are not from my grammar work book.
Thank you
grammar usage conditionals
asked yesterday
user8718165user8718165
101
add a comment |
I have got two sentences and I want to know whether they make sense gramatically or not.
1) I would surely have crashed the car if I was driving at the time you called me.
2)I would surely have crashed the car if I had been driving at the time you called me.
Both these sentences convey the same meaning though I'd like to know whether "was" can be replaced by "had been" in sentences like this.
P.S- these sentences are not from my grammar work book.
Thank you
grammar usage conditionals
asked yesterday
user8718165user8718165
101
Alternate possibility: "...if I were driving at the time..." using subjunctive to show that this is hypothetical, contrary to fact.
– GEdgar
yesterday
add a comment |
I have got two sentences and I want to know whether they make sense gramatically or not.
1) I would surely have crashed the car if I was driving at the time you called me.
2)I would surely have crashed the car if I had been driving at the time you called me.
Both these sentences convey the same meaning though I'd like to know whether "was" can be replaced by "had been" in sentences like this.
P.S- these sentences are not from my grammar work book.
Thank you
grammar usage conditionals
asked yesterday
user8718165user8718165
101
I have got two sentences and I want to know whether they make sense gramatically or not.
1) I would surely have crashed the car if I was driving at the time you called me.
2)I would surely have crashed the car if I had been driving at the time you called me.
Both these sentences convey the same meaning though I'd like to know whether "was" can be replaced by "had been" in sentences like this.
P.S- these sentences are not from my grammar work book.
Thank you
grammar usage conditionals
grammar usage conditionals
asked yesterday
user8718165user8718165
101
asked yesterday
user8718165user8718165
101
asked yesterday
user8718165user8718165
101
asked yesterday
user8718165user8718165
101
asked yesterday
user8718165user8718165
101
101
Alternate possibility: "...if I were driving at the time..." using subjunctive to show that this is hypothetical, contrary to fact.
– GEdgar
yesterday
add a comment |
Alternate possibility: "...if I were driving at the time..." using subjunctive to show that this is hypothetical, contrary to fact.
– GEdgar
yesterday
Alternate possibility: "...if I were driving at the time..." using subjunctive to show that this is hypothetical, contrary to fact.
– GEdgar
yesterday
Alternate possibility: "...if I were driving at the time..." using subjunctive to show that this is hypothetical, contrary to fact.
– GEdgar
yesterday
add a comment |
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
The past form must be replaced with the 'past perfect' form. (This is not a true 'perfect', but a past unreal: the 'perfect' construction marks it as past.)
Both clauses in a conditional construction must be cast in the same real/unreal modality. Since your consequence (then) clause is cast as would have crashed, a past unreal construction, your condition (if) clause must also be cast as an unreal construction, had been driving.
answered yesterday
StoneyBStoneyB
65k3114215
Thanks a ton! Moreover, could "were" be used as suggested by GEdgar in a comment as this is a hypothetical situation?
– user8718165
yesterday
@user8718165 You will encounter this sometimes in casual speech, but technically no: were there would be a past form employed as a present unreal, not a past.
– StoneyB
yesterday
@ StoneyB "were there would be a past form employed as a present unreal, not a past" I'm afraid I didn't get this part. Could you please give an example...I'm sure I'll get it.
– user8718165
yesterday
@user8718165 If I were driving [i.e. at any time] I would crash the car [at that time]. This is a 'generic' present, an unreal version of "If I drive I will crash the car." The perfect construction shifts this into the past: If I had been driving [yesterday] I would have crashed the car [yesterday].
– StoneyB
23 hours ago
Thank you very much. My lack of privilege is the reason I'm not able to upvote.I accepted your excellent answer though.
– user8718165
23 hours ago
add a comment |
(I would comment but I don't have enough reputation yet.)
Your question is a question concerning tense.
Both of these happen in the past, but "was driving" is in the past tense while "had been driving" is in the past perfect tense. This question has already been answered here: Replacing past perfect tense with past tense
answered yesterday
TawiskaruTawiskaru
111
New contributor
Tawiskaru is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
I think I asked about usage of tenses with conditionals and to be specific, for this case...I mean for sentences like this.
– user8718165
yesterday
add a comment |
(2) is not only possible, it's the correct version. If I had been X I would have done Y.
answered yesterday
Kate BuntingKate Bunting
6,53331518
add a comment |
Your Answer
StackExchange.ready(function() {
var channelOptions = {
tags: "".split(" "),
id: "97"
};
initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);
StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function() {
// Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled) {
StackExchange.using("snippets", function() {
createEditor();
});
}
else {
createEditor();
}
});
function createEditor() {
StackExchange.prepareEditor({
heartbeatType: 'answer',
autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
convertImagesToLinks: false,
noModals: true,
showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
reputationToPostImages: null,
bindNavPrevention: true,
postfix: "",
imageUploader: {
brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
allowUrls: true
},
noCode: true, onDemand: true,
discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
});
}
});
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function () {
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fenglish.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f491226%2fcan-i-replace-was-by-had-been-here%23new-answer', 'question_page');
}
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
The past form must be replaced with the 'past perfect' form. (This is not a true 'perfect', but a past unreal: the 'perfect' construction marks it as past.)
Both clauses in a conditional construction must be cast in the same real/unreal modality. Since your consequence (then) clause is cast as would have crashed, a past unreal construction, your condition (if) clause must also be cast as an unreal construction, had been driving.
answered yesterday
StoneyBStoneyB
65k3114215
Thanks a ton! Moreover, could "were" be used as suggested by GEdgar in a comment as this is a hypothetical situation?
– user8718165
yesterday
@user8718165 You will encounter this sometimes in casual speech, but technically no: were there would be a past form employed as a present unreal, not a past.
– StoneyB
yesterday
@ StoneyB "were there would be a past form employed as a present unreal, not a past" I'm afraid I didn't get this part. Could you please give an example...I'm sure I'll get it.
– user8718165
yesterday
@user8718165 If I were driving [i.e. at any time] I would crash the car [at that time]. This is a 'generic' present, an unreal version of "If I drive I will crash the car." The perfect construction shifts this into the past: If I had been driving [yesterday] I would have crashed the car [yesterday].
– StoneyB
23 hours ago
Thank you very much. My lack of privilege is the reason I'm not able to upvote.I accepted your excellent answer though.
– user8718165
23 hours ago
add a comment |
The past form must be replaced with the 'past perfect' form. (This is not a true 'perfect', but a past unreal: the 'perfect' construction marks it as past.)
Both clauses in a conditional construction must be cast in the same real/unreal modality. Since your consequence (then) clause is cast as would have crashed, a past unreal construction, your condition (if) clause must also be cast as an unreal construction, had been driving.
answered yesterday
StoneyBStoneyB
65k3114215
Thanks a ton! Moreover, could "were" be used as suggested by GEdgar in a comment as this is a hypothetical situation?
– user8718165
yesterday
@user8718165 You will encounter this sometimes in casual speech, but technically no: were there would be a past form employed as a present unreal, not a past.
– StoneyB
yesterday
@ StoneyB "were there would be a past form employed as a present unreal, not a past" I'm afraid I didn't get this part. Could you please give an example...I'm sure I'll get it.
– user8718165
yesterday
@user8718165 If I were driving [i.e. at any time] I would crash the car [at that time]. This is a 'generic' present, an unreal version of "If I drive I will crash the car." The perfect construction shifts this into the past: If I had been driving [yesterday] I would have crashed the car [yesterday].
– StoneyB
23 hours ago
Thank you very much. My lack of privilege is the reason I'm not able to upvote.I accepted your excellent answer though.
– user8718165
23 hours ago
add a comment |
The past form must be replaced with the 'past perfect' form. (This is not a true 'perfect', but a past unreal: the 'perfect' construction marks it as past.)
Both clauses in a conditional construction must be cast in the same real/unreal modality. Since your consequence (then) clause is cast as would have crashed, a past unreal construction, your condition (if) clause must also be cast as an unreal construction, had been driving.
answered yesterday
StoneyBStoneyB
65k3114215
The past form must be replaced with the 'past perfect' form. (This is not a true 'perfect', but a past unreal: the 'perfect' construction marks it as past.)
Both clauses in a conditional construction must be cast in the same real/unreal modality. Since your consequence (then) clause is cast as would have crashed, a past unreal construction, your condition (if) clause must also be cast as an unreal construction, had been driving.
answered yesterday
StoneyBStoneyB
65k3114215
answered yesterday
StoneyBStoneyB
65k3114215
answered yesterday
StoneyBStoneyB
65k3114215
answered yesterday
StoneyBStoneyB
65k3114215
65k3114215
Thanks a ton! Moreover, could "were" be used as suggested by GEdgar in a comment as this is a hypothetical situation?
– user8718165
yesterday
@user8718165 You will encounter this sometimes in casual speech, but technically no: were there would be a past form employed as a present unreal, not a past.
– StoneyB
yesterday
@ StoneyB "were there would be a past form employed as a present unreal, not a past" I'm afraid I didn't get this part. Could you please give an example...I'm sure I'll get it.
– user8718165
yesterday
@user8718165 If I were driving [i.e. at any time] I would crash the car [at that time]. This is a 'generic' present, an unreal version of "If I drive I will crash the car." The perfect construction shifts this into the past: If I had been driving [yesterday] I would have crashed the car [yesterday].
– StoneyB
23 hours ago
Thank you very much. My lack of privilege is the reason I'm not able to upvote.I accepted your excellent answer though.
– user8718165
23 hours ago
add a comment |
Thanks a ton! Moreover, could "were" be used as suggested by GEdgar in a comment as this is a hypothetical situation?
– user8718165
yesterday
@user8718165 You will encounter this sometimes in casual speech, but technically no: were there would be a past form employed as a present unreal, not a past.
– StoneyB
yesterday
@ StoneyB "were there would be a past form employed as a present unreal, not a past" I'm afraid I didn't get this part. Could you please give an example...I'm sure I'll get it.
– user8718165
yesterday
@user8718165 If I were driving [i.e. at any time] I would crash the car [at that time]. This is a 'generic' present, an unreal version of "If I drive I will crash the car." The perfect construction shifts this into the past: If I had been driving [yesterday] I would have crashed the car [yesterday].
– StoneyB
23 hours ago
Thank you very much. My lack of privilege is the reason I'm not able to upvote.I accepted your excellent answer though.
– user8718165
23 hours ago
Thanks a ton! Moreover, could "were" be used as suggested by GEdgar in a comment as this is a hypothetical situation?
– user8718165
yesterday
Thanks a ton! Moreover, could "were" be used as suggested by GEdgar in a comment as this is a hypothetical situation?
– user8718165
yesterday
@user8718165 You will encounter this sometimes in casual speech, but technically no: were there would be a past form employed as a present unreal, not a past.
– StoneyB
yesterday
@user8718165 You will encounter this sometimes in casual speech, but technically no: were there would be a past form employed as a present unreal, not a past.
– StoneyB
yesterday
@ StoneyB "were there would be a past form employed as a present unreal, not a past" I'm afraid I didn't get this part. Could you please give an example...I'm sure I'll get it.
– user8718165
yesterday
@ StoneyB "were there would be a past form employed as a present unreal, not a past" I'm afraid I didn't get this part. Could you please give an example...I'm sure I'll get it.
– user8718165
yesterday
@user8718165 If I were driving [i.e. at any time] I would crash the car [at that time]. This is a 'generic' present, an unreal version of "If I drive I will crash the car." The perfect construction shifts this into the past: If I had been driving [yesterday] I would have crashed the car [yesterday].
– StoneyB
23 hours ago
@user8718165 If I were driving [i.e. at any time] I would crash the car [at that time]. This is a 'generic' present, an unreal version of "If I drive I will crash the car." The perfect construction shifts this into the past: If I had been driving [yesterday] I would have crashed the car [yesterday].
– StoneyB
23 hours ago
Thank you very much. My lack of privilege is the reason I'm not able to upvote.I accepted your excellent answer though.
– user8718165
23 hours ago
Thank you very much. My lack of privilege is the reason I'm not able to upvote.I accepted your excellent answer though.
– user8718165
23 hours ago
add a comment |
(I would comment but I don't have enough reputation yet.)
Your question is a question concerning tense.
Both of these happen in the past, but "was driving" is in the past tense while "had been driving" is in the past perfect tense. This question has already been answered here: Replacing past perfect tense with past tense
answered yesterday
TawiskaruTawiskaru
111
New contributor
Tawiskaru is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
I think I asked about usage of tenses with conditionals and to be specific, for this case...I mean for sentences like this.
– user8718165
yesterday
add a comment |
(I would comment but I don't have enough reputation yet.)
Your question is a question concerning tense.
Both of these happen in the past, but "was driving" is in the past tense while "had been driving" is in the past perfect tense. This question has already been answered here: Replacing past perfect tense with past tense
answered yesterday
TawiskaruTawiskaru
111
New contributor
Tawiskaru is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
I think I asked about usage of tenses with conditionals and to be specific, for this case...I mean for sentences like this.
– user8718165
yesterday
add a comment |
(I would comment but I don't have enough reputation yet.)
Your question is a question concerning tense.
Both of these happen in the past, but "was driving" is in the past tense while "had been driving" is in the past perfect tense. This question has already been answered here: Replacing past perfect tense with past tense
answered yesterday
TawiskaruTawiskaru
111
New contributor
Tawiskaru is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
(I would comment but I don't have enough reputation yet.)
Your question is a question concerning tense.
Both of these happen in the past, but "was driving" is in the past tense while "had been driving" is in the past perfect tense. This question has already been answered here: Replacing past perfect tense with past tense
answered yesterday
TawiskaruTawiskaru
111
New contributor
Tawiskaru is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered yesterday
TawiskaruTawiskaru
111
New contributor
Tawiskaru is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered yesterday
TawiskaruTawiskaru
111
answered yesterday
TawiskaruTawiskaru
111
111
New contributor
Tawiskaru is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Tawiskaru is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Tawiskaru is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
I think I asked about usage of tenses with conditionals and to be specific, for this case...I mean for sentences like this.
– user8718165
yesterday
add a comment |
I think I asked about usage of tenses with conditionals and to be specific, for this case...I mean for sentences like this.
– user8718165
yesterday
I think I asked about usage of tenses with conditionals and to be specific, for this case...I mean for sentences like this.
– user8718165
yesterday
I think I asked about usage of tenses with conditionals and to be specific, for this case...I mean for sentences like this.
– user8718165
yesterday
add a comment |
(2) is not only possible, it's the correct version. If I had been X I would have done Y.
answered yesterday
Kate BuntingKate Bunting
6,53331518
add a comment |
(2) is not only possible, it's the correct version. If I had been X I would have done Y.
answered yesterday
Kate BuntingKate Bunting
6,53331518
add a comment |
(2) is not only possible, it's the correct version. If I had been X I would have done Y.
answered yesterday
Kate BuntingKate Bunting
6,53331518
(2) is not only possible, it's the correct version. If I had been X I would have done Y.
answered yesterday
Kate BuntingKate Bunting
6,53331518
answered yesterday
Kate BuntingKate Bunting
6,53331518
answered yesterday
Kate BuntingKate Bunting
6,53331518
answered yesterday
Kate BuntingKate Bunting
6,53331518
6,53331518
add a comment |
add a comment |
Thanks for contributing an answer to English Language & Usage Stack Exchange!
- Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!
But avoid …
- Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.
- Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.
To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function () {
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fenglish.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f491226%2fcan-i-replace-was-by-had-been-here%23new-answer', 'question_page');
}
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Alternate possibility: "...if I were driving at the time..." using subjunctive to show that this is hypothetical, contrary to fact.
– GEdgar
yesterday