Reply
Tue 24 Mar, 2015 11:05 am
I have read something like this: If Mr. X walked into a TV studio and said "I propose that you schedule a daily show about algebra," he would get laughed out of the room.
Well, if that studio WOULD HAVE LAUGHED at Mr. X,what would they say to Ms. Y, who wants to schedule a TV show about the even less popular subject of English grammar?
Is "would have laughed" being used correctly in that sentence?
@Nousher Ahmed,
Well, if that studio LAUGHED at Mr. X, what would they say to Ms. Y, who wants to schedule a TV show about the even less popular subject of English grammar?
(The studio audience had already laughed, so it's in the past)
@Nousher Ahmed,
Aside: A studio doesn't laugh. The people in the studio laugh.
@Nousher Ahmed,
Always beware of conditional sentences. I had one once, and no sooner had they arrested me for driving without a license than that "conditional" sentence put me straight in jail for six whole months.
@Nousher Ahmed,
Quote:Is "would have laughed" being used correctly in that sentence?
Yes.
If it had already happened, you would write "had laughed".
Since it's supposition/hypothetical, you would write "would have laughed".
Correct.
Algebra has nothing to do with grammar, it's part of maths.
Stumble It!
Tweet This
Bookmark on Delicious
Share on Facebook
Share on MySpace