1
   

He will/would meet her when she is free.

 
 
Reply Thu 5 May, 2016 05:43 am
He would meet her when she is free.
He will meet her when she is free.

Are both sentences correct? If so, what is the difference in meaning?

Thanks.
  • Topic Stats
  • Top Replies
  • Link to this Topic
Type: Question • Score: 1 • Views: 517 • Replies: 3
No top replies

 
Setanta
 
  1  
Reply Thu 5 May, 2016 06:04 am
Both are correct. The first sentence implies a condition: "He would meet her when she is free . . . if . . ." Without more context, it is not possible so say if it were correct to have used "would." As an example: "He would meet her when she is free, if she were still interested." After a condition, one uses the subjunctive mood (in this case, "were"). It is also used in clauses following a clause that expresses a doubt, a wish, regret, request, demand, or proposal. So, i used the subjunctive mood in the sentence "Without more context, it is not possible to say if it were correct to have used 'would'."--because a doubt is expressed.
tanguatlay
 
  1  
Reply Thu 5 May, 2016 06:14 am
@Setanta,
Thanks, Setanta.
0 Replies
 
Setanta
 
  1  
Reply Thu 5 May, 2016 06:19 am
You're welcome.

I might add that many, probably most native speakers of English don't use the subjunctive mood, and many, perhaps even most of them don't know it is. If you use "was" or "is" rather than "were," most native speakers probably won't even notice.
0 Replies
 
 

Related Topics

Is this comma splice? Is it proper? - Question by DaveCoop
Is this sentence grammatically correct? - Question by Sydney-Strock
Is the second "playing needed? - Question by tanguatlay
should i put "that" here ? - Question by Chen Ta
Unbeknownst to me - Question by kuben123
alternative way - Question by Nousher Ahmed
Could check my grammar mistakes please? - Question by LonelyGamer
 
  1. Forums
  2. » He will/would meet her when she is free.
Copyright © 2024 MadLab, LLC :: Terms of Service :: Privacy Policy :: Page generated in 0.11 seconds on 12/23/2024 at 02:15:07