Hello experts - was curious, what is the differnece in meaning (from a verb tense) issue
Today's date (Present tense) : December 14th 2021
Statement by JD on December 14th 2021 : (i) Samantha said last month, she came to my wedding
vs
Statement by JD on December 14th 2021 : (ii) Samantha said last month, she would come to my wedding
vs
Statement by JD on December 14th 2021 : (iii) Samantha said last month, she will come to my wedding
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- JbhB682
- Course Students
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- Joined: Fri May 16, 2014 2:13 pm
Tense issue
Last edited by JbhB682 on Tue Dec 14, 2021 11:36 am, edited 1 time in total.
- JbhB682
- Course Students
- Posts: 520
- Joined: Fri May 16, 2014 2:13 pm
Re: Tense issue
I understand in (i) -- the wedding has taken place BEFORE December 14th 2021
What about (ii) and (iii) ?
Has the wedding actually TAKEN PLACE before December 14th 2021 ?
I think (iii) indicates the wedding WIL TAKE PLACE after December 14th 2021 but not sure
What about (ii) and (iii) ?
Has the wedding actually TAKEN PLACE before December 14th 2021 ?
I think (iii) indicates the wedding WIL TAKE PLACE after December 14th 2021 but not sure
- TiffanyB
- ManhattanGMAT Staff
- Posts: 41
- Joined: Mon Dec 30, 2019 4:13 pm
Re: Tense issue
Hello JbhB682!
There is some great information about verb tenses in our book, All the Verbal. Check out chapter 8 specifically to read further.
Statement by JD on December 14th 2021 : (i) Samantha said last month, she came to my wedding --> This indicates that Samantha's statement is in the past and the wedding took place in the past.
Statement by JD on December 14th 2021 : (ii) Samantha said last month, she would come to my wedding --> This is called the conditional mood, which is used to talk about the future FROM the past. Example: I told my mom that I would mow the lawn tomorrow.
Statement by JD on December 14th 2021 : (iii) Samantha said last month, she will come to my wedding --> This is incorrect. To use "she will come to my wedding," Samantha's statement needs to occur in the present. Example: Samantha says that she will come to my wedding.
Note that ALL of the statements above are also currently incorrect because they need "that" to complete the Subject - Verb - THAT - Subject - Verb structure. Example: Samantha said THAT she came to my wedding.
There is some great information about verb tenses in our book, All the Verbal. Check out chapter 8 specifically to read further.
Statement by JD on December 14th 2021 : (i) Samantha said last month, she came to my wedding --> This indicates that Samantha's statement is in the past and the wedding took place in the past.
Statement by JD on December 14th 2021 : (ii) Samantha said last month, she would come to my wedding --> This is called the conditional mood, which is used to talk about the future FROM the past. Example: I told my mom that I would mow the lawn tomorrow.
Statement by JD on December 14th 2021 : (iii) Samantha said last month, she will come to my wedding --> This is incorrect. To use "she will come to my wedding," Samantha's statement needs to occur in the present. Example: Samantha says that she will come to my wedding.
Note that ALL of the statements above are also currently incorrect because they need "that" to complete the Subject - Verb - THAT - Subject - Verb structure. Example: Samantha said THAT she came to my wedding.
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