Past and present together: "Wanted+will+begin"

[Tom]

[Alan]

Hi Tom,

Let's put a timetable on this sentence:

He wanted to discuss details about the size and geographic issues they will have to address before construction can begin.

He wanted (last week) to discuss details about ......they will (at some future date) .... before construction can begin (whenever it is possible for construction to begin)

A
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[Tom]

Many, many thanks, Alan. Now I understand why!

...but if I have to use the same sentence for someone who lived two hundred years ago...! Do you think it's OK now?

1-He wanted to discuss details about the size and geographic issues they would have to address before construction could begin.

Tom

PS: Could you please also tell me the difference between construction and the construction in the sentence??

[Pamela]

Hi Tom
Using "the" suggests the definite construction of smth that was already mentioned. Construction with zero article suggests generality(it in general)

I'm sure Alan will correct me if necessary.

[NinaZara]

Tom,
Why do you suggest 'would' and 'could'?Is it because they are the past form of will and can?

As far as I know would and could have their own meaning in terms of when we use them but not because they are the past forms of will and can.

Please correct me if I'm wrong, just want to make sure that I understand them correctly.

Cheers