Google
English-Test.net
Find penpals and make new friends today!
 
part of a chair; rear part of the human body
worry
remit
back
furniture
TOEIC practice test: Interactive word games: Free Online Noun Quiz Answer
 
Username
Password
 Remember me? 
Search   FAQ   Memberlist   Profile   Private messages   Register   Log in 

"would have been" vs "would"



 
ESL/EFL Worksheets and Handouts for Students Printable, photocopiable, clearly structured
Designed for teachers and individual learners
For use in a classroom, at home, on your PC
ESL Forums | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
meaning of the words value and skill | Words: sow, lug and mow
Listening exercises
Message
Author
"would have been" vs "would" #1 (permalink) Fri Sep 28, 2007 13:18 pm   "would have been" vs "would"
 

Hi everyone,
I'd like to ask a question about the usage of would/would have been. Here is the passage (I have already asked one question concerning it).

Tapping her earpiece, Annabella linked to her aunt and uncle. She usually had dinner with them once a week, and that once would have been two days hence. It would have been nice to do it more often, but her schedule barely allowed for the once.

Can would be used in this instance instead of would have been, i.e. it would be nice to do it more often? I think the author is referring to the present in the past, not the past in the past.
Klpno
I'm here quite often ;-)


Joined: 17 Jun 2007
Posts: 385

"would have been" vs "would" #2 (permalink) Fri Sep 28, 2007 23:29 pm   "would have been" vs "would"
 

.
Yes, I think 'would be' would work instead of 'would have been' in both slots, but the implication changes. 'Would' suggests that it may still be possible to schedule dinner with them more often sometime in the future, but 'would have been' presents the inevitability of never doing so.
.
_________________
Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's
Mister Micawber
Language Coach
Mr. Micawber

Joined: 17 Jul 2005
Posts: 7426
Location: Yokohama, Japan

Start exploring the English language today! Subscribe to free email English courseEnglish grammar exercises — improve your English knowledge and vocabulary skillsLearn to use the present simple with the help of this short storyAre you a native speaker of English? Then you should read this!
"would have been" vs "would" #3 (permalink) Sat Sep 29, 2007 0:23 am   "would have been" vs "would"
 

I understand the point now. Thank you very much, Mister Micawber!!!
Klpno
I'm here quite often ;-)


Joined: 17 Jun 2007
Posts: 385

Display posts from previous:   
meaning of the words value and skill | Words: sow, lug and mow
ESL Forums | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms "would have been" vs "would" All times are GMT + 1 Hour
Page 1 of 1
Latest topics on ESL EFL Forums
Phrase 'take themselves too seriously'the phrase "result in"more friendly vs friendlierWhat's a "Fragment"?call comebody on mobile phonemeaning 'as of late'What/how do you think of me?passive sentence with present continuous'We are living in globalization' vs 'We live in globalization'A sentence pattern with negative meaning confuses meI wish I would do v.s. I wish I didExcerpt: Look my eyes are just holograms...the meaning of injuredWhen can't we use present progressive as future?Is or Are (Visiting customers and listening to them is/are the basis for...)Meaning of "Cut somebody for a lion share"When are compound nouns an adjective with a noun?before -ing and after -ing"would have been" vs "would"

Discover English-test.net
Difference between 'nod out' and 'nod off'Accept an apologY, but present apologiES?[REQ] Translation studies - Text reducing techniques - help...pay attention or don't carePCAT test: Vocabulary Words: Example of Nouns Adjectives VerbsPCAT test: Word games: Free Online Noun Adjective Verb GameDefine metabolism, macula, premature, formaldehyde, priapism, ileum, uvula, ovarianLearning to speak Portuguese: Pimsleur Portuguese Continental EuropeanEsl prepositions: Gerund or Infinitive

 
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Subscribe to FREE email English course
First name E-mail