What's new

Would you please check my sentences? (Mainly on the subjunctive Mood)

hirashin

Sempai
Donor
8 Apr 2004
2,720
63
63
Hello, native English speakers,
Would you please check my sentences?
A
1 If it were not for air , nobody could live.
2 If it had not been for his advice, I would have lost the game.
3 If it were not for your help, we could not get to the village. [arrive inもOK]
4 If it had not been for the accident, he would have become a top player.

B
1 If it were not for your help, I would fail in the project.
2 If it were not for the coach's advice, I could not beat him.
3 If it had not been for this book, I would have failed in the exam.
4 If it had not been for the doctor, I would not be alive now.

C
1 Tom is really strong. He could move that big rock.
2 Without the light and heat of the sun, every living thing on Earth would die.
3 Even a child could solve this problem. It's so easy!
4 He's not trustworthy. I would not lend any money to him.
5 A real/true gentleman would not act/behave like that.
6 With a little more care, you wouldn't have made such a foolish mistake.

D
1 Without his help/assistance, I would not have finished/completed this job/work.
2a Without the rain, we could have arrived at the top of the mountain.
2b Without the rain, we could have got to the top of the mountain.
2c Without the rain, we could have reached the top of the mountain.
3 Mike would have acted/behaved like that.
4a A real/true friend would not do such a thing.
4b A real/true friend would not do a thing like that.

Thanks in advance.
 
A3 If it were not for your help, we could not get to the village. [arrive inもOK]
...could not have got to the village (more natural than ...could not have arrived in the village)

B2 If it were not for the coach's advice, I could not beat him.
...could not have beaten him

The others are OK.

I feel sorry for you having to teach this to your low-level students.
 
Thank you for your great help,Lothor.
A3 If it were not for your help, we could not get to the village. [arrive inもOK]
...could not have got to the village (more natural than ...could not have arrived in the village)

B2 If it were not for the coach's advice, I could not beat him.
...could not have beaten him

How about these? Would they sound strange, too?
A3-1 If it were not for your help, we would not be able to get to the village.
B2-1 If it were not for the coach's advice, I would not be able to beat him.

The others are OK.

I feel sorry for you having to teach this to your low-level students.

Thank you for saying that. I'm glad to know that someone understands my situation. I wish I could teach students who are willing to learn English. (Does this use of "could" sound right?)

Hirashin
 
Yes, both sentences OK, as well as your use of 'could'.
Actually, that may be the most useful and easiest point to teach your students, try getting them to make some 'I wish I could' sentences.
 
Back
Top Bottom