The time will come when you will regret having said that.

hirashin · 25 Feb 2017

Would all of the sentences below be used?
(a) The time will come when you regret having said that.
(b) The time will come when you will regret having said that.
(c) The time will come when you would regret having said that.

If so, are there any difference in meaning between each of them?

Thanks in advance.

Hirashin

PaulTB · 25 Feb 2017

hirashin said:
(c) The time will come when you would regret having said that.

I think that one is odd, because the tense doesn't match between will and would.

If so, are there any difference in meaning between each of them?

I think that (b) would be understood as identical to (a); with the second will left unsaid.

No fancy analysis today - It's only 7am.

hirashin · 25 Feb 2017

Thanks, PaulTB.
Can (a) and (b) be used interchangeably?
In that case, can you omit "will"?

PaulTB · 25 Feb 2017

hirashin said:
Can (a) and (b) be used interchangeably?
In that case, can you omit "will"?

Well, I certainly wouldn't hesitate to use it without the second 'will'. As with most cases, omitting a word makes it slightly less formal and it may be better not to use it in an English exam. There is certainly no difference in meaning between the two.

hirashin · 25 Feb 2017

Can you also say these two?
(a') The time when you regret having said that will come.
(b') The time when you will regret having said that will come.

Hirashin

PaulTB · 25 Feb 2017

hirashin said:
Can you also say these two?
(a') The time when you regret having said that will come.
(b') The time when you will regret having said that will come.

Thinking about those two gives me a headache. Hmm, ... I think if it was "A time ..." instead of "The time ..." it would be a bit more natural. I still wouldn't recommend them much.

hirashin · 26 Feb 2017

Oh, sorry about the headache.
(a) and (b) are much more natural, aren't they?

How about these? Would both be used?
(c) The day will come when there will be no war.
(d) The day will come when there is no war.

Hirashin

The time will come when you will regret having said that.

hirashin

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PaulTB

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hirashin

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PaulTB

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PaulTB

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