“He would have done anything you [would ask/would have asked/had asked] him to”
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I want to say "He'll do anything you ask him to" but in the past tense, as that was the case 10 years ago, but he's not like that anymore. Which of the following should I use?
- He would have done anything you would ask him to!
- He would have done anything you would have asked him to!
- He would have done anything you had asked him to!
Which is correct or otherwise preferable?
word-choice grammaticality verb-agreement simple-past
edited Sep 12 at 17:32
RegDwigнt♦
82.5k31281377
asked Aug 13 at 12:12
J.J.
11
bumped to the homepage by Community♦ 9 mins ago
This question has answers that may be good or bad; the system has marked it active so that they can be reviewed.
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
favorite
I want to say "He'll do anything you ask him to" but in the past tense, as that was the case 10 years ago, but he's not like that anymore. Which of the following should I use?
- He would have done anything you would ask him to!
- He would have done anything you would have asked him to!
- He would have done anything you had asked him to!
Which is correct or otherwise preferable?
word-choice grammaticality verb-agreement simple-past
edited Sep 12 at 17:32
RegDwigнt♦
82.5k31281377
asked Aug 13 at 12:12
J.J.
11
bumped to the homepage by Community♦ 9 mins ago
This question has answers that may be good or bad; the system has marked it active so that they can be reviewed.
4
They're all way too "complicated". Just Simple Past will do fine - Back then, he would / he'd do anything you asked [him to].
– FumbleFingers
Aug 13 at 12:41
1
Yeah I was about to say. "He would have done had would have asked have had him do anything you have had would have done would have". Like, who even talks like that. Who even writes like that. Nobody, ever, that's who. He'd do anything you asked, but even he would never write like that.
– RegDwigнt♦
Aug 13 at 12:45
From FumbleFingers answer, I've realized your question might be a bit ambiguous. FF's answer is the right one, if that's the meaning you're looking for. Your answer 3 is also correct, but functions like a past conditional. It's implicit that you didn't ask him to do something. Perhaps it's too late now: it's a pity, because he would have done anything you had asked him.
– S Conroy
Aug 13 at 13:11
1
I got it thanks so much S Conroy
– J.J.
Aug 13 at 13:23
FumbleFingers' answer is only clear if you keep the "back then". Say you only said "He would do anything you asked him to" can also means he would now do it. "If you asked me help you, I would do it." This doesn't necessarily refer to the past. I'm trying to think if there's a tense or construction you can use without specifying a point in time such as "back then".
– Zebrafish
Aug 13 at 13:30
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
favorite
up vote
0
down vote
favorite
I want to say "He'll do anything you ask him to" but in the past tense, as that was the case 10 years ago, but he's not like that anymore. Which of the following should I use?
- He would have done anything you would ask him to!
- He would have done anything you would have asked him to!
- He would have done anything you had asked him to!
Which is correct or otherwise preferable?
word-choice grammaticality verb-agreement simple-past
edited Sep 12 at 17:32
RegDwigнt♦
82.5k31281377
asked Aug 13 at 12:12
J.J.
11
I want to say "He'll do anything you ask him to" but in the past tense, as that was the case 10 years ago, but he's not like that anymore. Which of the following should I use?
- He would have done anything you would ask him to!
- He would have done anything you would have asked him to!
- He would have done anything you had asked him to!
Which is correct or otherwise preferable?
word-choice grammaticality verb-agreement simple-past
word-choice grammaticality verb-agreement simple-past
edited Sep 12 at 17:32
RegDwigнt♦
82.5k31281377
asked Aug 13 at 12:12
J.J.
11
edited Sep 12 at 17:32
RegDwigнt♦
82.5k31281377
asked Aug 13 at 12:12
J.J.
11
edited Sep 12 at 17:32
RegDwigнt♦
82.5k31281377
edited Sep 12 at 17:32
RegDwigнt♦
82.5k31281377
edited Sep 12 at 17:32
RegDwigнt♦
82.5k31281377
82.5k31281377
asked Aug 13 at 12:12
J.J.
11
asked Aug 13 at 12:12
J.J.
11
asked Aug 13 at 12:12
J.J.
11
11
bumped to the homepage by Community♦ 9 mins ago
This question has answers that may be good or bad; the system has marked it active so that they can be reviewed.
bumped to the homepage by Community♦ 9 mins ago
This question has answers that may be good or bad; the system has marked it active so that they can be reviewed.
4
They're all way too "complicated". Just Simple Past will do fine - Back then, he would / he'd do anything you asked [him to].
– FumbleFingers
Aug 13 at 12:41
1
Yeah I was about to say. "He would have done had would have asked have had him do anything you have had would have done would have". Like, who even talks like that. Who even writes like that. Nobody, ever, that's who. He'd do anything you asked, but even he would never write like that.
– RegDwigнt♦
Aug 13 at 12:45
From FumbleFingers answer, I've realized your question might be a bit ambiguous. FF's answer is the right one, if that's the meaning you're looking for. Your answer 3 is also correct, but functions like a past conditional. It's implicit that you didn't ask him to do something. Perhaps it's too late now: it's a pity, because he would have done anything you had asked him.
– S Conroy
Aug 13 at 13:11
1
I got it thanks so much S Conroy
– J.J.
Aug 13 at 13:23
FumbleFingers' answer is only clear if you keep the "back then". Say you only said "He would do anything you asked him to" can also means he would now do it. "If you asked me help you, I would do it." This doesn't necessarily refer to the past. I'm trying to think if there's a tense or construction you can use without specifying a point in time such as "back then".
– Zebrafish
Aug 13 at 13:30
add a comment |
4
They're all way too "complicated". Just Simple Past will do fine - Back then, he would / he'd do anything you asked [him to].
– FumbleFingers
Aug 13 at 12:41
1
Yeah I was about to say. "He would have done had would have asked have had him do anything you have had would have done would have". Like, who even talks like that. Who even writes like that. Nobody, ever, that's who. He'd do anything you asked, but even he would never write like that.
– RegDwigнt♦
Aug 13 at 12:45
From FumbleFingers answer, I've realized your question might be a bit ambiguous. FF's answer is the right one, if that's the meaning you're looking for. Your answer 3 is also correct, but functions like a past conditional. It's implicit that you didn't ask him to do something. Perhaps it's too late now: it's a pity, because he would have done anything you had asked him.
– S Conroy
Aug 13 at 13:11
1
I got it thanks so much S Conroy
– J.J.
Aug 13 at 13:23
FumbleFingers' answer is only clear if you keep the "back then". Say you only said "He would do anything you asked him to" can also means he would now do it. "If you asked me help you, I would do it." This doesn't necessarily refer to the past. I'm trying to think if there's a tense or construction you can use without specifying a point in time such as "back then".
– Zebrafish
Aug 13 at 13:30
4
4
They're all way too "complicated". Just Simple Past will do fine - Back then, he would / he'd do anything you asked [him to].
– FumbleFingers
Aug 13 at 12:41
They're all way too "complicated". Just Simple Past will do fine - Back then, he would / he'd do anything you asked [him to].
– FumbleFingers
Aug 13 at 12:41
1
1
Yeah I was about to say. "He would have done had would have asked have had him do anything you have had would have done would have". Like, who even talks like that. Who even writes like that. Nobody, ever, that's who. He'd do anything you asked, but even he would never write like that.
– RegDwigнt♦
Aug 13 at 12:45
Yeah I was about to say. "He would have done had would have asked have had him do anything you have had would have done would have". Like, who even talks like that. Who even writes like that. Nobody, ever, that's who. He'd do anything you asked, but even he would never write like that.
– RegDwigнt♦
Aug 13 at 12:45
From FumbleFingers answer, I've realized your question might be a bit ambiguous. FF's answer is the right one, if that's the meaning you're looking for. Your answer 3 is also correct, but functions like a past conditional. It's implicit that you didn't ask him to do something. Perhaps it's too late now: it's a pity, because he would have done anything you had asked him.
– S Conroy
Aug 13 at 13:11
From FumbleFingers answer, I've realized your question might be a bit ambiguous. FF's answer is the right one, if that's the meaning you're looking for. Your answer 3 is also correct, but functions like a past conditional. It's implicit that you didn't ask him to do something. Perhaps it's too late now: it's a pity, because he would have done anything you had asked him.
– S Conroy
Aug 13 at 13:11
1
1
I got it thanks so much S Conroy
– J.J.
Aug 13 at 13:23
I got it thanks so much S Conroy
– J.J.
Aug 13 at 13:23
FumbleFingers' answer is only clear if you keep the "back then". Say you only said "He would do anything you asked him to" can also means he would now do it. "If you asked me help you, I would do it." This doesn't necessarily refer to the past. I'm trying to think if there's a tense or construction you can use without specifying a point in time such as "back then".
– Zebrafish
Aug 13 at 13:30
FumbleFingers' answer is only clear if you keep the "back then". Say you only said "He would do anything you asked him to" can also means he would now do it. "If you asked me help you, I would do it." This doesn't necessarily refer to the past. I'm trying to think if there's a tense or construction you can use without specifying a point in time such as "back then".
– Zebrafish
Aug 13 at 13:30
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
up vote
0
down vote
He would do anything you asked him to.
"Would" is the past tense of "will".
answered Aug 13 at 13:05
Steve Smith
1655
This still isn't clear it's referring back to the past. Take for example: "I would do anything you asked me to." I'm not sure there's a simple way to do this clearly without adding extra information as FumbleFingers did, with "back then he would do..."
– Zebrafish
Aug 13 at 13:45
To Zebrafish Whats then the difference between these two?
– J.J.
Aug 13 at 14:34
I would have done anything you HAD ASKED me to! & I would do anything you asked me to!
– J.J.
Aug 13 at 14:34
@J.J. The first is referring to the past, the second is referring to now. Things are complicated though, because you can't tell always from the tense used. "would have done" in grammars is called the conditional perfect or past conditional. "I would do" is called the simple conditional or present conditional. However just to make things more confusing, there's nothing conditional about the following sentence: "I would wash the dishes and he would rinse them." This likely means some time ago I washed the dishes and he rinsed them."
– Zebrafish
Aug 14 at 1:46
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
I can't think of the employment of a tense, which conveys your intended meaning. The closest I can get to one is:
"He would have done anything you asked him to."
Though this may not be totally immune to misconstrual, as it may suggest contingency on a condition.
"He would have done anything (if condition were true) you asked him
to."
It's true as others have suggested that it's simpler to say:
"He would do anything you asked him to."
But this isn't totally unambiguous, as evidenced by the meaning apparent in:
"I would do anything you asked me to."
This doesn't necessarily refer to the past. "Would" doesn't have to refer to the past, eg.: "I would go but I don't have the money".
And "asked" doesn't necessarily refer to the past either, as evidenced by its meaning in:
"If you asked me to jump off a bridge, I'd tell you to go to hell."
It's possible that the most clear way of conveying your desired meaning is to do what FumbleFingers said in their comment, that is, qualify the sentence with extra information as to a time you're referring to:
"Back then, he would do anything you asked him."
- Courtesy of
FumbleFingers.
By specifically including "back then", you make an implication that the statement you make applied earlier, but no longer does. But this is an implication, not a necessity.
answered Aug 13 at 14:22
Zebrafish
8,64421332
Shouldn't it be 'He would have done anything you had asked him to'?
– J.J.
Aug 13 at 14:38
And what's the difference between these sentences?
– J.J.
Aug 13 at 14:39
I would have done anything you HAD ASKED me to! & I would do anything you asked me to!
– J.J.
Aug 13 at 14:39
@J.J. First of all, I don't see any of your examples as being wrong, though I agree with what's said in the comments that it can and should be simplified, maybe how FumbleFingers suggested. Secondly, I don't know of any rule that's violated by not matching tenses between clauses or within a sentence. Examples: "I did what you've requested." "I've done what you requested." "I've done what you had requested." Finally, as to your question of what's the difference between the two, the first is saying "I would have done" (before), and the second means "I would do" (now).
– Zebrafish
Aug 14 at 1:37
@J.J. I know it's complicated, it's complicated even for me. If I look up what the difference is between the simple past, present perfect or past perfect(pluperfect) the meanings given are often not in consonance with the English I hear or speak, (either formally or informally).
– Zebrafish
Aug 14 at 1:42
|
show 1 more comment
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
0
down vote
He would do anything you asked him to.
"Would" is the past tense of "will".
answered Aug 13 at 13:05
Steve Smith
1655
This still isn't clear it's referring back to the past. Take for example: "I would do anything you asked me to." I'm not sure there's a simple way to do this clearly without adding extra information as FumbleFingers did, with "back then he would do..."
– Zebrafish
Aug 13 at 13:45
To Zebrafish Whats then the difference between these two?
– J.J.
Aug 13 at 14:34
I would have done anything you HAD ASKED me to! & I would do anything you asked me to!
– J.J.
Aug 13 at 14:34
@J.J. The first is referring to the past, the second is referring to now. Things are complicated though, because you can't tell always from the tense used. "would have done" in grammars is called the conditional perfect or past conditional. "I would do" is called the simple conditional or present conditional. However just to make things more confusing, there's nothing conditional about the following sentence: "I would wash the dishes and he would rinse them." This likely means some time ago I washed the dishes and he rinsed them."
– Zebrafish
Aug 14 at 1:46
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
He would do anything you asked him to.
"Would" is the past tense of "will".
answered Aug 13 at 13:05
Steve Smith
1655
This still isn't clear it's referring back to the past. Take for example: "I would do anything you asked me to." I'm not sure there's a simple way to do this clearly without adding extra information as FumbleFingers did, with "back then he would do..."
– Zebrafish
Aug 13 at 13:45
To Zebrafish Whats then the difference between these two?
– J.J.
Aug 13 at 14:34
I would have done anything you HAD ASKED me to! & I would do anything you asked me to!
– J.J.
Aug 13 at 14:34
@J.J. The first is referring to the past, the second is referring to now. Things are complicated though, because you can't tell always from the tense used. "would have done" in grammars is called the conditional perfect or past conditional. "I would do" is called the simple conditional or present conditional. However just to make things more confusing, there's nothing conditional about the following sentence: "I would wash the dishes and he would rinse them." This likely means some time ago I washed the dishes and he rinsed them."
– Zebrafish
Aug 14 at 1:46
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
He would do anything you asked him to.
"Would" is the past tense of "will".
answered Aug 13 at 13:05
Steve Smith
1655
He would do anything you asked him to.
"Would" is the past tense of "will".
answered Aug 13 at 13:05
Steve Smith
1655
answered Aug 13 at 13:05
Steve Smith
1655
answered Aug 13 at 13:05
Steve Smith
1655
answered Aug 13 at 13:05
Steve Smith
1655
1655
This still isn't clear it's referring back to the past. Take for example: "I would do anything you asked me to." I'm not sure there's a simple way to do this clearly without adding extra information as FumbleFingers did, with "back then he would do..."
– Zebrafish
Aug 13 at 13:45
To Zebrafish Whats then the difference between these two?
– J.J.
Aug 13 at 14:34
I would have done anything you HAD ASKED me to! & I would do anything you asked me to!
– J.J.
Aug 13 at 14:34
@J.J. The first is referring to the past, the second is referring to now. Things are complicated though, because you can't tell always from the tense used. "would have done" in grammars is called the conditional perfect or past conditional. "I would do" is called the simple conditional or present conditional. However just to make things more confusing, there's nothing conditional about the following sentence: "I would wash the dishes and he would rinse them." This likely means some time ago I washed the dishes and he rinsed them."
– Zebrafish
Aug 14 at 1:46
add a comment |
This still isn't clear it's referring back to the past. Take for example: "I would do anything you asked me to." I'm not sure there's a simple way to do this clearly without adding extra information as FumbleFingers did, with "back then he would do..."
– Zebrafish
Aug 13 at 13:45
To Zebrafish Whats then the difference between these two?
– J.J.
Aug 13 at 14:34
I would have done anything you HAD ASKED me to! & I would do anything you asked me to!
– J.J.
Aug 13 at 14:34
@J.J. The first is referring to the past, the second is referring to now. Things are complicated though, because you can't tell always from the tense used. "would have done" in grammars is called the conditional perfect or past conditional. "I would do" is called the simple conditional or present conditional. However just to make things more confusing, there's nothing conditional about the following sentence: "I would wash the dishes and he would rinse them." This likely means some time ago I washed the dishes and he rinsed them."
– Zebrafish
Aug 14 at 1:46
This still isn't clear it's referring back to the past. Take for example: "I would do anything you asked me to." I'm not sure there's a simple way to do this clearly without adding extra information as FumbleFingers did, with "back then he would do..."
– Zebrafish
Aug 13 at 13:45
This still isn't clear it's referring back to the past. Take for example: "I would do anything you asked me to." I'm not sure there's a simple way to do this clearly without adding extra information as FumbleFingers did, with "back then he would do..."
– Zebrafish
Aug 13 at 13:45
To Zebrafish Whats then the difference between these two?
– J.J.
Aug 13 at 14:34
To Zebrafish Whats then the difference between these two?
– J.J.
Aug 13 at 14:34
I would have done anything you HAD ASKED me to! & I would do anything you asked me to!
– J.J.
Aug 13 at 14:34
I would have done anything you HAD ASKED me to! & I would do anything you asked me to!
– J.J.
Aug 13 at 14:34
@J.J. The first is referring to the past, the second is referring to now. Things are complicated though, because you can't tell always from the tense used. "would have done" in grammars is called the conditional perfect or past conditional. "I would do" is called the simple conditional or present conditional. However just to make things more confusing, there's nothing conditional about the following sentence: "I would wash the dishes and he would rinse them." This likely means some time ago I washed the dishes and he rinsed them."
– Zebrafish
Aug 14 at 1:46
@J.J. The first is referring to the past, the second is referring to now. Things are complicated though, because you can't tell always from the tense used. "would have done" in grammars is called the conditional perfect or past conditional. "I would do" is called the simple conditional or present conditional. However just to make things more confusing, there's nothing conditional about the following sentence: "I would wash the dishes and he would rinse them." This likely means some time ago I washed the dishes and he rinsed them."
– Zebrafish
Aug 14 at 1:46
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
I can't think of the employment of a tense, which conveys your intended meaning. The closest I can get to one is:
"He would have done anything you asked him to."
Though this may not be totally immune to misconstrual, as it may suggest contingency on a condition.
"He would have done anything (if condition were true) you asked him
to."
It's true as others have suggested that it's simpler to say:
"He would do anything you asked him to."
But this isn't totally unambiguous, as evidenced by the meaning apparent in:
"I would do anything you asked me to."
This doesn't necessarily refer to the past. "Would" doesn't have to refer to the past, eg.: "I would go but I don't have the money".
And "asked" doesn't necessarily refer to the past either, as evidenced by its meaning in:
"If you asked me to jump off a bridge, I'd tell you to go to hell."
It's possible that the most clear way of conveying your desired meaning is to do what FumbleFingers said in their comment, that is, qualify the sentence with extra information as to a time you're referring to:
"Back then, he would do anything you asked him."
- Courtesy of
FumbleFingers.
By specifically including "back then", you make an implication that the statement you make applied earlier, but no longer does. But this is an implication, not a necessity.
answered Aug 13 at 14:22
Zebrafish
8,64421332
Shouldn't it be 'He would have done anything you had asked him to'?
– J.J.
Aug 13 at 14:38
And what's the difference between these sentences?
– J.J.
Aug 13 at 14:39
I would have done anything you HAD ASKED me to! & I would do anything you asked me to!
– J.J.
Aug 13 at 14:39
@J.J. First of all, I don't see any of your examples as being wrong, though I agree with what's said in the comments that it can and should be simplified, maybe how FumbleFingers suggested. Secondly, I don't know of any rule that's violated by not matching tenses between clauses or within a sentence. Examples: "I did what you've requested." "I've done what you requested." "I've done what you had requested." Finally, as to your question of what's the difference between the two, the first is saying "I would have done" (before), and the second means "I would do" (now).
– Zebrafish
Aug 14 at 1:37
@J.J. I know it's complicated, it's complicated even for me. If I look up what the difference is between the simple past, present perfect or past perfect(pluperfect) the meanings given are often not in consonance with the English I hear or speak, (either formally or informally).
– Zebrafish
Aug 14 at 1:42
|
show 1 more comment
up vote
0
down vote
I can't think of the employment of a tense, which conveys your intended meaning. The closest I can get to one is:
"He would have done anything you asked him to."
Though this may not be totally immune to misconstrual, as it may suggest contingency on a condition.
"He would have done anything (if condition were true) you asked him
to."
It's true as others have suggested that it's simpler to say:
"He would do anything you asked him to."
But this isn't totally unambiguous, as evidenced by the meaning apparent in:
"I would do anything you asked me to."
This doesn't necessarily refer to the past. "Would" doesn't have to refer to the past, eg.: "I would go but I don't have the money".
And "asked" doesn't necessarily refer to the past either, as evidenced by its meaning in:
"If you asked me to jump off a bridge, I'd tell you to go to hell."
It's possible that the most clear way of conveying your desired meaning is to do what FumbleFingers said in their comment, that is, qualify the sentence with extra information as to a time you're referring to:
"Back then, he would do anything you asked him."
- Courtesy of
FumbleFingers.
By specifically including "back then", you make an implication that the statement you make applied earlier, but no longer does. But this is an implication, not a necessity.
answered Aug 13 at 14:22
Zebrafish
8,64421332
Shouldn't it be 'He would have done anything you had asked him to'?
– J.J.
Aug 13 at 14:38
And what's the difference between these sentences?
– J.J.
Aug 13 at 14:39
I would have done anything you HAD ASKED me to! & I would do anything you asked me to!
– J.J.
Aug 13 at 14:39
@J.J. First of all, I don't see any of your examples as being wrong, though I agree with what's said in the comments that it can and should be simplified, maybe how FumbleFingers suggested. Secondly, I don't know of any rule that's violated by not matching tenses between clauses or within a sentence. Examples: "I did what you've requested." "I've done what you requested." "I've done what you had requested." Finally, as to your question of what's the difference between the two, the first is saying "I would have done" (before), and the second means "I would do" (now).
– Zebrafish
Aug 14 at 1:37
@J.J. I know it's complicated, it's complicated even for me. If I look up what the difference is between the simple past, present perfect or past perfect(pluperfect) the meanings given are often not in consonance with the English I hear or speak, (either formally or informally).
– Zebrafish
Aug 14 at 1:42
|
show 1 more comment
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
I can't think of the employment of a tense, which conveys your intended meaning. The closest I can get to one is:
"He would have done anything you asked him to."
Though this may not be totally immune to misconstrual, as it may suggest contingency on a condition.
"He would have done anything (if condition were true) you asked him
to."
It's true as others have suggested that it's simpler to say:
"He would do anything you asked him to."
But this isn't totally unambiguous, as evidenced by the meaning apparent in:
"I would do anything you asked me to."
This doesn't necessarily refer to the past. "Would" doesn't have to refer to the past, eg.: "I would go but I don't have the money".
And "asked" doesn't necessarily refer to the past either, as evidenced by its meaning in:
"If you asked me to jump off a bridge, I'd tell you to go to hell."
It's possible that the most clear way of conveying your desired meaning is to do what FumbleFingers said in their comment, that is, qualify the sentence with extra information as to a time you're referring to:
"Back then, he would do anything you asked him."
- Courtesy of
FumbleFingers.
By specifically including "back then", you make an implication that the statement you make applied earlier, but no longer does. But this is an implication, not a necessity.
answered Aug 13 at 14:22
Zebrafish
8,64421332
I can't think of the employment of a tense, which conveys your intended meaning. The closest I can get to one is:
"He would have done anything you asked him to."
Though this may not be totally immune to misconstrual, as it may suggest contingency on a condition.
"He would have done anything (if condition were true) you asked him
to."
It's true as others have suggested that it's simpler to say:
"He would do anything you asked him to."
But this isn't totally unambiguous, as evidenced by the meaning apparent in:
"I would do anything you asked me to."
This doesn't necessarily refer to the past. "Would" doesn't have to refer to the past, eg.: "I would go but I don't have the money".
And "asked" doesn't necessarily refer to the past either, as evidenced by its meaning in:
"If you asked me to jump off a bridge, I'd tell you to go to hell."
It's possible that the most clear way of conveying your desired meaning is to do what FumbleFingers said in their comment, that is, qualify the sentence with extra information as to a time you're referring to:
"Back then, he would do anything you asked him."
- Courtesy of
FumbleFingers.
By specifically including "back then", you make an implication that the statement you make applied earlier, but no longer does. But this is an implication, not a necessity.
answered Aug 13 at 14:22
Zebrafish
8,64421332
answered Aug 13 at 14:22
Zebrafish
8,64421332
answered Aug 13 at 14:22
Zebrafish
8,64421332
answered Aug 13 at 14:22
Zebrafish
8,64421332
8,64421332
Shouldn't it be 'He would have done anything you had asked him to'?
– J.J.
Aug 13 at 14:38
And what's the difference between these sentences?
– J.J.
Aug 13 at 14:39
I would have done anything you HAD ASKED me to! & I would do anything you asked me to!
– J.J.
Aug 13 at 14:39
@J.J. First of all, I don't see any of your examples as being wrong, though I agree with what's said in the comments that it can and should be simplified, maybe how FumbleFingers suggested. Secondly, I don't know of any rule that's violated by not matching tenses between clauses or within a sentence. Examples: "I did what you've requested." "I've done what you requested." "I've done what you had requested." Finally, as to your question of what's the difference between the two, the first is saying "I would have done" (before), and the second means "I would do" (now).
– Zebrafish
Aug 14 at 1:37
@J.J. I know it's complicated, it's complicated even for me. If I look up what the difference is between the simple past, present perfect or past perfect(pluperfect) the meanings given are often not in consonance with the English I hear or speak, (either formally or informally).
– Zebrafish
Aug 14 at 1:42
|
show 1 more comment
Shouldn't it be 'He would have done anything you had asked him to'?
– J.J.
Aug 13 at 14:38
And what's the difference between these sentences?
– J.J.
Aug 13 at 14:39
I would have done anything you HAD ASKED me to! & I would do anything you asked me to!
– J.J.
Aug 13 at 14:39
@J.J. First of all, I don't see any of your examples as being wrong, though I agree with what's said in the comments that it can and should be simplified, maybe how FumbleFingers suggested. Secondly, I don't know of any rule that's violated by not matching tenses between clauses or within a sentence. Examples: "I did what you've requested." "I've done what you requested." "I've done what you had requested." Finally, as to your question of what's the difference between the two, the first is saying "I would have done" (before), and the second means "I would do" (now).
– Zebrafish
Aug 14 at 1:37
@J.J. I know it's complicated, it's complicated even for me. If I look up what the difference is between the simple past, present perfect or past perfect(pluperfect) the meanings given are often not in consonance with the English I hear or speak, (either formally or informally).
– Zebrafish
Aug 14 at 1:42
Shouldn't it be 'He would have done anything you had asked him to'?
– J.J.
Aug 13 at 14:38
Shouldn't it be 'He would have done anything you had asked him to'?
– J.J.
Aug 13 at 14:38
And what's the difference between these sentences?
– J.J.
Aug 13 at 14:39
And what's the difference between these sentences?
– J.J.
Aug 13 at 14:39
I would have done anything you HAD ASKED me to! & I would do anything you asked me to!
– J.J.
Aug 13 at 14:39
I would have done anything you HAD ASKED me to! & I would do anything you asked me to!
– J.J.
Aug 13 at 14:39
@J.J. First of all, I don't see any of your examples as being wrong, though I agree with what's said in the comments that it can and should be simplified, maybe how FumbleFingers suggested. Secondly, I don't know of any rule that's violated by not matching tenses between clauses or within a sentence. Examples: "I did what you've requested." "I've done what you requested." "I've done what you had requested." Finally, as to your question of what's the difference between the two, the first is saying "I would have done" (before), and the second means "I would do" (now).
– Zebrafish
Aug 14 at 1:37
@J.J. First of all, I don't see any of your examples as being wrong, though I agree with what's said in the comments that it can and should be simplified, maybe how FumbleFingers suggested. Secondly, I don't know of any rule that's violated by not matching tenses between clauses or within a sentence. Examples: "I did what you've requested." "I've done what you requested." "I've done what you had requested." Finally, as to your question of what's the difference between the two, the first is saying "I would have done" (before), and the second means "I would do" (now).
– Zebrafish
Aug 14 at 1:37
@J.J. I know it's complicated, it's complicated even for me. If I look up what the difference is between the simple past, present perfect or past perfect(pluperfect) the meanings given are often not in consonance with the English I hear or speak, (either formally or informally).
– Zebrafish
Aug 14 at 1:42
@J.J. I know it's complicated, it's complicated even for me. If I look up what the difference is between the simple past, present perfect or past perfect(pluperfect) the meanings given are often not in consonance with the English I hear or speak, (either formally or informally).
– Zebrafish
Aug 14 at 1:42
|
show 1 more comment
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4
They're all way too "complicated". Just Simple Past will do fine - Back then, he would / he'd do anything you asked [him to].
– FumbleFingers
Aug 13 at 12:41
1
Yeah I was about to say. "He would have done had would have asked have had him do anything you have had would have done would have". Like, who even talks like that. Who even writes like that. Nobody, ever, that's who. He'd do anything you asked, but even he would never write like that.
– RegDwigнt♦
Aug 13 at 12:45
From FumbleFingers answer, I've realized your question might be a bit ambiguous. FF's answer is the right one, if that's the meaning you're looking for. Your answer 3 is also correct, but functions like a past conditional. It's implicit that you didn't ask him to do something. Perhaps it's too late now: it's a pity, because he would have done anything you had asked him.
– S Conroy
Aug 13 at 13:11
1
I got it thanks so much S Conroy
– J.J.
Aug 13 at 13:23
FumbleFingers' answer is only clear if you keep the "back then". Say you only said "He would do anything you asked him to" can also means he would now do it. "If you asked me help you, I would do it." This doesn't necessarily refer to the past. I'm trying to think if there's a tense or construction you can use without specifying a point in time such as "back then".
– Zebrafish
Aug 13 at 13:30