If the ice of Greenland and Antartica were to melt, the sea

Question

If the ice of Greenland and Antartica were to melt, the sea level would rise at least 100 feet or more. 

A. If the ice of Greenland and Antartica were to melt, the sea level would rise at least 100 feet or more.
B. Were the ice of Greenland and Antartica to melt, the sea level would rise at least 100 feet.
C. Was the ice of Greenland and Antartica to melt, the sea level would rise at least 100 feet or more.
D. If the ice of Greenland and Antartica was melting, the sea level would rise at least 100 feet.
E. Should the ice of Greenland and Antartica melt, the sea level would rise at least 100 feet or more.

Don't forget to include your explanations.

Praetorian · Answer

Subjunctive , pitts, read about subjunctive mood

this is a hypothetical situation.

correct verb is "were"..not "was"

also, atleast is enough...we dont need "atleast 100 feet or more"

B is best.

good enough?

thanks
praetorian

pitts20042006 · Answer

I posted this question because the answer given is D :cry:

.. which has to be wrong. Thanks for confirming that. Also wanted to know, what if A reads "If the ice of Greenland and Antartica were to melt, the sea level would rise at least 100 feet. " Then which one is better A or B??

Praetorian · Answer

Frankly, i didnt like B too much. i wouldnt write this sentence like this.
But as is , B is indeed the better choice.

i really think ...in D, "were" should have been there. 
Where'd you get this?

In this case, A would be the best.

Good questions..
Do keep posting
praetorian

mbamantra · Answer

hey when there is a hypothetical situation we have to use "were", irrespective of plural or singular subject.

A is correct and idomatic.

Praetorian · Answer

Hmm...i see A has "atleast 100 feet  or more "

i think  or more  is redundant.

 "Atleast 100 feet"  is enough.

thanks
praetorian

stolyar · Answer

Agree with B although I have read that such constructions as WERE IT TO DO is less preferable than is IF IT WERE TO DO. However, among the given options, B is the best.

abisurd · Answer

I was going through this questioon today, and marked E as the answer. I believe if people are not really happy with B, perhaps another look at E would help. I feel its the best way to put the sentence.

Any reasons why E should not be the correct choice?

krish · Answer

Any sentence formation with redundancy " atleast 100 feet or more" is wrong. "atleast 100 feet" means even that "or more".

I am very sure that B is not a way a subjunctive formation should me. 

A would have been the best way to handle subjunctive, but it is redundant in a way.

I am choosing B because it doesnt harm any rule even though sentence structure is slightly new.. 

My choice is B

Praetorian · Answer

IMO, "atleast 100 feet  or more  " is incorrect... Atleast 100 feet is good enough. We dont need "or more" 

thats why E may not be correct

Thanks
Praetorian

abisurd · Answer

Thanks Paret

dj · Answer

the only choices possible are B and D. 

B entails a subjunctive clause. Subjuctive is used for a supposition or  what is contrary . 
eg: If I were ten years younger, I would consider entering the marathon.

D has the indicative. 
When the situation described by the if clause is not presupposed to be false, however, that clause must contain an indicative verb. -- courtesy bartleby.

D provides a situation that will result in another. D should be it.

lastochka · Answer

I also put B down and remain unclear with why D is correct. DJ's explanation didn't clear this up...

If the ice of Greenland and Antartica were to melt, the sea

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