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If then

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z3nith
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If then [#permalink] New post   Updated on: 25 Mar 2013, 20:12
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Hi All,
I am confused with the differnce in meaning of these conditional statements.

a) If X n Y met, they discussed GMAT
b) if X n Y met, they would discuss GMAT
c) If X n Y had met, they would have discussed GMAT.

IMO :
a) Not Sure.
b) X n Y meeting is a future event and if that happens then the discussion is an unlikely consequence of meeting.
c) X n Y meeting is a past event that didnt occur. if this meeting would have happened then GMAT discussion would have taken place.

Please let me know if I am correct and What does (a) means.

Thanks much !!!

Originally posted by z3nith on 25 Mar 2013, 09:16.
Last edited by z3nith on 25 Mar 2013, 20:12, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: If then [#permalink] New post   25 Mar 2013, 14:53
IMO
a) should be If X n Y met, they discuss GMAT
if they meet, they discuss GMAT (making it the purpose of their meeting)
Saying discussed as in the original sentence mean discussion happened. So I would prefer When X n Y met, they discussed GMAT
your understanding of b) and c) looks fine to me....
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Re: If then [#permalink] New post   26 Mar 2013, 11:19
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The keyword here is "IF"

When you suggest something potentially happening in the future - you need the CONDITIONAL form:

You really only have 2 options for PAST framework and 2 options for PRESENT Framework.

We cover this in detail in our Framework #9 (https://www.gmatpill.com/special/verbal/ ... work09.php)

If they meet: (PRESENT)
1) they will discuss
2) they will have discussed (grammatically ok, but meaning-wise doesn't really make sense).

or

If they met: (PAST)
1) they would discuss
2) they would have discussed

The first option you presented:

"a) If X n Y met, they discussed GMAT" - doesn't fit the framework. Because you need a conditional verb tense - you can only go with one of the 4 options presented above. You cannot simply say "If they met, they discussed GMAT" - you need either WILL or WOULD - in there, depending on the verb tense of "meet"
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z3nith
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Re: If then [#permalink] New post   26 Mar 2013, 12:17
gmatpill wrote:
The keyword here is "IF"

When you suggest something potentially happening in the future - you need the CONDITIONAL form:

You really only have 2 options for PAST framework and 2 options for PRESENT Framework.

We cover this in detail in our Framework #9 (https://www.gmatpill.com/special/verbal/ ... work09.php)

If they meet: (PRESENT)
1) they will discuss
2) they will have discussed (grammatically ok, but meaning-wise doesn't really make sense).

or

If they met: (PAST)
1) they would discuss
2) they would have discussed

The first option you presented:

"a) If X n Y met, they discussed GMAT" - doesn't fit the framework. Because you need a conditional verb tense - you can only go with one of the 4 options presented above. You cannot simply say "If they met, they discussed GMAT" - you need either WILL or WOULD - in there, depending on the verb tense of "meet"




Thanks . I dont have access to the web link you posted. Let me know if it is possible to share the credentials.
Secondly, about the first statement


" If X n Y met, they discussed GMAT " this is a sentence from MGMAT SC guide.

the actual sentence is " If Chris and Jad met, they discussed mathematics"
and explanation says ---

The first sentence could be said by someone who is unsure whether Chris and Jad have
actually met: "If this did indeed happen, then that is the consequence."


Thoughts ?
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Re: If then [#permalink] New post   26 Mar 2013, 12:56
gmatpill wrote:
The keyword here is "IF"

When you suggest something potentially happening in the future - you need the CONDITIONAL form:

You really only have 2 options for PAST framework and 2 options for PRESENT Framework.

We cover this in detail in our Framework #9 (https://www.gmatpill.com/special/verbal/ ... work09.php)

If they meet: (PRESENT)
1) they will discuss
2) they will have discussed (grammatically ok, but meaning-wise doesn't really make sense).

or

If they met: (PAST)
1) they would discuss
2) they would have discussed

The first option you presented:

"a) If X n Y met, they discussed GMAT" - doesn't fit the framework. Because you need a conditional verb tense - you can only go with one of the 4 options presented above. You cannot simply say "If they met, they discussed GMAT" - you need either WILL or WOULD - in there, depending on the verb tense of "meet"

Can you please explain the usage of "When". Thanks.
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Re: If then [#permalink]
26 Mar 2013, 12:56

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