A error ID question from the blue book

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1

<p>Blue book pg. 725 num. 22</p>

<p>Some of the workers who resent the supervisor’s authority would probably feel uncomfortable if they were to acquire the independence that they demand. No Error</p>

<p>Answer: No Error</p>

<p>Why is "would probably" correct? Why isn’t it “will” instead of “would”?</p>

2

<p>NOT "will" instead of "would" because of "were to". if it was "will", then the "were to" would have to be "are". it's some sort of tense thing.</p>

3

<p>Remember this: If I were a bird, I would fly away.</p>

4

<p>Both posters above are right.</p>

<p>The "tense thing" that you'llsee mentions is called the conditional. It's used to talk about imaginary or possible situations (instead of real ones). </p>

<p>The use of "would" in the Blue Book sentence suggests that the workers in the sentence aren't going to get the independence they demand. . . just like by10804 isn't going to fly away. :)</p>

<p>If you want more information on this, you can check out the following link:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.englishclub.com/grammar/verbs-conditional.htm%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.englishclub.com/grammar/verbs-conditional.htm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>It's intended for non-native speakers, but it's quite clear and comprehensive.</p>

5

<p>I'm tellin' ya I can fly!</p>

6

<p>It's subjunctive. It's a hypothetical situation. They aren't actually going to acquire independence. It is just "if" they do. "would" is subjunctive mood, while "will" is just future tense of the indicative mood. (which would indicate that they were going to get that independence.)</p>