Are these sentences correct in grammar?

coffeehunter

Super Member
Registered
Joined
Jul 27, 2018
Messages
130
Reaction score
2
A few sentences for now. I'll put my current sentence in "Current" and my question in "Should it be". I'll probably post more over time in this single thread.

Current: My sleeves are shorter than I’d remembered.  
Should it be: My sleeves are shorter than I remember.

Current: The class pulled out their CompXLs for the test.
Should it be: The class pulled out their CompXL's for the test.
Note: CompXL is an alternative name for this example.


Thanks!
 

Enlightened

Always Learning
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Jan 5, 2018
Messages
4,863
Reaction score
167
Location
Colorado
I would use these....

1) Depends on what tense you are using to write (Past or Present)...

I would use "I remembered" for past tense (with "these sleeves," instead of my sleeves).

Present tense: These sleeves are shorter than I remember.

2) The students used the/their CompXLs for the test.
 
Last edited:

coffeehunter

Super Member
Registered
Joined
Jul 27, 2018
Messages
130
Reaction score
2
Thanks. Regarding the first one, it's a thought in a past tense story (third person limited). Thoughts are usually present tense, so I think this fits with "I remember." He just noticed the sleeves in the story, here's the line: Strange, he thought as he wiped his tears. The sleeves are shorter than I remember.
 
Last edited:

coffeehunter

Super Member
Registered
Joined
Jul 27, 2018
Messages
130
Reaction score
2
Here's the other one that I forgot:

Current: Father would be very angry if he was to fail.
Should it be: Father would be very angry if he were to fail.
Note: Wasn't sure if was or were would be appropriate here.
 

ReadWriteRachel

Probably drinking coffee.
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Dec 18, 2013
Messages
271
Reaction score
18
Location
Hands on the keyboard.
Here's the other one that I forgot:

Current: Father would be very angry if he was to fail.
Should it be: Father would be very angry if he were to fail.
Note: Wasn't sure if was or were would be appropriate here.

Why not just "Father would be very angry if he failed"?
 

eqb

I write novels
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Feb 12, 2005
Messages
4,680
Reaction score
2,055
Location
In the resistance
Website
www.claireodell.com
...

Current: My sleeves are shorter than I’d remembered.  
Should it be: My sleeves were shorter than I'd remembered. (Though I could make a case for "I remembered" too.)

(This isn't a thought. It's the POV character telling us about their sleeves, so it should be in past tense since the rest of the story is too.)


Current: The class pulled out their CompXLs for the test.
Should it be: The class pulled out their CompXL's for the test.
Note: CompXL is an alternative name for this example.

The first version is correct. Some publishers accept apostrophe+s for plurals of acronyms, but this isn't really an acronym, so use the ordinary plural form.


Thanks!
 

Enlightened

Always Learning
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Jan 5, 2018
Messages
4,863
Reaction score
167
Location
Colorado
Here's the other one that I forgot:

Current: Father would be very angry if he was to fail.
Should it be: Father would be very angry if he were to fail.
Note: Wasn't sure if was or were would be appropriate here.

Paste Tense: Father would've (or would have) been very angry if he failed.
 

-Riv-

The much appreciated
Kind Benefactor
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Sep 3, 2014
Messages
4,442
Reaction score
2,229
Location
Pacific Northwest
Here's the other one that I forgot:

Current: Father would be very angry if he was to fail.
Should it be: Father would be very angry if he were to fail.
Note: Wasn't sure if was or were would be appropriate here.
"Were" is correct in this example (for present tense or as a direct thought).

. . . it's a thought in a past tense story (third person limited). Thoughts are usually present tense, so I think this fits with "I remember." He just noticed the sleeves in the story, here's the line: Strange, he thought as he wiped his tears. The sleeves are shorter than I remember.
This is fine as written (as a direct thought, present tense).
 
Last edited:

jwhite1979

Super Member
Registered
Joined
Jun 5, 2019
Messages
73
Reaction score
5
Location
Maine
"Were to fail" is in the subjunctive mood and therefore correct, as you are discussing a hypothetical situation.