teleostomi
12-08-2006, 01:31 AM
With the explosion of telecommunications in our modern world, we now have more TV channels than ever before, including some which broadcast only news, 24 hours a day, from all corners of the planet. In the not-too-distant past, if a boy in Hokkaido killed his parents, it would have been big news in his area but probably not in Kyushu. By contrast, now such a crime would surely be reported nationwide and perhaps in some other countries, as well.
(1) if a boy had killed his parents, it would have been big news
(2) if a boy killed his parents, it would have been big news
Which would be better? Don't you think (2) isn't consistent in that the main clause is subctive but the if-clause is not.
(1) if a boy had killed his parents, it would have been big news
(2) if a boy killed his parents, it would have been big news
Which would be better? Don't you think (2) isn't consistent in that the main clause is subctive but the if-clause is not.