Find English Teachers
Ben
Why we use "borrowed" and don't use "borrow" in this sentence? "would you mind if I borrowed your pen?"
Hi everybody
Why do we use "borrowed" and don't use "borrow" in this sentence? "would you mind if I borrowed your pen?"
And what is the tense of this sentence?
Jul 23, 2019 4:47 PM
Comments · 4
3
There are multiple acceptable variations.
May I borrow your pen? (polite request)
Will it be OK if I borrow your pen? (type 1 conditional - not polite enough for most situations)
Would it be OK if I borrow your pen? (mixed conditional - conditional "would" of politeness)
Would it be OK if I borrowed your pen? (type 2 conditional of politeness - not a true type 2 for an unreal situation)
More examples:
Will your brother Joe be upset if I borrow his bicycle without permission? (type 1 conditional - real situation - I am thinking about taking his bicycle)
Would your brother Joe be upset if I borrowed his bicycle without permission? (type 2 conditional - unreal situation - I am not thinking about taking his bicycle)
Would your brother Joe have been upset if I had borrowed his bicycle without permission yesterday? (type 3 conditional - unreal past situation)
July 23, 2019
1
minor correction - Why DO we use "borrowed" ...
This is a type 2 conditional.
July 23, 2019
Actually it should be borrow. For instance can I borrow your pen. Do you mind if I borrow your pen. Borrowed is past tense
July 23, 2019
Oh, thanks Chris, you're right
July 23, 2019
Ben
Language Skills
Arabic (Gulf), English, Persian (Farsi), Turkish
Learning Language
English, Turkish
Articles You May Also Like

6 Ways italki Can Help You Succeed in Your School Language Classes
6 likes · 0 Comments

The Power of Storytelling in Business Communication
46 likes · 12 Comments

Back-to-School English: 15 Must-Know Phrases for the Classroom
33 likes · 7 Comments
More articles