Ronnie
He wouldn’t have been pleased. Different meaning?
Hello, everyone
"I didn’t tell Sam what happened. He wouldn’t have been pleased."
We know this sentence can have a coditional meaning:
=If I had told Sam what had happened, he wouldn't have been pleased.
However, I'd like to know if this sentence can also mean:
I didn’t tell Sam what happened, so he was probably not pleased.
What do you think? Thanks:)
Mar 5, 2012 12:02 PM
Answers · 6
1
Yes, it can also be read in that way. I didn't tell him. He wouldn't have been pleased (when he eventually found out) = I am sure he was not pleased.
March 5, 2012
For #2, you would say "I did not tell sam about it. He was not pleased." or "I did not tell sam about it (therefore / so / and) he was not pleased."
March 6, 2012
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Ronnie
Language Skills
Chinese (Taiwanese), English
Learning Language
English
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