Busca entre varios profesores de Inglés...
Alexander
Is it correct that in “I wouldn't be sure that it was profitable in 5 years” we don't need the second “would” when talking about the future relative to “be sure”?
2 de ago. de 2026 4:40
Respuestas · 12
2
Yes, that's correct.
After expressions such as "I wouldn't be sure", "I don't think", or "I doubt", we often use the past tense to refer to a future situation from the speaker's point of view.
So:
"I wouldn't be sure that it was profitable in five years."
is perfectly natural.
You could also say:
"I wouldn't be sure that it would be profitable in five years."
if you want to emphasise the future outcome itself, but the second "would" is optional rather than required.
In other words, the first version is completely grammatical and is probably the more natural choice in everyday English.
2 de ago. de 2026 17:04
1
I agree with Gareth Todd.
2 de ago. de 2026 17:33
1
Your phrase is okay but native speakers might say "I'm not sure that it will be profitable in 5 years."
That's right, no 2nd would needed.
2 de ago. de 2026 8:19
¿No has encontrado las respuestas?
¡Escribe tus preguntas y deja que los hablantes nativos te ayuden!
Alexander
Competencias lingüísticas
Inglés, Ucraniano
Idioma de aprendizaje
Inglés
Artículos que podrían gustarte

How to Work Effectively with International Teams
10 votos positivos · 2 Comentarios

Why Do People Still Ask You to Repeat Yourself?
21 votos positivos · 11 Comentarios

Why Your English Textbooks Didn’t Prepare You for Fast-Paced Meetings
18 votos positivos · 8 Comentarios
Más artículos
