Найди преподавателей языка: английский
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?
23 июля 2019 г., 16:47
Комментариев · 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)
23 июля 2019 г.
1
minor correction - Why DO we use "borrowed" ...

This is a type 2 conditional.

23 июля 2019 г.
Actually it should be borrow. For instance can I borrow your pen. Do you mind if I borrow your pen. Borrowed is past tense
23 июля 2019 г.
Oh, thanks Chris, you're right
23 июля 2019 г.
Ben
Языковые навыки
арабский (диалект Персидского залива), английский, персидский (фарси), турецкий
Изучаемый язык
английский, турецкий