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I'd appreciate it if + + until +

English Language & Usage Asked on July 2, 2021

These three examples have the same construction of

I’d appreciate it if you + past tense verb + … + until + subject + present or past tense verb…

The first one has the present tense verb finish after until whereas the other two have the past tense verbs got and were:

From the movie ‘Kingsman’ (video clip):

(1) Listen boys, I’ve had a rather emotional day. So whatever your beef with Eggsy is, I’d appreciate it enormously if you could leave us in peace until I finish this lovely pint of Guinness.

From the book “The Ultimate Plan: A Financial Survival Guide for Life’s Unexpected Events“:

(2) So if you must have an attack, I’d appreciate it if you could wait until we got to Broadway.

From the book “Touching Darkness: Number 2 in series“:

(3) ‘Still, Melissa,’ he said, ‘this is a classroom, and I’d appreciate it if you waited until you were out in the hall before turning that thing on.’

Note that all the verbs after until (finish, got, and were) describe a future situation.

Can you have the past tense verb finished in (1)?

Also, can you have the present tense verbs get and are in (2) and (3), respectively?

Is there a rule that determines the tense of the verbs after until?

One Answer

Can you have the past tense verb finished in (1)?

Yes, but usually you would add the word "have."

Listen boys, I’ve had a rather emotional day. So whatever your beef with Eggsy is, I’d appreciate it enormously if you could leave us in peace until I have finished this lovely pint of Guinness.

Also, can you have the present tense verbs get and are in (2) and (3), respectively?

Yes, you can. No modification needed, it is the same.

So if you must have an attack, I'd appreciate it if you could wait until we get to Broadway.

'Still, Melissa,' he said, 'this is a classroom, and I'd appreciate it if you waited until you are out in the hall before turning that thing on.'

Answered by Jeremy Beers on July 2, 2021

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