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one would expect the doctor to retire

English Language & Usage Asked on November 17, 2020

  1. After spending so many years working in hospitals, one would expect the doctor to have retired.

  2. After spending so many years working in hospitals, one would expect the doctor to retire.

Q1) Do they both mean the same?

Q2) What is the subject of "spending". Is it "one" or is it "the doctor"? In other words, is this a case of "dangling modifier"?

One Answer

The meanings are as follows but the words in bold need not be said/written, as they are implied in the tense of the verb

  1. After spending so many years working in hospitals, one would expect the doctor to have already retired.

  2. After spending so many years working in hospitals, one would expect the doctor to retire at sometime between now and the near future."

Q2) What is the subject of "spending".

Spending does not have a clear subject because you have not given sufficient context.

Correct answer by Greybeard on November 17, 2020

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