subjunctive followed by indicative

Question

I have a question about the use of the subjunctive in this sentence: If all the schools were to implement this program, which now exists only in the lower grades, then five years from now we will not have parents complaining that their teen-aged children still can't read.
There are a lot of internet examples that follow this pattern. Example: If that were to happen, then we will take appropriate action.
Would it be better to substitute "would" for "will" in both examples, or "should" for "were to"?

Anne Victory · Answer

I would go with one of two sentences, but mixing the two like this isn't correct. Either:
"If all the schools were to implement this program, which now exists only in the lower grades, then five years from now we would not have parents complaining that their teen-aged children still can't read."
Or:
"If all the schools implement this program, which now exists only in the lower grades, then five years from now we will not have parents complaining that their teen-aged children still can't read." (remove were to)

subjunctive followed by indicative

One Answer

Add your own answers!

Ask a Question