核心问题
(A)If I had married her, I would be unhappy.
(B) If I had married her, I would have been unhappy.
句(A)主句中的动词时态是否用错?如果没有错误,那它与句(B)在意义上是否有区别?
词典解答
句(A)和句(B)都是正确的。关于这种句型中动词时态的使用问题,请见 conditional sentences of mixed time。至于句(A)与句(B)在意义上的区别,你可以从下面的译文看出来。
(A)要是当时我跟她结了婚的话,那我现在会是很不幸的。
(B)要是当时我跟她结了婚的话,那我那时会是很不幸的。
其实,句(A)中的主句和从句的动词时态搭配是很常见的。例如:
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If you had not helped them, they would still be in London. 如果你当时没有帮助过他们的话,他们现在就会仍然住在伦敦。(从句指过去时间,主句指现在时间)
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If I had taken your advice, I should be happier now. 要是那时我接受了你的忠告,我现在会幸福些。
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If the weather had been more favourable, the crops would be growing still better. 要是过去天气好一些,现在的庄稼就会长得更好一些。
(参见 subjunctive mood )