GATE Civil 2016 Set 2 | GA | Question: 1

Question

If I were you, I _______ that laptop. It's much too expensive.

• A. won't buy
• B. shan't buy
• C. wouldn't buy
• D. would buy

Comments

In the first blank, we can either use " would buy" or "wouldn't buy" as the second statement has negative charge we will use " wouldn't buy".

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Similar case.

https://gateoverflow.in/1563/gate2013-59

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A) and C) both could be answer

right?

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No as per my knowledge C must be the answer. our first part is in past tense(although imaginary but 'were' used so past tense) and would is a past tense form of will , so would must be used.

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would buy or wouldn't buy. but as last sentence has  negative charge so it will be wouldn't, anyway won't is not correct option at all.

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Yes manu 'wouldn't'.Your reasoning is correct.We were talking about 'will not' vs 'wouldn't'.

Answer 1

If I were you, I wouldn't buy that laptop. It’s much too expensive .

you can visit this site for more knowledge about conditional sentence.http://www.myenglishpages.com/site_php_files/grammar-lesson-conditionals.php

Comments

"Won't" is the short form of "will not". 'Wouldn't" is the short form of "would not" and would is the past form of will. Won't and wouldn't are very common and informal in use, whereas will not and would not are usually formal

Answer 2

If I were you, I wouldn't buy that laptop. It’s much too expensive
option C.

Answer 3

wouldn't buy

Answer 4

If I were you, I $\text{wouldn't buy}$ that laptop.

Answer 5

Ans will be C)

For detail:https://gateoverflow.in/110868/gate2016-ce-2-ga-1

Answer 6

1. Second Conditional: Used for unreal or hypothetical situations in the present or future.
Example: If I had a million dollars, I would travel the world.

2. Subjunctive Mood: Expresses a wish, suggestion, or condition that is contrary to fact.
Example: If I were you, I would read more.

The correct answer is: C. Wouldn't buy

Explanation:

1. Structure: The sentence "If I were you, I ________ that laptop. It's much too expensive." is a second conditional statement. This structure is used for hypothetical or unreal situations in the present or future.
2. Subjunctive mood: The phrase "If I were you" uses the subjunctive mood, which is used to express conditions contrary to fact.
3. Options analysis:
   • "Won't buy" and "shan't buy" can be eliminated as they imply a definite future action, which doesn't fit the hypothetical nature of second conditionals.
   • This leaves us with "wouldn't buy" and "would buy" as potential options.
4. Context and logic:
   • The sentence ends with "It's much too expensive," indicating a negative assessment of the laptop's price.
   • This context suggests that the advice being given is against purchasing the laptop.
5. Sentence coherence:
   • "If I were you, I would buy that laptop. It's much too expensive." This combination is not correct, as it recommends buying despite the high price.
   • "If I were you, I wouldn't buy that laptop. It's much too expensive." This combination is logical and coherent, providing sound advice based on the price assessment.

Therefore, "wouldn't buy" is the most appropriate choice:
"If I were you, I wouldn't buy that laptop. It's much too expensive."

**from the information given by Claude AI as it is or edited.