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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?

JK2
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    I don't think this is backshifting in the usual sense. More like a way of edging can and wait towards an irrealis meaning. –  May 29 '19 at 05:48
  • Yes, that's what I took you to mean by it in the question (because otherwise backshifting is not a 'reason', just a redescription of what you've observed). –  May 29 '19 at 06:10
  • It may be the right term, I don't know - I was just explaining what I'd assumed you meant. I find I'd appreciate it if you wait marginal. I'd appreciate it if you'd wait and I'd appreciate it if you waited are fine for me, and are equivalent. It's the same for the modal verbs really. I think it's the would after appreciate requiring what follows to be marked as something that is merely envisaged. I'd appreciate it if you were to wait does not sound wrong to me exactly, but it does sound stilted. –  May 29 '19 at 07:01
  • @JK2 sorry, I hadn't read it properly. I'd say that until is normally followed by a verb in the present or present perfect (when it relates to a future time) and what licenses the past tenses in (2) and (3) is could and waited. For me, the past tense is not required in either case, and to use it implies a counterfactual. That said, if it is not a counterfactual I would put the previous verb in the present tense or use modal + infinitive, as in (1). –  May 30 '19 at 03:51
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1 Answers1

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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.'

Jeremy Beers
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