Past Tense Problem
Instead of one big Facebook, a federated social network would look like clusters of independent nodes — Mombook and Athletebook and Gamerbook — all of which could be plugged into the umbrella network when it "made" sense.

Can someone tell me why it is when it "made" sense instead of when it "makes" sense?

Thanks in advance

Question

Past Tense Problem
Instead of one big Facebook, a federated social network would look like clusters of independent nodes — Mombook and Athletebook and Gamerbook — all of which could be plugged into the umbrella network when it "made" sense.

Can someone tell me why it is when it "made" sense instead of when it "makes" sense?

Thanks in advance

Answer

Made agrees with the use of would. The whole sentence is a hypothetical situation but stated in past tense.

Answer

Thanks Jeff, that helps much. Gracias.

Answer

Honestly, both forms sound pretty normal to me.

Answers · 3

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