conditional construction

[manhhiep2509]

My problem is related to question VSC002819 in GMAT Prep pack 1.
*This is a paid question, so I cannot post complete question.

(1) "Despite my boss's promise that if I finished my assignment on time I would get promoted, I did not get promoted at all"

(2) "Despite my boss's promise that if I finish my assignment on time I will get promoted, I did not get promoted at all"

Is the use of "finish" and "will" in (2) incorrect because the promise will not happen or is not a fact?

I must ask the question because I thought that the use of "finish" and "will" is wrong just because "I did not get promoted at all" has past tense.

Thank you.

[RonPurewal]

"Will" is inappropriate because you're talking about something that is no longer a possibility.

It's perfectly ok to combine "will" with the past tense, as long as that combination makes sense in context.

E.g., if Rachel is 14 years old,
Rachel's dad promised that he will buy her a car if she continues to get good grades until she turns 16.
--> If Rachel is still getting good grades, this is the only correct way to write this sentence. The use of "would", if Rachel has not yet turned 16, would imply that the promise will no longer be fulfilled (e.g., Rachel let her grades slip, or her dad no longer has the money to buy her a car).