Rust can deteriorate a steel pipe

[akhpad]

Rust can deteriorate a steel pipe to such an extent that it will snap easily, as though it was a twig.
A: will snap easily, as though it was a twig
B: will snap easily, like a twig does
C: will snap easily, as though it is a twig
D: might snap easily, as though it was a twig
E: will snap easily, as though it were a twig

I convinced that "as though it were" is right.But the main clause should be in past tens with conditional "would"
Please explain.

I can see 2 verbs CAN and WILL. None of them are showing uncertainty.

Is it correct because CAN is showing some short of uncertainty?

[jnelson0612]

Rust can deteriorate a steel pipe to such an extent that it will snap easily, as though it was a twig.
A: will snap easily, as though it was a twig
B: will snap easily, like a twig does
C: will snap easily, as though it is a twig
D: might snap easily, as though it was a twig
E: will snap easily, as though it were a twig

I convinced that "as though it were" is right.But the main clause should be in past tens with conditional "would"
Please explain.

I can see 2 verbs CAN and WILL. None of them are showing uncertainty.

Is it correct because CAN is showing some short of uncertainty?

Yes. The subjunctive mood is just describing a condition that is not currently factual. Rust CAN deteriorate a steel pipe indicates this exact kind of situation; it is not the case right now but can occur. Good question!

[divineacclivity]

I totally understand answer choice E & the reason, which is subjunctive mood.
But my question here is, both "might snap" as well as "will snap" could work, right? If not, please explain why
- might snap easily, as though it were a twig
- will snap easily, as though it were a twig

thanks in advance

[tim]

nothing grammatically wrong with "might"..

[divineacclivity]

Cool, just wanted to confirm. Thank you.

[tim]

no problem. good question..

[divineacclivity]

no problem. good question..

:)

[tim]

:)

[BrandonM892]

I understand that E is correct. I am interested in understanding more about LIKE vs AS.

My understanding is that you use LIKE to compare two nouns (Pipe and Twig), and AS is used to compare things that are not nouns. Specifically in this example how do I know that in 'B' it is talking about "a twig does"

Why is it the phrase and just the individual words TWIG to PIPE.

Thanks

[Sage Pearce-Higgins]

Make sure you check out the section in the SC Strategy Guide on 'like' vs. 'as'.

What exactly is being compared here? Is it the pipe and a twig, or the way a pipe snaps and the way a twig snaps? See if you can write another correct possible answer.

[JiakangH700]

:)

hi tim,
I have a question about choice E
why use "will" rather than "would" ?
I think "it were a twig" is a subjunctive mood, so match with "would"

thanks in advance

[Sage Pearce-Higgins]

Interesting question. Although 'as if it were' is a subjunctive, the first part of the sentence is not a subjunctive, it's a simple prediction. For predictions we usually use 'will'. We would say "Steve is so tired that he will fall asleep soon." not "Steve is so tired that he would fall asleep soon."