OG 161关于provided的用法

161. A wildlife expert predicts that the reintroduction of the caribou into northern Minnesota would tail if the density of the timber wolf population in that region is more numerous than one wolf for every 39 square miles.

(A)  would fail if the density of the timber wolf population in that region is more numerous than

(B)  would fail provided the density of the timber wolf population in that region is more than

(C)  should fail if the timber wolf density in that region was greater than

(D)  will fail if the density of the timber wolf population in that region is greater than

(E)   will fail if the timber wolf density in that region were more numerous than

D, the best choice, uses a correct sequence of present and future indicative verb forms--predicts, will fail, and is--in the three related clauses. Density, an abstract "mass" noun, is logically construed with greater than. In A and B, would fail disagrees with the other verbs in tense and mood. Choice A misconstrues density with more numerous than, and B uses the pretentious and illogical word provided for if a conditional clause after a negative idea (would fail). C's should fail and was are confusing and inconsistent with predicts. C and E use the absurd phrase timber wolf density. (The wolves are not dense; their population is dense. E also uses an inconsistent subjunctive form, were, and misconstrues density with more numerous than.

这道题目选择D是没有问题的

关于provided的用法提到， illogical word provided for if a conditional clause after a negative idea (would fail)

意思是说，provided必须在表示肯定含义的句子后面吗

provided可以引导条件从句吧，provided 有假如的意思，我好象记得的

在这里的虚拟的表达只有一种，If X did..., Y would/should do...

IF条件句表示与现在事实相反的假设。这里抛开前面的predicts 不论。

谢谢答复，ETS的解释中，negative idea指什么

是虚拟语气吗？？

是否定语气,NN们在这个帖子里讨论很多provide用法了，MM可以参考一下

http://forum.chasedream.com/dispbbs.asp?BoardID=23&ID=57188

. In A and B, would fail disagrees with the other verbs in tense and mood.
        

Hi，all

实在不明白ETS在解释内说would与其它动词的mood不一致是什么意思？

那位CDer帮忙解答一下？

Predicts that xxx 
                would fail if the density of the timber wolf population in that region is more numerous than one wolf for every 39 square miles

这句里的画线部分,虚拟不像虚拟,条件不像条件,所以错了.

如果是条件句: X
        WILL HAPPEN IF Y HAPPEN. 而且要和 predicts 这个现在时态一致.

如果是虚拟句: X WOULD DO STH IF Y DID ( I would kill him If I were you)----->if从句里面是个过去时were.

而A里面if从句动词是 IS

所以,我猜测,OG说A从时态上也好,从语态上也罢,都搞不定.所以错了.

下文copy from薰衣紫草
            mm/JJ 的 虚拟语气的例子,请参考

▶IMAGINED SITUATIONS◀
a) used when talking about a possible situation that you imagine or want to happen
What would you do if you won a million pounds?
I'd be amazed if I got the job.
I wish they'd come and visit us.
If only he would listen to me.
b) used when talking about something that did not happen, or a situation that cannot exist
Everything would be very different if your father were still alive.
I would have phoned you, but there wasn't time.
Alex would never have found out if you hadn't told him.
What would have happened if I hadn't been here?
........