Translation Exercise • 22

La traduzione, come metodo di esercizio nell’apprendimento di una lingua, farà sicuramente parte della vecchia scuola, però, inserita in un contesto più vario di apprendimento, soprattutto con feedback in tempo reale, può sempre essere un utile esercizio di allenamento.

Consiglio una partecipazione attiva e visibile postando la tua versione tra i commenti in fondo a questa pagina. In questo modo riceverai un mio commento o suggerimento in tempo più o meno reale. Ma per chi non se la sente, si può semplicemente annotare la propria versione e controllarla attraverso i miei commenti lasciati per gli altri.

Ecco la nuova frase:

Se non fosse stato per l’intervento tempestivo di Bob, Tom avrebbe probabilmente colpito il barista.

Buon divertimento!

Puoi esercitarti quanto vuoiQUI


Your comments are always very welcome.


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Author: Tony

Born and raised in Malaysia between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. Educated at Wycliffe College in Stonehouse, Gloucestershire, England. Living in the foothills of Mount Etna since 1982 and teaching English at Catania University since 1987.

34 thoughts on “Translation Exercise • 22”

  1. Se non fosse stato per l’intervento tempestivo di Bob, Tom avrebbe probabilmente colpito il barista.
    If it hadn’t been for Bob’s timely intervention, Tom would have probably hit the bartender.

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  2. Se non fosse stato per l’intervento tempestivo di Bob, Tom avrebbe probabilmente colpito il barista.
    Good afternoon prof,
    If it hadn’t been for Bob ‘s timely intervention, Tom would have probably hit the barman.

    Like

    1. Very good, Manu.
      Two small improvements:
      1) immediate action → prompt intervention
      2) would probably have hit
      🙂

      Like

  3. If it hadn’t been for Bob’s timely intervention, Tom probably would have Hit the barman ( bartender).

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  4. Se non fosse stato per l’intervento tempestivo di Bob, Tom avrebbe probabilmente colpito il barista.
    If it hadn’t been for Bob’s immediate intervention, Tom would have probably hit the barman.

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    1. Very good, Dani. I think “timely” or “prompt” would be more precise than “immediate”, but immediate is also possible. Also, personally, I would put “probably” between the two auxiliaries.

      Like

  5. Good morning,prof.

    If it hadn’t were for Bob intervention Tom would have hit the barman.

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        1. Beennnn il participio passato di to be verooooo ma infatti mi sembrava strano 😅

          Grazie prof.

          If hadn’t been for Bob’s prompt intervention Tom would probably have hit the barman.
          😊

          Like

  6. I thought they were interchangeable😭
    Ok, I’ll try again:
    Tom had probably hit if it wouldn’t have been for Bob’s prompt intervention.

    Really thank you

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    1. The problem is not the order of the two clauses, Nadia. They are, as you thought, interchangeable!
      What you need to remember is that the “ipotesi” (if) requires the past perfect and the “conseguenza” requires the past conditional.

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  7. Se non fosse stato per l’intervento tempestivo di Bob, Tom avrebbe probabilmente colpito il barista.
    Had it not been for Bob’s quick intervention, Tom would have probably punched the bartender.
    If it weren’t for (if not for) Bob’s timely intervention, Tom would have probably hit the bartender.

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    1. Your first version is good, Paolo, (I would put “probably” between the two auxiliaries).
      The second version needs a past perfect in the first part!

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      1. Got it, Tony.

        Se non fosse stato per l’intervento tempestivo di Bob, Tom avrebbe probabilmente colpito il barista.

        Had it not been for Bob’s quick intervention, Tom would probably have punched the bartender.
        If it hadn’t been for Bob’s timely intervention, Tom would probably have hit the bartender.

        Like

  8. I will try, Teacher
    1) If Bob wouldn’t have promptly intervened, Tom probably would have hit the bartender
    2) If it wouldn’t have been thanks to Bob’s prompt intervention, Tom probably would have hit the bartender

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  9. Hello…
    If it had not been for Bob’s prompt response, Tom would probably hit the barman

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    1. Hi Claudia.
      That’s a pretty good effort and the first part is perfect. However, as this is a “third conditional”, you need the “past conditional” in the second part and not the “present conditional”.
      Try again! 🙂

      Like

  10. Good morning prof
    Here it is my attempt:

    If wouldn’t have been for Bob’s prompt intervention, Tom had probably hit the barman.

    Have a nice day
    Thanks 🔆

    Like

    1. Hi Nadia. I’m afraid you’ve inverted the verb tenses!
      3rd Conditional: If + past perfect + past conditional
      You also need an impersonal subject in the first part.
      Try again!

      Like

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