「ラジオ英会話」2025年3月28日放送、
つまり年度の最後の英作文
「きっとあなたも試してみたことをうれしく思うはずです。」
にあたる英文
I'm sure you'll be glad you tried it.
何で過去形？
まだ今までにtryしてなくて、これからtryするんだろうにtried？
せいぜいtryじゃないのって思ってしまったんですよね...
そこで、Microsoft Copilotに質問してみました。
私：
英語の質問です。
This is something you might find interesting. This is the radio show I've been listening to for the past three years. I've made a lot of progress. I'm sure you'll be glad you tried it.
の最後のtriedがなぜ過去形なのかが理解できません。tryではだめなのでしょうか？
Microsoft Copilot:
Good question! In this case, "tried" is used because the speaker is referring to the listener's past experience of trying the radio show. It's assuming that the listener has already given it a shot and is reflecting on it in the past. Using "try" instead wouldn't make sense in this context because it suggests the action is still ongoing or in the present, which contradicts the speaker's intent to talk about past success or completion.
So, "I'm sure you'll be glad you tried it" implies: "When you look back after trying it, you will realize that it was worth it!" If you said "I'm sure you'll be glad you try it," it wouldn't convey the same reflective tone or acknowledgment of the action being completed.
Does that help clarify things? 😊
（いきなり全英語かよ(*_*;）
私：
So you mean that, in reality, the listener hasn't tried the show yet, but the speaker says this sentence with the assumption that the listener starts listening to it?
Microsoft Copilot:
Exactly! The speaker assumes that the listener will try the radio show in the future, and they’re predicting the listener’s reaction afterward. The phrase "I'm sure you'll be glad you tried it" works as a combination of present and future perspectives.
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"You'll be glad": Refers to the listener's future feelings.
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"You tried it": Refers to the action of trying the show, which would have already happened by the time the listener feels glad.
In essence, the speaker is imagining the sequence: The listener decides to try the show → The listener listens to it → The listener reflects and feels glad they gave it a shot. The use of "tried" fits because it's discussing the completed action as part of that imagined future timeline.
Does that make sense? 😊
私：
Can you provide more examples of similar language structures?
Microsoft Copilot:
Absolutely! Here are some similar language structures where the speaker imagines a future scenario and refers to an action as if it has already been completed by that time:
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"You'll thank me later for recommending this book."
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The speaker assumes the listener will eventually read the book and feel grateful afterward.
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"Once you've tried this restaurant, you'll wonder why you didn't go sooner."
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Refers to the future action of trying the restaurant and predicts the listener's reflection afterward.
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"You'll appreciate having studied for the exam when you see your grades."
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Suggests that the listener will study now and feel satisfied later after seeing their results.
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"After you've visited this park, you'll want to come back every weekend."
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Assumes the visit will happen in the future and predicts the listener's reaction afterward.
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"You'll be glad you bought the tickets early when the event sells out."
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Refers to a future scenario where the listener benefits from their past action (buying tickets).
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These examples follow the same idea of projecting a future outcome while reflecting on a completed action within that imagined future. Does this help clarify things further? 😊
私：
Thanks a lot.
Microsoft Copilot:
You're very welcome! I'm glad I could help. 😊 If you have more questions about English or anything else, feel free to ask anytime. Keep up the great work with your learning! 🚀
最後の５が今回の英作文とピッタリの例文ですね。
どうしても時間軸を話している「今」に置いて考えてしまいますが、こんなふうに過去形を使えるんですね。
これにて一件落着🌸🌸🌸
UnsplashのChristina Isabellaが撮影した写真
【♪現在・過去・未来♪】
