I’d be surprised if any of these links go dead anytime soon.

[Ali Smith]

Hi,

Our Hebrew professor was telling us about different websites where we could read the Bible. He said:

“These are all programs that have been around for a while. I’d be surprised if any of these links go dead anytime soon.”

Would “went dead” have meant the same thing in this particular context?

Thanks!

 

[cidertree]

Yes, "died" could also be used.

 

[e2efour]

It's a hypothetical statement and the meaning is the same in both sentences.

 

[Korisnik116]

It's either of these:

I'll be surprised if any of these links go dead anytime soon.​

I'd be surprised if any of these links went dead anytime soon.​

The original is ungrammatical as it is in Standard English. You don't say "I'd be happy if you do that", for instance, which exhibits the same tense pattern.

 

[cidertree]

I have no problem with either of the original sentences: Mixed conditionals are quite common in SE.

 

[Korisnik116]

I have no problem with either of the original sentences: Mixed conditionals are quite common in SE.

Are you saying you don't see any issues in a sentence like "I would be happy if you do that"?

 

[cidertree]

No, but my comment was limited to the two sentences in the OP, and I stand by it.

Edit: I would be surprised if you disagree.

 

[Tegs]

I’d be surprised if any of these links go dead anytime soon

I don’t see a problem with this sentence either.

 

[kentix]

It's okay with me, too.

 

[Korisnik116]

I'm disappointed. It might be that the expression is just too common, and that there isn't much difference in meaning between the alternatives in #4, so even some, otherwise unacceptable, permutations are deemed acceptable in this particular case.

Similar threads:
I'd be surprised if he came/ comes
I'd be surprised if there winds up being a split at all.
I'd be surprised that he came/ comes

 

[cidertree]

I'm sorry you're disappointed but, as they say: "The rules of grammar are interpreted, not ordained."
It's more than futile to try to apply stylised or archaic "rules" to a language which has since evolved, rendering the permutations not only acceptable but commonplace.

Edit: I do see a clear difference in meaning between the two sentences in #4; it's simply that these aren't the only two possible combinations.

 

[e2efour]

See the lengthy discussion in a previous thread:
modal verb "would" with future meaning