Modality here?

I tried to learn french,   Tue Dec 02, 2008 8:49 am GMT
1)He had thirty years to wait before she was released.

He had to wait 30 years before she was released (if the action has happened)
He has to wait 30 years before she will be released (if the action is yet to happen)

2)We had some miles to drive before we reached the hotel.

We had to drive some miles before we reached the hotel.
here 'some' is too vague it could mean a few or many so depending on what you are trying to say use....

We had to drive a few miles before we reached the hotel.
We had to drive many miles before we reached the hotel.


He only has himself to blame
He has only himself to blame

I would say that in the UK option 1 would be the more common usage (spoken).
MollyB   Tue Dec 02, 2008 10:44 am GMT
<<We had to drive some miles before we reached the hotel. >>

For me, it isn't vague at all. It means "quite a lot of".
I tried to learn french,   Tue Dec 02, 2008 11:29 am GMT
<<We had to drive some miles before we reached the hotel. >>

<<For me, it isn't vague at all. It means "quite a lot of".>>

Yes I know, but is that the OP's intention.

The original sentance is vague.
2)We had some miles to drive before we reached the hotel.

I interpret that as "we had a few miles to drive..."

I had some apples

'some miles' is not just not very precise, maybe had the OP used 'some distance' it would clarify it better.
Johnny   Tue Dec 02, 2008 2:07 pm GMT
<<He has to wait 30 years before she will be released (if the action is yet to happen) >>

Is "will" really used in those kinds of sentences in the UK? Is it common to see it used that way? I am almost 100% sure Americans don't ever say it that way.
MollyB   Tue Dec 02, 2008 11:48 pm GMT
<Is "will" really used in those kinds of sentences in the UK? Is it common to see it used that way? I am almost 100% sure Americans don't ever say it that way. >

American examples:

1. However, the device's assembly requires both strength and dexterity. Some of the connectors require a small amount of pressure before they will be seated properly.

2. We have only three more doors to either side before we will be forced to confront guards. Is Captain Picard on this side?

3. It will take days, I think, before we will be satisfied with the identification.

4. Do you think it will take two weeks before you will be ready?

http://www.americancorpus.org/
Johnny   Wed Dec 03, 2008 2:43 pm GMT
I don't like them. Are there any Americans here who would say such examples are common? I'm confused.
MollyB   Fri Dec 05, 2008 7:27 am GMT
<I don't like them. >

And some of us may not like this construction:

<< I am almost 100% sure Americans don't ever say it that way.>>
Johnny   Fri Dec 05, 2008 11:42 am GMT
<<I don't like them>>

I changed my mind. I just learned about that particular structure and its usage, so I was wrong. It has a different meaning than the one I was familiar with.
That seems pretty confined to "before" though. Can you think of similar examples with "will" after other particles like "until" and "when"? Maybe it's used in a similar way, but I am not sure.