292. When things don't turn out as we would like them to, it is very tempting to assume that had we done things differently, the story would have had a happier ending.
译文 当事情并未按照我们所希望的结果发展时，往往很容易让我们设想如果我们采用不同的方式来完成这些事情，也许结局会更圆满一些。
点睛 本句的主干是...it is very tempting...。when引导的是时间状语从句，该从句中又包含一个as引导的状语从句；that引导的是带有虚拟语气的宾语从句that had we done...a happier ending，作assume的宾语。Had we done things differently属于省略连词if后引起的倒装情况，还原后应为：if we had done things differently。
assume意为“臆想，假设”。如：
We shouldn't assume anything in this case. 在这种情况下我们不应该作出任何假设。
考点归纳 assume属于六级重点词汇之一，以下是其用法总结。
表示“假定，假设；猜测”。如：
Scientists assume there is animal life on Mars. 科学家们猜测火星上有动物存在。
表示“假装，装作是”。如：
He assumed a look of surprise when I told him the story. 我跟他讲起这事时，他装出很吃惊的样子。
表示“承担；担任，就职”。如：
Nada said he would assume responsibility for his mistake. 纳达说他将为自己犯的错误承担责任。
The young man assumed the role of leader in the emergency. 在紧急情况下，这个年轻人扮演了领导角色。
表示“呈现；采取”。如：
My friend assumed a new name after he moved here. 我朋友在搬来后用了个新名字。
