0

Lately, I have been asking myself if this sentence was possible:

If it rained, I would stay at home.

What do you think?

10
  • 2
    It sounds correct in a colloquial way, but in front of the Queen I would say if it were to rain... Jul 18, 2016 at 16:53
  • Or if it were raining... Are you talking about the present or the future? Jul 18, 2016 at 16:53
  • It is possible t say if it rained... because you don't know how much time it has rained. Jul 18, 2016 at 16:54
  • I am talking about the future. Jul 18, 2016 at 16:54
  • @SinestroWhite You still use the imperfect subjunctive if it were... if you're talking about something in the future, it's usually called an 'if clause' Jul 18, 2016 at 16:56

2 Answers 2

0

Many linguists (often based outside the US) are quite happy that the past simple may (/should?) be used in such constructions, as this article from EF Education First Ltd. shows:

In [what some call] a Type 2 conditional sentence, the tense in the 'if' clause is the simple past, and the tense in the main clause is the present conditional or the present continuous conditional.

If clause (condition)...................Main clause (result)

If + simple past ..........................present conditional or present continuous conditional

If this thing happened................that thing would happen.

As in all conditional sentences, the order of the clauses is not fixed. You may have to rearrange the pronouns and adjust punctuation when you change the order of the clauses, but the meaning is identical.

EXAMPLES

If it rained, you would get wet.

You would get wet if it rained.

If you went to bed earlier you wouldn't be so tired.

You wouldn't be so tired if you went to bed earlier.

If she fell, she would hurt herself....

CaGEL (14.2.1) gives the example (and this is handy, as it uses the volitional 'would'):

I'd cook only if you cleaned up.

The 'if you were to' version sounds highfalutin', at least to many British ears.

0
0

I think this is possible. It sounds fine to my ear (American), and the tenses also seem to work.

"Rained" is the Imperfect Subjunctive verb and "would stay" is the following Conditional tense verb.

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.