Questions tagged [conditionals]
An independent clause that refers to a hypothetical situation contingent on another set of circumstance.
0
votes
1answer
32 views
How can I convey 'have pp' and 'have been ving' form into a 'if subjunctive clause'?
Can anybody help me understand some grammar point a bit better? I was studying about 'if subjunctives' and came upon a question.
She did not practice swimming enough, so she is not a good swimmer now....
0
votes
0answers
23 views
What would you do if somebody's money had gone missing. - is this correct? [on hold]
Is that grammatically correct?
I had to turn it from : "If you found the missing money, what would you do?" using a word "were" so I thought it would be "What would you do if somebody's money had ...
-4
votes
0answers
22 views
Can anyone please check if my answers are correct [closed]
I have a test tomorrow in English so can anyone just check if my answers are correct and tell me if/where I'm wrong.
Subject is Conditionals and Modals: Present and future
Modals
Conditionals
...
4
votes
3answers
166 views
Even if / Even though
Even if/though we couldn't manage without their help, I wouldn't ask them
The correct answer is "Even if" because (as I understand) only 'even if' can be used in conditional sentences.
Even if we ...
0
votes
0answers
50 views
If we tell them the truth they wouldn't believe us [migrated]
If we tell them the truth they wouldn't believe us
Is this construction correct in English? I mean, for conditional sentences, the rule is If+past tense/would +infinitive, but here, can we also use ...
0
votes
0answers
28 views
When we have two verbs in the “if clause” of a conditional sentence, should we use 2 past tenses in the “if clause”?
I know this might sound basic but it's been a while I've been facing contradictory answers from different teachers. I wanted to know which one would be the perfect sentence:
"If I told you I am a cop,...
0
votes
0answers
23 views
Distinguishing between the present and future in future real conditionals
Grammar articles say that we use constructions like:
"If he does this, that will/can happen".
And it's said that we cannot usually use "If he will do this, that will happen".
But there are some ...
0
votes
1answer
19 views
Using will/will not after if
Most grammar rules state that will shouldn't be used after if.
Here is my sentence, I am wondering whether it is correct.
It may cause an exception if there won't be a valid character in the
...
3
votes
0answers
184 views
if condition in the past [migrated]
I want to ask someone that why he didn't tell me something in the past and I want to say the sentence as below:
if you knew that yesterday why you didn't tell me yesterday?
as I know this is not ...
0
votes
0answers
24 views
Second and third conditional
I know the general usage, but I have been recently looking for some practice and I came across such a sentence:
If you were really still working (really/still/work) at 1 a.m. last night, you ...
2
votes
0answers
17 views
Omitting will in “if-will-sentence” [duplicate]
My daughter is learning if-sentences in school right now.They learned that the rule for type I sentences is "if-clause: Simple Present, main clause: will-future or (Modal + infinitive)"
How does the ...
0
votes
0answers
16 views
Is using “How should I know if he is honest?” “How should I know that he is honest?” grammatically correct?
Is using "How should I know if he is honest?" "How should I know that he is honest?" grammatically correct?
If two sentences are correct... What is the difference between two sentences?
0
votes
3answers
34 views
Can I replace “was” by “had been” here?
I have got two sentences and I want to know whether they make sense gramatically or not.
1) I would surely have crashed the car if I was driving at the time you called me.
2)I would surely have ...
0
votes
3answers
38 views
Can I omit a subject in If-clauses?
I came across a sentence on Cambridge Dictionary. It says
If found guilty, he faces six months in jail.
They omitted "he is" right ?
And can I say
If (my computer is) broken , I will fix it.
...
1
vote
1answer
45 views
If you wish + comma?
Would you place a comma in the following sentence ?
"If you wish to confirm, please send us a deposit".
Thanks.
1
vote
1answer
67 views
Is ''If I knew, I would have told you" a correct use of conditionals
I was wondering if one could use if + past simple / would + have + past participle.
0
votes
1answer
31 views
Second conditional
Should it be past tense all throughout when writing hypothetical sentences?
If I were you, I wouldn’t listen to people who were saying bad things about me.
If I could interview Angelina, I ...
0
votes
2answers
43 views
Present Unreal Conditional and speaking about present
I would like to ask, if the sentence below is grammatical and how can we understand this sentence:
If the car was sold in the last week, you wouldn't see this in the public database yet.
Also, can ...
3
votes
3answers
153 views
What type of if-conditional is: “A shop offered us a reduction if we paid in cash.”?
What type of if-conditional is this sentence?
A shop offered us a reduction if we paid in cash.
As far as I know, the only right conditional sentences are these four:
Zero Conditional:
A shop ...
1
vote
0answers
32 views
tough conditional
My friend told me that she wanted to do something interesting tonight but she is too tired. I replied:
what would you like to have done? if you werent so tired?
This seems incorrect to me. Am I ...
-1
votes
1answer
64 views
What is the meaning of the statement “Tigers and lions attack if they are hungry or threatened.”?
Does it mean:
1. If a tiger/lion is hungry or threatened, it certainly WILL attack.
or does it mean:
2. A tiger/lion will attack ONLY if it is hungry or threatened (and never otherwise).
I ...
4
votes
4answers
162 views
Use of “may” or “might” and their inherent semantic difference
Under the American Heritage Dictionary's usage note for the verb "might" it says:
Usage Note: May or might? In many situations, the choice between these two verbs can be clarified by remembering ...
1
vote
1answer
47 views
“was” as a past subjunctive
I'd like to know whether "was" should be treated as a subjunctive in the following:
a. If there were a 20-story office building without an elevator, those whose office was on the 18th floor would ...
0
votes
1answer
41 views
Why does the author use ‘would’ in “I would kill him inchmeal just now”?
I am a sanguinary murderer of time, and would kill him inchmeal just now. But the snake is vital.
I'm confused because of "just now". Doesn't that mean 'a short while ago'? If so, why is there 'would'...
0
votes
1answer
42 views
“as if” or “like” in this sentence?
I want to ask a question. In this sentence, should it be "as if" or "like"? It sounded wrong to me.
"You may not be doing what you feel as if you're called to do right
now."
or
"You may not ...
0
votes
1answer
25 views
Even after + present perfect vs present simple
I came across the following sentence posted at the city of Melbourne public transportation rules, referring to the duties of the transportation officers:
They can check your ticket and concession ...
0
votes
2answers
31 views
what kind of conditional are these sentences?
1)if he really is my clone he would never want that
2)if that the case i would recommend ...
I've seen these sentences in an Anime and I think they are ok,but I don't know if they are conditional or ...
1
vote
1answer
188 views
what is the correct use of “when vs If”?
Stop work and initiate emergency response when unplanned contact with a buried facility occurs. OR
Stop work and initiate emergency response if unplanned contact with a buried facility occurs.
0
votes
3answers
53 views
Can I use “should” in this particular sentence?
You are feeling ill. I would stay at home if I were you.
Can I replace would with should? Like this:
You are feeling ill. I should stay at home if I were you.
It seems illogical to me; however I ...
8
votes
1answer
273 views
A Strange Conditional: “I couldn’t have talked to her that day if I never talked to her again”
In The Great Gatsby, thus pens Fitzgerald:
‘However—I want to see you.’
‘I want to see you too.’
‘Suppose I don’t go to Southampton, and come into town this afternoon?’
‘No—I don’t think this ...
1
vote
1answer
111 views
If X or [if] Y - Should I extend conditional after “or”?
I have a message to write where the recipient may encounter two problems. It is currently written like this:
"If you are having problem X or if you are having problem Y please contact Z."
I'm not ...
0
votes
2answers
26 views
condition actions in the future
I am having a problem defining the British English grammar used here.
The context is that I am chatting with my brother about taking my sister to see the sequel to a film and I do know if she has ...
3
votes
1answer
61 views
Are there past and future equivalents of the “zero conditional”?
All English grammar coursebooks I have seen state that the Zero Conditional refers to something that is always true (and therefore is always certain) and has the form “Present Simple + Present Simple”....
0
votes
1answer
84 views
What does the phrase “to be only able to do X for subset Y is unacceptable” mean?
What does the phrase “to be only able to do X for subset Y is unacceptable” mean?
Does it mean that the speaker is against doing X?
Or that they think effort should be made to expand X for other ...
0
votes
2answers
63 views
Subjunctive mood and conditionals confusion
I know the type 2 conditional where you have to change thhe verb from the if clause to the simple past. However this sentence confuses me.
If it wasn’t for them, we wouldn’t be enjoying the ...
2
votes
3answers
62 views
conditional phrases
I am confused regarding conditional. I know, for example, if I say:
If he had not insulted me, I wouldn't have slapped him.
this means in reality, he insulted me and I slapped him, but if I am ...
0
votes
2answers
67 views
Question about the main clause of conditionals [duplicate]
I know the four types of conditionals. In the if clause, I know that “if” could be replaced by “when” and “should”. On the other hand, I do not know if this would be possible with the main clause. Can ...
0
votes
1answer
47 views
should you have (conditionals)
If you had wanted to cancel the reservation, you would not have gotten a full refund.
Should you have wanted to cancel the reservation, you would not have gotten a full refund.
I can't ...
0
votes
1answer
37 views
If this will… or if this would [duplicate]
Can someone tell me which is grammatically sound in this context -- would or will? I've looked through some of the responses to similar questions, but the explanations weren't too clear for a non-...
0
votes
1answer
63 views
“would” as an auxiliary for present tense conditionals
Both of these sentences feel wrong to me:
if I am alone, I will go today
if I would be alone, I will go today
By looking up some rules, it seems that using would in the protasis is a common mistake,...
-1
votes
1answer
51 views
‘If’ conditional [closed]
If I lived in that house, I would be able to grow some plants in the big garden.
If I were living in that house, I would be able to grow some plants in that big garden.
The 2nd ‘If’ Conditional is ...
2
votes
1answer
72 views
I would have felt that I was or were?
I'm not sure whether to use the past tense or the conditional in this construction below.
I found the answers to the exam, but I didn't look at them because I
would have felt that I was (or were?)...
2
votes
2answers
495 views
Limitations of 'unless' in remote conditionals
Regarding the use of unless in a remote conditional*, The Cambridge Grammar (p755) says:
Unless occurs in open conditionals and, less freely, remote ones:
[52]
...
iv I wouldn't ...
0
votes
3answers
97 views
“if our photographer was” or “is” or “were”?
"Although you are more than welcome to take photos today, it would be appreciated if our photographer was/is/were given the best opportunity to photograph the happy couple."
Which one is correct, ...
-1
votes
1answer
45 views
Usage of 'if' in two sentences
'It may be wondered if the scope is too wide.'
'It may be wondered if the scope is not too wide.'
Do these two sentences mean the same thing?
-1
votes
1answer
566 views
Combined sentences, “not …, either … or …” v.s. “not …, neither … nor …”
Generally, given that there are two statements are true:
A is not O in X.
A is not O in Y.
Question: To combine the two sentences into one, should one say which of the following (?):
A is ...
1
vote
0answers
89 views
The meaning of “were to” in the remote conditional
CGEL* (Page 753) says
[46] i a. #If it is to rain, I’ll cancel the show. b. If it were to rain, I’d cancel the show.
There is an idiomatic use of what we call ‘quasi-modal be’ that occurs only ...
2
votes
0answers
16 views
Is the Subjunctive Mood always a conditional statement? [duplicate]
I had exam and they asked: I would go to the library every day, if I ____ you.
Options:
were
was
I came to know upon reading that question was in subjunctive mood. So, my question is
what is the ...
2
votes
3answers
169 views
Can the modal 'must' be used in the apodosis of a remote conditional?
CGEL* has this on page 149:
The open conditional is the default type, while remote conditionals have the following properties:
[3] i Subordinate clause: must contain a preterite (or irrealis ...
1
vote
1answer
49 views
Can subject–auxiliary inversion in conditionals be used with non-auxiliary (arbitrary) verbs?
Can I say something like
Come you there, I'll get you.
?
Or should I only say something like
Should you come there, I'll get you.
?
I understand that it looks like I must use an auxiliary ...
