Questions tagged [conditionals]
An independent clause that refers to a hypothetical situation contingent on another set of circumstance.
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Timing of adverb after conditional
The sentence in question:
Should you decide to decline the offer, the contract is terminated effective immediately.
My question is about the timing of the word immediately. Would immediately refer to ...
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1answer
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Only if-conditional sentences and inversion
As I was studying for my upcoming grammar exam, I stumbled across the following sentence:
Your membership will only be renewed if you pay your subscription within the next seven days.
Is it also ...
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1answer
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Past Perfect Negative Plus Future Perfect while in the Present
Given the situation:
I enjoy a podcast that has ended
There is a bonus episode of the podcast that I am not aware of that, if I were aware, I would listen to it
Somebody tells me about the existence ...
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Question on use of the 'first' conditional in the past (no modal involved)
Which conditional is this?
If John did not come to work yesterday, he was probably ill.
I would hazard a guess that it is a first conditional as there is a fair probability that John being ill was ...
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As if and as though
A few weeks ago one of my friends looked at my daughter and said "She looks as if she is not your daughter" is it correct to use present tense in a situation like that? The thing is that she ...
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1answer
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Need help with the sentence [closed]
I would like to ask which one of the following sentences are grammatically correct? And any suggestions for similar context would be greatly appreciated.
Without WikiLeaks or Julian Assange, the ...
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The peculiarities of using Type2/Type3 Conditionals with regard to the shifting of tenses
When making out sentences in narration of the past time events and implementing the Conditional Mood, shall the time shift principles be observed? For example:
[conveying the idea of unreal condition ...
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Conditional sentence using “were to”
The question I have is about conditional construction "were to have + past participle".
Let's take an example:
"If she were to have failed the final test, she would have cried."
...
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2answers
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If he got the job, he would be very happy now
Consider this, please:
Person A: My brother was supposed to appear for an interview at 8am, and now it's 10. I don't know if he got the job or not. But one thing is for sure,
If he got the job, he ...
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0answers
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Backshifting “if” statements [duplicate]
Let's say someone said this: "We planned to cancel the event if he got sick."
In backshifting this statement, are both of these statements appropriate and equivalent?
"They said they ...
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Tenses in dependent clauses with conditionals
From wikipedia:
Apart from the special cases referred to in the sections above, many
other dependent clauses use a tense that might not logically be
expected – in particular the present tense is used ...
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Looking for an answer in regards to POSSIBLY a present perfect in a first conditional sentence
My question is about this one sentence which has been driving me crazy. I found a discussion on here about present perfect in a first consditional sentences. "If I've...., I'll be able to, etc..&...
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Two overlapping meanings of “will”
The verb "will" has many overtones and meanings but I want to bring up these two:
If you will help me open the door, I will take the desk out.
"If you will help" means "If ...
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4answers
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If John had taken it, he would have let me know
Person A: Where is my car?
Person B: I don't know. Maybe John took it.
Person A: If John took it, he would have let me know.
Person A: If John took it, he will have let me know.
Person A: If John ...
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0answers
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scope of subordinate clauses
I have a complex sentence with multiple subordinate clauses: Can one subordinate clause encapsulate another or is each subordinate clause equal and independent to each other:
I will go running when it ...
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1answer
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nested if clauses [duplicate]
If I have 2 "if statements" next to each other, does the last "if" statement become embedded within the first "if statement"?
For example, "I will swim only if I go ...
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Does the if clause modify “I will play the violin” even though the clauses are not next to each other?
I will play the violin when I am at the park if my fingers are not sore today.
Is the "if" clause modifying "I will play the violin" even though these clauses are not next to each ...
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1answer
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usage of when and tense in a conditional sentence?
There are two conditional sentences which one is more correct grammatically?
When I come home, my children will be playing.
When I come home, my children would be playing.
In the first sentence the ...
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In third conditional sentences, if the conditional clause precedes the independent clause, should a comma precede the independent clause?
(conditional clause with past perfect + comma + independent clause containing modal auxiliary + have + past participle)
I learned this rule many years ago when I was a high school student, but I ...
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1answer
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Conditional sentence with “even if”
What do you make of this sentence? Thanks!
Even if a potential customer would never have seriously considered switching from a PC to a Mac, the company knew that if they could get them into the store,...
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1answer
51 views
Varying modal verbs in counterfactual (“subjunctive”) conditionals
There are some situations in which one would like to vary the modal verb in counterfactual conditionals, but it seems to be incorrect.
"If things were otherwise, she would keep her promise."...
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2answers
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If clause with a past tense about future for hypothetical condition
Is there any case in English were a future condition is represented with past tense?
E.g. "If I saw you tomorrow, I will do ..."
In some languages, it casts more doubt for the condition to ...
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meaning of “for if” in this sentence
I can eat anything in this buffet including the lamb chops for dinner only, for if I pay the full price.
Does the "if I pay the full price" clause apply to everything before it?
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Tricky grammar : as if clause [duplicate]
These days, I'm reading "Humans of New York", and find some tricky...Grammar(?). This sentence below including conditional is one of them.
“I can’t stand moral absolutism. You know, there’s ...
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1answer
51 views
How do I tell whether “even if” or “unless” is right?
Some say unless should fill the gap and others say even if should go there. How do I tell which one is correct?
I couldn't have got to the airport on time yesterday .......... I had found a taxi.
a. ...
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2answers
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Subjunctive vs. indicative with conditionals
I was reading this topic from March 2014 and thought Charles’s answer was great until I got to the following part:
The letter claimed exactly the same as the first, namely that if his letter wasn't ...
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1answer
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Can you use “if past, then past”?
Is it possible to use the past simple in the result-clause of the 2nd conditional?
Is it possible to say:
If I had enough money, I bought a car.
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1answer
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Is there a name for this format - '5:number :: k: ? '?
Is there a name for this format - 5:number :: k: ? ?
The question mark in the above poses a question. The answer is supposed to be found out by looking the relation of previous pair. In this case ...
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3answers
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Can “would” be used in a conditional like this?
I know there's a multitude of similar questions, but I just can't find one that clearly applies to my problem. The sentence I'm struggling with deals with an obligation and sounds similar to this.
...
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0answers
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Do I use ''becomes'' or ''became'' here?
I have a sentence which I'm not quite sure is right:
The certificate became invalid when the commitments contained in the
agreement are not fulfilled.
I got confused a little. Shouldn't the word &...
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2answers
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'If she would have studied hard" [closed]
I wonder how this sentence sounds. Does it sound absurd or could it be used in some situations?
In other words, is it possible to make a correct sentence with this phrase 'if she would have studied ...
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1answer
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Does “So as long as” mean the same as “Just as long as” in this sentence?
I have a question regarding a sentence in this Meta post:
Votes reversed by the detection script can be re-cast by the user at a later time, so long as the user does not again engage in serial voting ...
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1answer
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If+Past Perfect + would + base form or … + base form of 'be' (+ verb + ing)? Mixed conditional!
I know the structure of the mixed conditional, when past event has a result in a present situation - If+Past Perfect + would + base form. But all the example sentences I find are using the base form ...
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1answer
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Subjunctive Mood with the Type 3 Conditional or “could with the perfect infinitive” expressing ability, theoretical possibility, etc. in the past
From NBC news’s ‘Breakthrough finding’ reveals why certain Covid-19 patients die:
"Before Covid, their condition was silent," Bastard said. "Most of them hadn't gotten sick before.&...
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1answer
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Comma preceding subordinate clause in the middle of independent clause
I have a case of nested subordinate clauses that are, in addition, separated by a modifying adverb (namely) to help structure the sentence:
Note that we adopt the same stance as [authors] concerning [...
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1answer
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choosing tense in the If-clause of a mixed conditional
Suppose A, B and C plan to meet at a place. A and B reach the place in time. C calls one of them to say that he'll be late, because he left just five minutes ago.
A to B:
A: If he had left at least ...
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2answers
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Do people in Britain use this structure nowdays? Or is it considered archaic there? [closed]
I found it on one website about If I were/If I was usage, and I'm not sure it's common:
If I had been a boy, I would have happily roamed outside all night.
“if I had been” talks about a particular ...
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2answers
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The “Polite” Conditional?
If you see him, would you say hello?
Would you get us some coffee if they have any?
Are these questions, in which the “polite” would is used, conditionals of the first or “mixed” type? Are they, in ...
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1answer
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“In cases where” vs. “If”
Garner's Modern English Usage (2016), p. 147:
H.W. Fowler wrote of case: "There is perhaps no single word so freely resorted to as a trouble-saver, and consequently responsible for so much ...
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More deeply into conditonials between hypothetical and indicative, featuring backshifing
After thinking this or that ways, finally I have been confronted to this question: Could there be the sentences which have 2nd conditonals structure form only(If S did ~, S would V ~~) and which was ...
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1answer
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Can 2nd conditionals (unreal) have a guessing of the past situation (real)?
Sentences (1) and (2) have the form of 2nd conditional, which is unreal at the time of utterance (In this text, the time is past, which is natural in grammar and usage in my intuition). However, some ...
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2answers
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Consecutio modorum: Do “that” clauses follow an irreal subjunctive in the parent clause?
Does English have a “sequence of moods” rule? Should the blanks be filled in by was or were?
If we knew that it ___ raining, we would also know that the
street ___ wet.
That is, are the irreal ...
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1answer
42 views
Mixed conditional sentence with type 1 [closed]
Assumming that tommorrow my friend will take a examination, but he didn't study anything, so it's too late for him now, he is doomed for sure :). Is it grammatically correct if I say to my friend:
If ...
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1answer
86 views
First Conditional sentence with would
Grammatically, when we construct a first conditional sentence, the if-clause is followed by a result clause with a "will" in it. However, in many formal texts written by native English ...
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1answer
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Can “If” mean “since”?
Here's my example: "If we all agree on the basic terms, can we do a proper agreement next week."
Can this be construed (in the proper context) as: "Since we all agree, can we etc."?...
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1answer
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“Would” in subordinate clauses after wish-constructions
I'm reading about the correct usage of wish-constructions, and my English grammar book says:"Would + infinitive may be found in the subordinate clause only if the subjects in the clauses are ...
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1answer
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Using if-sentences for events that happened recently
I was surfing the web when I came across the first if-sentence structure being used to describe a recent event.
For example: 2 people are talking, person A says:
If you do that, of course he'll get ...
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1answer
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“Even if” at the start of a negative sentence [closed]
I saw this msg on wishesmsg where it was written-
You two proved that even if life’s not perfect as a movie, having a loving partner is every trouble worthy.
I am not sure if this makes any sense. ...
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1answer
40 views
Is 'would have' always the third conditional?
a. No Stone Age ten-year-old would have been living on tender foods like modern potato chips, hamburgers, and pasta. Their meals would have required far more chewing than is ever demanded of a modern ...
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0answers
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confused by two conditional statements
how are you doing?
I know the following two employ different types of conditional, but, for me, the two seem almost exactly the same in their meaning, regardless of the conditional structure. Could ...
