Question

How should I formulate?If everything he has told (yesterday)was true then she must be upset (now)Is it conditional? I don't get it.

Ivanhr · Accepted Answer

Yes, it is a conditional sentence.

If everything he has told is true, then she must be upset (now).

If everything he told yesterday was true, then she must be upset (now).

MrWonderful · Answer

Is this the 1 conditional or what?
Thanks a lot!

Ivanhr · Answer

No, I don't think that your sentences fit either of the common conditional patterns (Conditional 0, 1, 2, 3). The condition in your examples is real and factual (which doesn't necessarilly mean that he told the truth--it just means that at this point we can't verify whether or not he told the truth).

MrWonderful · Answer

So there aren't to be any grammar difficulties. I mean like sequence of tenses or some other kinds. Which rule works in such situations? and finally, could you make some more examples of this type?
sorry for being boring!

Fivejedjon · Answer

MrWonderfulSo there aren't to be any grammar difficulties. I mean like sequence of tenses or some other kinds. Which rule works in such situations?

The traditional 'rules for conditionals can be useful, but they are rather over-simplified. In most books they appear to be far too dogmatic about the 'sequence of tenses'. It is not possible to give a full explanation in one thread here; I'll just look at your sentence, "If everything he has told (yesterday)was true then she must be upset (now)"

First of all, "said" or "told me" are more natural than "told". Now, let's look at possible utterances:

If everything he said yesterday was true then she must be upset (now)
a. If everything he said yesterday was true (and I don't know this. I am merely raising the possibility), then she must be (this is a logical assumption) upset.

b. If everything he said yesterday was true (and I accept that it is), then she must be (this is a logical assumption) upset.

Only context can tell us which interpretation is more likely.

2.If everything he has said is true then she must be upset (now)
a. If everything he has said (in the time period up to the present)(and I don't know this. I am merely raising the possibility), then she must be (this is a logical assumption) upset.
b. If everything he has said (in the time period up to the present)(and I accept that it is), then she must be (this is a logical assumption) upset.

Only context can tell us which interpretation is more likely.

3. If everything he said were true, then she would be very upset.
In the unlikely (hypothetical) situation of everything he says being true, then her being upset is a hypothetically certain consequence.

MrWonderful · Answer

Appreciate your detailed explanation!!

Ivanhr · Answer

Some more examples

If he bought that car, he must be enjoying himself now.

If he bought that car, he's going to win the race next week.

If he studied English in school, he'll be able to speak with you when you see him tomorrow.

If you've been to London, then you know where Trafalgar Square is.

Just use whatever tense you feel is appropriate for the context.

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