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Enchanted Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

Condition

My thanks to many of you who are truly kind and knowledgeable. Emotion: smile

A question about conditions. It's been always my weakest point.

A cop just arrested a suspect in his apartment.And now they are at the police station.
Suspect: it was just a game.
Cop: if it was just a game, why'd you slam the door in my face?

Is what the cop said a condition? if it is, why doesnt he use : " if it had been a game, why would you....."

Thanks,

Ench.
  

Top answer

No. It is a false conditional. Not all "if" clauses imply condition.

— Inchoateknowledge

  • No.
  • It is a false conditional.
  • Not all "if" clauses imply condition.
  • I am wondering why you slammed the door in my face and still insist on saying it was a game in the same breath.
  • Incidentally, the young lady in your avatar, is it you?
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4 Answers
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No. It is a false conditional. Not all "if" clauses imply condition.
I am wondering why you slammed the door in my face and still insist on saying it was a game in the same breath.
Incidentally, the young lady in your avatar, is it you? Very intriguing.
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EnchantedSuspect: it was just a game.
Cop: if it was just a game, why'd you slam the door in my face?

"If it was just a game, why did you slam the door in my face?" In informal speech why'd can mean why did. I don't recommend using it in formal style.

CB
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Enchantedwhy doesnt he use : " if it had been [just] a game, why would you.."
The basic patterns for "unreal conditions" are:
If ... were ..., ... would ....
If ... had been ..., ... would have ...
Some basic patterns for "real conditions" are:
If ... is ..., [present]
If ..
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thanks both.
But it happened in the past. Shouldn't it be like "if it had been a game,".....
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