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Michael841 Posted 16 years ago
Essay & Composition Writing
Conditional
Hi
I have this occasional confusion about these two conditionals:
1.If you worked harder, you would pass the test.
2.If you had worked harder, you would have passed the test.
The way I think about number two is: the object didn't work hard enough and as a result he/she failed the test.(no way back=It's all done=a blown chance) What about number one? The if -clause refers to some action taking place in the past and the main clause is sort of seeing the future from the past or at least that's what I get; yet, I'm not sure about it! Would someone please cast a light on that?
Thanks
I have this occasional confusion about these two conditionals:
1.If you worked harder, you would pass the test.
2.If you had worked harder, you would have passed the test.
The way I think about number two is: the object didn't work hard enough and as a result he/she failed the test.(no way back=It's all done=a blown chance) What about number one? The if -clause refers to some action taking place in the past and the main clause is sort of seeing the future from the past or at least that's what I get; yet, I'm not sure about it! Would someone please cast a light on that?
Thanks
Top answer
You are right about #2, but #1 refers to the present or future. The past form of the verb serves this purpose in Conditional II sentences.
- You are right about #2, but #1 refers to the present or future.
- The past form of the verb serves this purpose in Conditional II sentences.
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2 Answers
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You are right about #2, but #1 refers to the present or future. The past form of the verb serves this purpose in Conditional II sentences.
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You're right about the second sentence. Regarding the first sentence, the if-clause refers to the present (or possibly future) and the main clause refers to the future. The past subjunctive "worked" is used instead of "work" to indicate that the condition is false or unlikely (that is, you know that the person is not working hard enough to pass the test or you don't believe that the person will wo
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