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Kenny1999 Posted 4 years ago
Grammar

Conditional sentence

If I were you, I would....

If I had wings, I would...

In this case, were is used without doubt because it's an undeniable fact that I'm not you and human doesn't have wings.


However, if someone talking about something that I don't agree or believe it to be true, but it is not scientifically or logically impossible, should I use present or past tense in the "if-clause"?


For example, someone says to me

"He is very rich so he never works."

However, I don't believe that it is the case. (i.e. I don't believe that he is rich)


In this case, which of the following response is appropriate?

I: "If he is very rich, he wouldn't shoplift."

or

I: "If he were very rich, he wouldn't shoplift."


Scientifically and logically, it is possible that he is rich, but I don't believe that is the case, then which condition should it fall ?

  

Top answer

" However, I don't believe that it is the case. e. I don't believe that he is rich) In this case, which of the following response is appropriate?

— CalifJim

  • " However, I don't believe that it is the case.
  • e.
  • I don't believe that he is rich) In this case, which of the following response is appropriate?
  • " or I: " If he were very rich, he wouldn't shoplift.
  • " The underlined sentence is the correct one.
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1 Answers
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kenny1999

someone says to me

"He is very rich so he never works."

However, I don't believe that it is the case. (i.e. I don't believe that he is rich)


In this case, which of the following response is appropriate?

I: "If he is very rich, he wouldn't shoplift."

or

I: "If he were very rich, he wouldn't shoplift."

0

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