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English 1b3 Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

Conditional sentences

My understanding is this:

1st conditional if clause: verb is in present simple

1st conditional result clause: will + bare infinitive

2nd conditional if clause: verb is in past perfect OR
simple past if true statement

2nd conditional result clause: would + bare infinitive

How come the below conditionals don't follow this?

Are they 1st, 2nd, or a mixed conditional etc?

If you still believe the car is ugly, would you say this one is ugly too?

If you still believe the car is ugly, you would say this one is ugly too?

Thanks
  

Top answer

English 1b3 1st conditional if clause: verb is in present simple 1st conditional result clause: will + bare infinitive 2nd conditional if clause: verb is in past perfect OR simple past if true statement 2nd conditional result clause: would + bare infinitive [No. Not past perfect. ] How come the below conditionals don't follow this?

— CalifJim

  • English 1b3 1st conditional if clause: verb is in present simple 1st conditional result clause: will + bare infinitive 2nd conditional if clause: verb is in past perfect OR simple past if true statement 2nd conditional result clause: would + bare infinitive [No.
  • Not past perfect.
  • ] How come the below conditionals don't follow this?
  • Are they 1st, 2nd, or a mixed conditional etc?
  • If you still believe the car is ugly, would you say this one is ugly too?
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4 Answers
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English 1b3
1st conditional if clause: verb is in present simple
1st conditional result clause: will + bare infinitive

2nd conditional if clause: verb is in past perfect OR simple past if true statement
2nd conditional result clause: would + bare infinitive
[No. Not past perfect. Otherwise, OK.]


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Hi and thanks.

No. Not past perfect. Otherwise, OK.

How are we to convey a hypothetical statement then? Oh, should I have said, past subjunctive, which will invariably be the same as the past perfect anyway? Me, and my terminology, huh.
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English 1b3Me, and my terminology
No, it's not a terminology problem. Past perfect (regardless of what the identical-looking subjunctive tense is called) is in the 3rd conditional, not in the 2nd.

CJ
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Ah, right. Ok, well do we use the past subjunctive in the second clause, when we are dealing with counter-factual statements.

If I were you (which I am not), I would make something of myself. (hypothetical=past subjunctive)

If I was rich (and I could possibly be), I would buy all of you a drink. (not hypothetical=past simple)

Have I got it?

Cheers
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