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English 1b3 Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

Confusion with subjunctive and conditional overlapping the subjunctive

If we were still together, I would be happy.

I see the above as second conditional--which refers to the future.

But what if we want to talk about the present; do we use the zero conditional:

If we are still together, I am happy.

But what if you wanted to refer to the present, but suggest that it is unlikey? You then change the verb to the subjunctive, which changes the forumla from zero conditional to what?

If we were still together, I am happy.

??
  

Top answer

Dear friend, English 1b3 If we were still together, I would be happy. I see the above as second conditional--which refers to the future. - this type of condition is called hypothetical - the speaker believes it will not be fulfilled.

— Andriy Lapin

  • Dear friend, English 1b3 If we were still together, I would be happy.
  • I see the above as second conditional--which refers to the future.
  • - this type of condition is called hypothetical - the speaker believes it will not be fulfilled.
  • You call it a second conditional, and I will not interfere with your terminology if it is more convenient for you.
  • The crucial moment, however, is that second conditional may have both present and future reference.
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25 Answers
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Dear friend,
English 1b3If we were still together, I would be happy.

I see the above as second conditional--which refers to the future.

- this type of condition is called hypothetical - the speaker believes it will not be fulfilled. You call it a second conditional, and I will not interfere with your terminology if it is
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Hi

Personally, I wouldn't fret too much about the different 'types' of conditional. The important thing is to understand how the were- subjunctive (or 'past' subjunctive) functions when used in an if-conditional clause. The were- subjunctive expresses a hypothetical or unreal meaning; in other words it deals with things that not only have not happened,
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Hello,
BillJAn if-clause with was (i.e. the indicative mood) implies that an event may take place
- was can be used as a substitution for were in a fairly colloquial style to which many educated users object, but the meaning remains the same - hypothetical and unreal. For your reference only: in linguistic terms, the opposition 'w
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Excuse me, but I teach this stuff in the UK - I don't want a lecture from you, thanks all the same!
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My pleasure, BillJ.

Docendo discimus. I am glad that you have accepted my constructive criticism.

Respectfully, Gleb Chebrikoff
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Thanks a lot for your help! Good answer.

The discussion I read on conditionals doesn't mention that the second conditional can refer to the present as well as the future???

What about the other two conditionals? Can they also refer to more than one time?

And what is the main way to refer to the present with conditionals?

Thanks a load.
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I'm glad this could be of help, English 1b3!
English 1b3The discussion I read on conditionals doesn't mention that the second conditional can refer to the present as well as the future???
Let me suggest a classification of conditional clauses that I find appropriate:

NEUTRAL TYPE: SAME TENSE IN BOTH CLAUSES:

If the wind blows from the north
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TYPE I; PRESENT TENSE IN THE IF-CLAUSE, WILL OR IMPERATIVE IN THE MAIN:


If you park your care here, the police will take it away.


In this type, what is said in the main clause is dependent on something that may not happen, though this 'something' (parking a car, in our case) is assumed by the speaker to be a real possibility. This kind refers only to
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Thanks for asking, my friend; in fact, the terms 'moment of speaking' and 'tense' are not entirely synonymous, so I will stick to traditional terminology for the sake of convenience: according to the orthodox view, as you rightly noticed, type I conditionals refer to the future, but there is still one detail that you should take into account. Consider this:

You're going to have huge t
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You're going to have huge trouble if you've infected me.

So what conditional is the above then?

And so the below is correct?

1st conditional refers to the future--something likely to happen

2nd conditional refers to the the future--something not likely to happen.

or to the present-something that will not happen
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