0
Believer Posted 19 years ago
Grammar
dual-function of would
Hi,
I think would as a modal verb is multi-faceted ??and two among many of its functions are 1) to express a polite supplication or 2) to express what might have happened if something had occurred.
Which of the two would you say is in use here? Is this a Type 2 Conditional?
1. It would be better/nicer if you spent your time studying rather than idling around.
I am not sure if the above sentence is correct but I think I am hearing a similar sentential construction. I think it is better if written like this:
It would be better if you start spending your time studying rather than idling around.
Or,
It would be better if you spend your time studying rather than idling around.
How about this? A Type 2 Conditional?
2. It would be better/nicer if you got your money out and help that homeless man soaking in rain.
For the two sentences above, marked 1 and 2, am I making a gentle supplication to another party or am I stating a result of what might have happened if something in a conditional term (in the past in time) were to be met (realized??)?
I think would as a modal verb is multi-faceted ??and two among many of its functions are 1) to express a polite supplication or 2) to express what might have happened if something had occurred.
Which of the two would you say is in use here? Is this a Type 2 Conditional?
1. It would be better/nicer if you spent your time studying rather than idling around.
I am not sure if the above sentence is correct but I think I am hearing a similar sentential construction. I think it is better if written like this:
It would be better if you start spending your time studying rather than idling around.
Or,
It would be better if you spend your time studying rather than idling around.
How about this? A Type 2 Conditional?
2. It would be better/nicer if you got your money out and help that homeless man soaking in rain.
For the two sentences above, marked 1 and 2, am I making a gentle supplication to another party or am I stating a result of what might have happened if something in a conditional term (in the past in time) were to be met (realized??)?
Top answer
Change supplication to request . ) CJ
- Change supplication to request .
- ) CJ
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
2 Answers
0
Change supplication to request. (Supplicationis quite dramatic -- almost begging on bended knee.) 
00
Which of the two would you say is in use here? ??? Is this a Type 2 Conditional? Yes. ... would ... if [past] ...
1. It would be better/nicer if you spent your time studying rather than idling around.
I am not sure if the above sentence is correct It's fine. but I think I am h
1. It would be better/nicer if you spent your time studying rather than idling around.
I am not sure if the above sentence is correct It's fine. but I think I am h
0
Related Questions