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Question

Is this sentence correct and is it a type 2 conditional, which is unreal:

It would be great if we could meet sometime this summer for lunch.

Also, what is the difference between these:
It would be great if you have some free time tomorrow to meet.
It would be great if you had some free time tomorrow to meet.

Are both possible? The one with 'had' is a type to conditional, right? But sounds kind of awkward to use. I am a bit confused.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

The first sentence is correct, and means that a meeting for lunch this summer is desired by the speaker, but is in no way guaranteed, and depends on the listener's reaction to the statement. One might almost say that this is, in essence, a question: "Would you like to meet for lunch sometime this summer?"

The second sentence is correct. It is similar to the first sentence, with a meaning that a meeting is desired by the speaker, but is in no way guaranteed, and would depend on the listener's reaction to the statement. Again, this is almost in the nature of a question: "Would you like to meet tomorrow is you have some free time?"

The third sentence is correct. The "had" gives it a sense of uncertainty or tentativeness, and makes the meaning tricky to interpret. There are at least three ways of interpreting the meaning here:

1. The speaker is saying that he'd like a meeting, but is rather matter-of-fact about it and does not really desire it greatly.

2. The speaker is very desirous of a meeting but is concealing his desire by using the word "had," which makes it appear that he is matter-of-fact about it.

3. The speaker is very desirous of a meeting and by using "had" turns his statement into almost a plea for a meeting. The intonation and phrasing in the speaker's voice would clue the listener in to this meaning.

Anonymous · Answer

Thanks. But are they considered conditional sentences or not?

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