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Imantaghavi Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Hypothesizing

Hi,

I know that for the hypothetical sentences the tense change is one tense forward
for non-fact to fact like the following ones:

would >>> won't
spoke>>>> don't speak
could>>> can't
had helped>>> didn't help

and vise-versa for fact to non-fact. But it seems that this rule sometimes
doesn't work.Look at the following instances and tell me what's the relevence
 between facts behind wishes and regrets and the rule mentioned above:

1-I souldn't have been speeding. (Fact>> I was speeding)
2-I should have listened to your advice. (Fact>> I didn't listen to your advice)
3- I'd just sleep forever. (Fact>> she can't get any sleep because of the kids)
4- Which one would you choose if you had the money? (Fact>> They don't have
 the money)
5- If I didn't get so nervous, I'd get better results. (Fact>> I get so nervous, I
don't get better results)
6- If you'd helped us, we'd have finished by now. (Fact>> you didn't help, we
 haven't finished)

And is it correct to conclude that it's the if clause which conveys the wish and the fact
behind it?(like sentence #4)

Regards,
 
Iman
  

Top answer

Hi Iman. You asked a very good question. Actually in conditional sentences, the hypothetical part is expressed in if clause.

  • Hi Iman.
  • You asked a very good question.
  • Actually in conditional sentences, the hypothetical part is expressed in if clause.
  • However in first conditional, there is no hypothetical issue involved.
  • 1.
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2 Answers
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Hi Iman.

You asked a very good question.

Actually in conditional sentences, the hypothetical part is expressed in if clause. However in first conditional, there is no hypothetical issue involved.

1. If I were taller, I would be the best basketball player. (Secod conditional-unreal present)

fact: I am not taller, I am not the best basketball player.

2. I
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Thank you Hamid for your reply.

That was really useful.

Regards,

Iman

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