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Davidrock65 Posted 19 years ago
Grammar
If
Dear teachers
a)If you come, something might happen.
b)If you came, something might happen.
What's the difference between the two sentences?
Thanks for help!
a)If you come, something might happen.
b)If you came, something might happen.
What's the difference between the two sentences?
Thanks for help!
Top answer
"If you came something might happen" — it's an unreal present conditional. Don't get "unreal" literally, it just emphasizes that the event is not probable. » — here is described the hero's supposed behavior in a hypothetical present (or future) situation.
- "If you came something might happen" — it's an unreal present conditional.
- Don't get "unreal" literally, it just emphasizes that the event is not probable.
- » — here is described the hero's supposed behavior in a hypothetical present (or future) situation.
- "If you come something might happen" — I am not sure it is correct.
- I'd rather say: "If you come something will happen", which is a real (meaning more "real" than the "uneal conditional") present conditional.
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5 Answers
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"If you came something might happen" — it's an unreal present conditional. Don't get "unreal" literally, it just emphasizes that the event is not probable.
«I you offered me a $1000 (right now) I would not accept it.» — here is described the hero's supposed behavior in a hypothetical present (or future) situation.
"If you come something might happen" — I am not sure it is correct
«I you offered me a $1000 (right now) I would not accept it.» — here is described the hero's supposed behavior in a hypothetical present (or future) situation.
"If you come something might happen" — I am not sure it is correct
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To be honest, I can see no semantic difference. Either would be quite acceptable.
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Umm, and it makes me wonder... umm
Davidrock65b)If you came, something might happen.That sentence could be a classic conditional sentence, if you came (but you are not going to come), something might happen. But I was wondering if the past tense in the if-clause can have another meaning, that is, it's a past tense used in order to sound more polite or les
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The first is a matter-of-fact statement. This result comes about if this condition is fulfilled. The connection between the condition and the result is in some way fixed and universally true.
The second is a hypothetical statement. In an imaginary world where we think of what could be, this result comes about if this condition is fulfilled.
In this particular example,
The second is a hypothetical statement. In an imaginary world where we think of what could be, this result comes about if this condition is fulfilled.
In this particular example,
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CalifJimIn this particular example, the distinction is diluted -- even neutralized -- by the use of might as well as by the vagueness of something might happen.Nicely put, CJ.
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