If

Question

H,Sorry for repeating myself.I posted about 'if' previously, but only one answer came from Anonymous, and I need further details,please.Frankly, I felt frustrated because none of the teachers responded.Are there  problems with the my questions?Here is my original post:A.What is the difference between the following?Are they all correct?1.The discussion resulted in stressing areas that need to be improved if one is to reach the desired outcome.2.The discussion resulted in stressing areas that needed to be improved if one were/was to reach the desired outcome.3.The discussion resulted in stressing areas that need to be improved if one were/was to reach the desired outcome.B.Do the following mean the same?1.If I had the money I need,I would buy a villa.2.If I had the money I needed, I would buy a villa.Thanks.

Fivejedjon · Accepted Answer

nsfs2Frankly, I felt frustrated because none of the teachers responded.

The people who respond in this forum are volunteers, who give up their free time to help. Occasionally a question gets overlooked. This may be frustration for the person who posted the question, but please don't express your frustration here. It's not as though you paid for the service.

nsfs2A.What is the difference between the following?Are they all correct?1.The discussion resulted in stressing areas that need to be improved if one is to reach the desired outcome.2.The discussion resulted in stressing areas that needed to be improved if one were/was to reach the desired outcome.3.The discussion resulted in stressing areas that need to be improved if one were/was to reach the desired outcome.

'The discussion resulted in stressing areas ... ' is a little awkward. I would say something like, 'The discussion highlighted areas ...'

#1 - whenever the discussion was, the speaker is suggesting that the areas still neeed to be improved.
#2 - whenever the discussion was, the speaker is reporting only that areas need to be improved at that time. We don't know if they still need to be improved. I'd go for 'if one were to reach ...'
#3 - This one doesn't work for me.

Nsfs2 · Answer

fivejedjon nsfs2Frankly, I felt frustrated because none of the teachers responded.The people who respond in this forum are volunteers, who give up their free time to help. Occasionally a question gets overlooked. This may be frustration for the person who posted the question, but please don't express your frustration here. It's not as though you paid for the service.nsfs2A.What is the difference between the following?Are they all correct?1.The discussion resulted in stressing areas that need to be improved if one is to reach the desired outcome.2.The discussion resulted in stressing areas that needed to be improved if one were/was to reach the desired outcome.3.The discussion resulted in stressing areas that need to be improved if one were/was to reach the desired outcome.'The discussion resulted in stressing areas ... ' is a little awkward. I would say something like, 'The discussion highlighted areas ...'#1 - whenever the discussion was, the speaker is suggesting that the areas still neeed to be improved.#2 - whenever the discussion was, the speaker is reporting only that areas need to be improved at that time. We don't know if they still need to be improved. I'd go for 'if one were to reach ...'#3 - This one doesn't work for me.

Thanks,fivejedjon.
I didn't mean to cause any negative effect.I definitely didn't choose the right words to express how I felt.

Does the same interpretation apply to my 'if' examples?

Once again,my apologies and my thanks to every teacher.

If

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions