If only
Hello everyone,
Can we use "if only" with first and second conditional?as follows:
- If only he help them, they will be so glad.
Regards,
JA
Top answer
Joseph A If only he help them, they will be so glad. This sentence isn't right. You may mean something like this: If only he were to help them, they would be so glad.
- Joseph A If only he help them, they will be so glad.
- This sentence isn't right.
- You may mean something like this: If only he were to help them, they would be so glad.
- If only he would help them, they would be so glad.
- "if only" expresses a desired outcome that the speaker perhaps fears will not happen.
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Joseph AIf only he help them, they will be so glad.
This sentence isn't right. You may mean something like this:
If only he were to help them, they would be so glad.
If only he would help them, they would be so glad.
0Joseph ACan we use "if only" with first and second conditional?
Yes, and in the third as well, but it doesn't sound as natural to me in the first conditional.
In reality, "if only" is used more often as an exclamation without a consequent clause and has the effect of a fervent wish. The single if-clause is not often in the first conditional,
0
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