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ILE Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

If we "wanted to/want to" that is correct?

I'm wondering whether "If we wanted to, we can simplify this even more" or "If we want to, we can simplify this even more. "that is correct...Emotion: thinking

Thanks.

Isabelle
  

Top answer

1. If we wanted to, we could simplify this even more ( not " If we wanted to, we can simplify this even more" ). We use the present unreal conditional here.

— Debpriya De

  • 1.
  • If we wanted to, we could simplify this even more ( not " If we wanted to, we can simplify this even more" ).
  • We use the present unreal conditional here.
  • 2.
  • If we want to, we can simplify this even more.
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5 Answers
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1. If we wanted to, we could simplify this even more ( not "If we wanted to, we can simplify this even more").

We use the present unreal conditional here.

2. If we want to, we can simplify this even more. - This is okay.
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Hi.

I would say

If we want, we can simplify this further.

I hope it helps
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Debpriya De1. If we wanted to, we could simplify this even more ( not "If we wanted to, we can simplify this even more").
We use the present unreal conditional here.

2. If we want to, we can simplify this even more. - This is okay.
Thanks, Debpriya De, but do they mean the same thing? (I should have asked this in the first place,
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In sentence #1, we are talking about an improbable condition and the action that is contingent on that condition, whereas in sentence #2 we are talking about a more probable condition.

Consider the following sentences :

1. If I married her, I would keep her happy. (This sounds like a wish or a dream)

2. If I marry her, I will keep her happy. (This sounds more like a prom
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Thanks, Debpriya De. I see it now.

Isabelle
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