Is vs. was in unreal conditional

Question

Maybe I was just lucky that all my previous supervisors were nice to me. But if ever I came across a bad one, maybe someone who (is, was) short-tempered, I don't think I would have any problem with that person.

1. Which is correct for the unreal conditional statement above: is or was?
2. If both are possible, what is the difference?
3. For an interview, do you think the unreal conditional is more appropriate than the real conditional for the paragraph above? If not, I would use "come" and "will have" for the if-clause and main clause, respectively.

Please advise. Thank you.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Hello,

Could someone help me with this, please? Thanks.

Yoong Liat · Answer

Maybe I was just lucky that all my previous supervisors were nice to me. But if ever I came across a bad one, maybe someone who is short-tempered, I don't think I would have any problem with that person.

Avangi · Answer

I'm still behind the curve on conditionals, but my ear says "was."

If I ever came across one who was short tempered, I don't think I would have a problem.

(But if I do come across one who is short tempered, I will let you know! / I don't think I will/would have a problem.)

I believe your choice of "came" determines the other tenses. It may be a bad choice for an interview, as you should be more forward looking.

- A.

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you, Yoong Liat and Avangi, for your comments and explanations here.

Avangi(But if I do come across one who is short tempered, I will let you know! / I don't think I will/would have a problem.)

I wonder why "would" is an option here when the if-clause is in the present form, which normally takes conditional I. Please clarify.

Avangi It may be a bad choice for an interview, as you should be more forward looking.

I'm not sure if I've understood this correctly. When you say "more forward looking", does it mean I should anticipate such a situation of coming across a short-tempered person, and should know how to deal with it?

Is conditional II not a good choice since I'm just telling a situation where one could possibly have a problem and how I would handle it if it were to happen?

Avangi · Answer

AnonymousI wonder why "would" is an option here when the if-clause is in the present form, which normally takes conditional I. Please clarify.

I'm afraid I'm not much help with the conditional formulas by the numbers. I'm basing my opinions on 74 years of "native" speaking, listening, and reading.

Will there be a problem if I give you half the money today and the rest tomorrow?

(reply) No. That would/will be okay.
The "would" is just more indirect. It may be incorrect, but it's natural.

AnonymousWhen you say "more forward looking", does it mean I should anticipate such a situation of coming across a short-tempered person, and should know how to deal with it?

Exactly. This would require using "come" instead of "came."

How do you feel about bad-tempered bosses? (reply) If I ever came across one, I think I could handle it.
This gives the impression to me that you feel fairly sure you won't come across one.
With the wrong tone, it might even be taken as confrontational.

"If I ever come across one" is more open to the possibility that you might.

Again, I'm going by experience here rather than the formula.

Anonymous · Answer

Thanks so much, Avangi. That was really helpful.

I often get confused about when to use 'would' or 'will', but I guess English isn't really as exact as Mathematics. Not all rules have to be followed prescriptively. There are some that have just become acceptable because of everyday use by native speakers themselves.

Again, thank you. I really appreciate it.

Avangi · Answer

You're welcome.
The way I see it, "would" and "will" have multiple uses which are not necessarily parallel. In some cases the difference is tense, and in some cases not.

Anonymous · Answer

What sometimes actually confuses me is the "will/would" use in the present tense. I wonder what the difference is in meaning between them in the dialogue below.

John: Would you like me to get you some coffee?
Ana: That (will, would) be nice.

Avangi · Answer

Anonymous I wonder what the difference is in meaning between them in the dialogue below.

John: Would you like me to get you some coffee?
Ana: That (will, would) be nice.

It would be nice if you did it. (If you did it, it would be nice.)

"Will" seems to remove the condition: "That will be nice, when you do it." (We assume it's a done deal.)

But you can also bring back the conditional: Yes. That will be nice - (aside) if you doit.

If you bring me some coffee, I shall be pleased.
If you will bring me some coffee, I'll give you a dollar.
If you will bring me some coffee, I would be so grateful!

I doubt any of these conform to the formulas.

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you, Avangi, for your explanation.

I see there could be an implied conditional in the example I gave.

AvangiIf you bring me some coffee, I shall be pleased.
If you will bring me some coffee, I'll give you a dollar.
If you will bring me some coffee, I would be so grateful!

I doubt any of these conform to the formulas.

I think the first sentence could be classified under conditional I, although "shall" was used instead of "will". I'm just guessing about this, though; while the second and third sentences don't really conform to the formulas because of the "no future in the if-clause" rule. But then again, some are acceptable to native speakers even though they don't conform to the rules.

Is vs. was in unreal conditional

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