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Nkspb Posted 10 years ago
Grammar
Mixed First and Second Conditional
Hello everybody. Could you explain, please?
Here's a sentence I stumbled upon:
"If it moves, the piece would be captured."
Why is "would" used here?
How does it change the meaning in comparison with "will", which seems to be the only correct way to me? Is it a common structure?
Thanks!
Here's a sentence I stumbled upon:
"If it moves, the piece would be captured."
Why is "would" used here?
How does it change the meaning in comparison with "will", which seems to be the only correct way to me? Is it a common structure?
Thanks!
Top answer
The most coordinated combinations are: If it moved, the piece would be captured. (more hypothetical) If it moves, the piece will be captured. (less hypothetical) However, you may come across "mixed" versions like your example.
- The most coordinated combinations are: If it moved, the piece would be captured.
- (more hypothetical) If it moves, the piece will be captured.
- (less hypothetical) However, you may come across "mixed" versions like your example.
- There is normally no particularly good reason for this, and no particular significance in terms of meaning.
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1 Answers
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The most coordinated combinations are:
If it moved, the piece would be captured. (more hypothetical)
If it moves, the piece will be captured. (less hypothetical)
However, you may come across "mixed" versions like your example. There is normally no particularly good reason for this, and no particular significance in terms of meaning.
If it moved, the piece would be captured. (more hypothetical)
If it moves, the piece will be captured. (less hypothetical)
However, you may come across "mixed" versions like your example. There is normally no particularly good reason for this, and no particular significance in terms of meaning.
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