Possible difficult question (I think) on conditional sentences

Question

Hi. What should we do when we see a sentence that has a second or third conditional (pattern?) sentence in a sentence with a main verb in past tense? I think the second and third conditional are usually used in a setting where a person is looking (could think of any better word, sorry) at the past action or event which is unlikely or impossible to be realized or to have been realized, that is noted in the sentences, from a present-time frame. (I am not sure what I said is correct.) Would it make any difference if we replaced the word "thought" with the words like "felt" and "knew"? If the main verb were "think," then I think it would make sense for both cases.

I think/thought he would buy it if he had $40 dollars at his disposal.

I think/thought he would have bought it if he had had $40 dollars in his hand.

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

AnonymousWhat should we do when we see a sentence that has a second or third conditional (pattern?)

It depends on the sentence. For some of them, you need to be very patient and wait quietly in the hope that they will go away. For others, you need to scream very loudly, and call the police and report them.

______

The second conditional is associated with the present point of view -- present time.
The third conditional is associated with the past point of view -- past time.

That said, the corresponding introductory clause of which the conditional structure is the complement can be in either point of view. The introductory clause then signals that the second conditional complement is in the same point of view as the introductory clause, and the third conditional is in a point of view anterior (previous in time) to the introductory clause.

I [think / thought / know / knew / believe / believed / feel / felt] (that)
he {would buy / would have bought} it if he {had / had had} $40.

I think that | he would buy it if he had $40. Present | same time = present.
I think that | he would have bought it if he had had $40. Present | anterior time = past.

I thought that | he would buy it if he had $40. Past | same time = past.
I thought that | he would have bought it if he had had $40. Past | anterior time = before the past.

Changing think to believe, know, or feel does not change these basic facts.

CJ

PS. $ means dollars, so write either $40 or 40 dollars, but not $40 dollars, which is 40 dollars dollars.

Possible difficult question (I think) on conditional sentences

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions