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Maj Posted 23 years ago
Grammar

"If" - conditional

What kind of conditional sentences are the following?

-If I just crossed the road, would that be all right?
-If I just cross the road, will that be all right?
-If I had crossed the road, would that have been alright?
  

Top answer

Hi maj, a) -If I just crossed the road, would that be all right? ---> is the "Potentialis" which expresses situations and actions that are hardly possible: "If I crossed the road" implies the meaning: the possibility is given, but the action will hardly be fulfilled because of maybe having enough intellect to know that crossing the road would be dangerous, so you wouldn't do it. " b) -If I just cross the road, will that be all right?

— Pemmican

  • Hi maj, a) -If I just crossed the road, would that be all right?
  • ---> is the "Potentialis" which expresses situations and actions that are hardly possible: "If I crossed the road" implies the meaning: the possibility is given, but the action will hardly be fulfilled because of maybe having enough intellect to know that crossing the road would be dangerous, so you wouldn't do it.
  • " b) -If I just cross the road, will that be all right?
  • ---> is the "Realis" which expresses situations and actions that are possible and can also be fulfilled.
  • "If I now cross the road" implies that you have the possibility to cross the road.
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1 Answers
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Hi maj,

a) -If I just crossed the road, would that be all right?
---> is the "Potentialis" which expresses situations and actions that are hardly possible:
"If I crossed the road" implies the meaning: the possibility is given, but the action will hardly be fulfilled because of maybe having enough intellect to know that crossing the road would be dangerous, so you wouldn't
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