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Witiko Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Should as a substitute for the zero conditional?

Hello there,

Clearly a should-construction can be used as a substitute for the 1st conditional as can the past subjunctive mood of to be (were) be used in the stead of the 2nd conditional and had as for the 3rd one. Now, would it also be possible to use should instead of the zero conditional? I couldn't find any examples of real usage, since zero conditional is unjustly underused, but I still think the following sentence does seem legit:

If you eat a lot, you get fat. - Should you eat a lot, you get fat.

What do you think?

Edit: Actually, maybe it'd make more sense to omit the should completely? - You eat a lot, you get fat.
  

Top answer

Witiko If you eat a lot, you get fat. - Should you eat a lot, you get fat. e.

— Dimsumexpress

  • Witiko If you eat a lot, you get fat.
  • - Should you eat a lot, you get fat.
  • e.
  • when / If the weather turns icy, all flights get delayed, Both clauses are in present tense.
  • Witiko If you eat a lot, you get fat.
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6 Answers
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WitikoIf you eat a lot, you get fat. - Should you eat a lot, you get fat.
Zero condition is a statement expressing general truths which may or may not be constructed with an "if" clause, i.e. when / If the weather turns icy, all flights get delayed, Both clauses are in present tense.
WitikoIf you eat a lot, you get fat. -Should you ea
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dimsumexpressZero condition is a statement expressing general truths which may or may not be constructed with an "if" clause, i.e. when / If the weather turns icy, all flights get delayed, Both clauses are in present tense.
In that case, which one of the following sentences would be correct?
  • Should the weather turns icy, all flights get delayed.
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Read my earlier comments:

Should you eat a lot, you get fat. - This is not considered a conditional, zero or not. But it is grammatical to say: Should you need help, I'll be happy to assist you. Or, should you have question, please don't hesitate to call.
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I do get that it is not a conditional, although arguably it is a periphrasis of it. But that still doesn't answer my former question whether this sentence: Should the weather turns icy, all flights get delayed. is grammatically correct.
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Witiko Should the weather turns icy, all flights get delayed.
The pattern should be: Should + aux
Should the weather turns icy, all flights will be delayed.
Should the weather become icy, all flights could be cancelled.
Should the blizzard continue, the airport may be f
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