Talking to someone I really care about:

In the time of need I would really like it if I'm the first person you call.

OR

In the time of need I would really like it if I was the first person you call.

Are both okay here?

There's only one IF clause so does it count as a conditional?

Question

Talking to someone I really care about:In the time of need I would really like it if I'm the first person you call.ORIn the time of need I would really like it if I was the first person you call.Are both okay here?  There's only one IF clause so does it count as a conditional?

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

bebopThere's only one IF clause so does it count as a conditional?

Almost all conditionals have only one IF clause, so yes, of course it counts as a conditional.

How many IFs do you want?

bebopAre both okay here?

Yes. I find them both acceptable. I think I would say "a time of need", however.

CJ

Bebop · Answer

Aren't IF conditionals supposed to have two IFs?

CalifJim · Answer

bebopAren't IF conditionals supposed to have two IFs?

No. I wonder where you got that idea.

CJ

Bebop · Answer

Grammar links like this:

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/conditional2.htm

CalifJim · Answer

OK. Here are the first 10 conditional sentences I found on that grammar site. Please count the number of IFs in each of these 10 sentences. I have put them in boldface so it will be easy for you to find them.

1. If I have enough money, I will go to Japan. [How many IFs?]
2. If I had enough money, I would go to Japan. [How many IFs?]
3. If I had had enough money, I would have gone to Japan. [How many IFs]
4. If you help me with the dishes, I will help you with your homework. [and so on]
5. If the sum of the digits of a number is divisible by three, the number is divisible by three.
6. If you see Mr Fox tonight, tell him I am ill.
7. If he is late, we will have to go without him.
8. If my mother knows about this, we are in serious trouble.
9. If I knew her name, I would tell you.
10. If I were you, I would tell my father.
________

Which of the sentences above has two IFs? Which has three IFs?

CJ

Bebop · Answer

Oops! I must've missed that. But they do all seem to start with IF and stay in the same tense.

My sentence doesn't begin with IF and the first sentence doesn't stay in the same tense, so why is it correct?

CalifJim · Answer

bebopthey do all seem to start with IF

Yes, but as it says on that site, you can reverse the order of the clauses and basically you still have the same sentence. Look at these:

1. I will go to Japan if I have enough money.
2. I would go to Japan if I had enough money.
3. I would have gone to Japan if I had had enough money.
4. I will help you with your homework if you help me with the dishes.
5. A number is divisible by three if the sum of the digits of the number is divisible by three.

So you don't have to start with IF.

bebopthey ... stay in the same tense

Look at the first one. will go is future; have is present. I don't call that staying in the same tense!

So these conditional sentences do not stay in the same tense.
_________

You have some misunderstandings about these kinds of sentences. You need to find more websites that teach conditionals and read them very carefully.

CJ

Talking to someone I really care about: In the time of need I would really like it if I'm the first person you call. OR In the time of need I would really like it if I was the first person you call. Are both okay here? There's only one IF...

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