The subjuctive mood (2)

Question

Could you tell me whether following sentences are correct or not?

Thanks.

=

If it rained now, I wouldn't go fishing.

If it were raining now, I wouldn't go fishing.

If it rain now, I would't go fishing.

If he were faithful, she wouldn't leave him.

If he be faithful, she wouldn't leave him.

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

lucas21cIf it rained now, I wouldn't go fishing.

If it were raining now, I wouldn't go fishing.

~~If it rain now, I would't go fishing.~~

If he were faithful, she wouldn't leave him.

~~If he be faithful, she wouldn't leave him.~~

As shown. (The one with were raining is probably the more common of the "rain" examples.)

The use of the present subjunctive after if is not a part of modern English.

CJ

Toms Mathew · Answer

lucas21cCould you tell me whether following sentences are correct or not?

Thanks.

==

If it rained now, I wouldn't go fishing.

If it were raining now, I wouldn't go fishing.

If it rain now, I would't go fishing.

If he were faithful, she wouldn't leave him.

~~If he be faithful, she wouldn't leave him.~~

Hello,

There are three types of If (conditional) clauses.
If Clause Type I
if + Simple Present, will-Future

Type I indicates what will happen, provided that a certain situation is given.

Examples:

If you send your order by fax, we will deliver the goods immediately.
If you invite me for lunch, I will help you with your presentation.
If Clause Type II
if + Simple Past, would + infinitive

Type II indicates what could happen if a present situation were different.

Examples:

If we had more employees, we would work more efficiently.
If we delivered poor quality, we would not be the leading company in our business.
If Clause Type III
if + Past Perfect, would + have + past participle

Type III indicates what could have happened in the past if a situation had been different then.

Examples:

If you had read the paper, you would have seen the advertisement.
If I had taken the bus, I would have been late.

also

If I were a bird, I would fly in the sky

I am not a bird and I can never fly in the sky.

Any way never the last sentence.

Ferdis · Answer

Toms Mathew
If Clause Type II
if + Simple Past, would + infinitive

Just one sidenote: this is the simple past subjunctive, not the simple past indicative. However, the only time a difference shows is for the verb 'to be'; i.e., If I were taller, not was.

The subjuctive mood (2)

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If Clause Type II

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