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Ravikumarkargam Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

Using unreal condition in rarely likely scenario

Hi,

Can I use unreal condition (if ...were....would) in rarely possible situation.

Here the situation is not completely unreal, it is possible but happens rarely.

Here is the sentence in this context expressed using unreal conditional statement & in a regular way. Please clarify which is correct?

(process in below sentence refers to computer process)

If the process were to abort abnormally, how would it pick only those records that were pickedup previously?

OR
If the process aborts abnormally, how will it pick only those records that were pickedup previously?



Regards,

Ravi
  

Top answer

Either one of these: 1) If the process aborts abnormally, how would it pick .... In this case, you expect the process to abort --- if only rarely. 2) If the process were to abort abnormally, how would it pick ...

— AlpheccaStars

  • Either one of these: 1) If the process aborts abnormally, how would it pick ....
  • In this case, you expect the process to abort --- if only rarely.
  • 2) If the process were to abort abnormally, how would it pick ...
  • In this case, you expect the process not to abort at all, but you have the case covered anyway.
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1 Answers
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Either one of these:

1) If the process aborts abnormally, how would it pick ....
In this case, you expect the process to abort --- if only rarely.

2) If the process were to abort abnormally, how would it pick ...
In this case, you expect the process not to abort at all, but you have the case covered anyway.
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