conditional

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Anonymous

#536500 Fri, 04 Jul 08 03:32 AM

Hi,
Please tell me if these what looks to be conditionals are correct.

Would you please let me know as soon as possible if you would like to attend this seminar.

I think CalifJim said something like the modal 'would' is possible in the if-clause, if you meant it as a sign of politeness. Someting like this:

If you would hand me that spoon, I will/would appreciate it. -- I think both 'will' and 'would' are possible here.

And I think he also seemed to have said something like the if part and the main part are expecting something reciprocal, then the modal 'would' is possible in the if-clase and/or main clause.

If you would give me a pen,I would give you a pencil.

Does the words 'as if' the same effect as 'if'? I see them in sentences that are similar to conditionals but am not sure.

He looks as if he is about to cry. - first conditional?
He looked as if he were going to cry.- second conditional?

Anonymous

Clauses, Modals, Conditionals

CalifJim

#536515 Fri, 04 Jul 08 03:59 AM

Anonymous
Would you please let me know as soon as possible if you would like to attend this seminar.

Correct.

Anonymous
If you would hand me that spoon, I will/would appreciate it.

would OK, not will.

Anonymous
If you would give me a pen,I would give you a pencil.

Just barely OK. More idiomatic with will, thus: If you'll give me a pen, I'll give you a pencil.

Anonymous
He looks as if he is about to cry. - first conditional?
He looked as if he were going to cry.- second conditional?

I'm not aware of any classification of the as if constructions into first, second, and third. From what I've seen, they can parallel the first, second, and third conditionals in their tense patterns, but usage is much more free. That is, they don't always conform strictly to those numbered conditional patterns. Like so many other cases, the "past" form can be borrowed into a present tense setting, thus: He looks as if he were about to cry.