conditional 2

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Anonymous

#405259 Thu, 16 Aug 07 11:33 AM

Hi,

I think a typical type 2 conditional would look like this:

A person's life would be more fruitful if he spent more time reflecting on things that are happening around him.

Can this be correct too?

A person's life would be more fruitful if he spends more time reflecting on things that are happening around him.

If the main clause contains 'would be something', then the if-clause must alawys be in the past tense?

Anonymous

Clauses, Conditionals, Past tenses, Tenses

pieanne

#405357 Thu, 16 Aug 07 03:33 PM

I don't like it, but maybe others will have a different opinion

pieanne

Joined on Thu, Jan 20 2005

South of France ...But I'm Belgian!

Veteran Member (7,512)

I'm glad to help, but I'm not a native! And please excuse my typos...

Conditionals

Philip

#405358 Thu, 16 Aug 07 03:34 PM

Anonymous wrote:

Hi,

I think a typical type 2 conditional would look like this:

A person's life would be more fruitful if he spent more time reflecting on things that are happening around him.

Can this be correct too?

A person's life would be more fruitful if he spends more time reflecting on things that are happening around him. Incorrect

If the main clause contains 'would be something', then the if-clause must alawys be in the past tense?

Yes, past tense, unless you use the alternative: if he were to spend (subjunctive).

Philip

Joined on Thu, Jun 23 2005

USA Pacific Northwest (Seattle)

Veteran Member (6,283)

At reise er at leve! - H. C. Andersen

Clauses, Conditionals, Past tenses, Subjunctives, Tenses

CalifJim

#405484 Thu, 16 Aug 07 09:05 PM

Can this be correct too? A person's life would be more fruitful if he spends more ...

No. If you said it by mistake, you would be understood, but it's not the way people express those conditionals.

CJ

CalifJim

Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004

California

Veteran Member (17,568)

"There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche

Conditionals

Philip

#405546 Fri, 17 Aug 07 02:07 AM

CalifJim wrote:
Can this be correct too? A person's life would be more fruitful if he spends more ...

No. If you said it by mistake, you would be understood, but it's not the way people express those conditionals.

CJ

You would be understood, but it's not the way people express the conditional.

Philip

Conditionals