Storytelling with Conditionals

Okay, Jack. You recognize that in the former, the focus is on the general condition, where 'I' work, whereas in the second the focus is on some work performed 'yesterday'.

So too, when we talk in an subjunctive/imaginary mood/manner about any given thing, we can focus on the general condition or we can focus on the "potential" finished action. These "potential" actions would, of course, only occur if we could actually operate in this fantasy world.

In some circumstances, with some word choices, it becomes virtually impossible to focus on both finished action or general condition, but in other cases, circumstances allow us to do so.

2. This fish was clear like the cool water and would not be seen at all if it were not
for two golden eyes

Here the focus is on the general condition of the "golden eyes". Let's put this into an imaginary reality situation and say there actually is a fish that's totally clear, just like water. This requires you to put yourself into an imaginary situation wherein such a fish exists.

Now, we can talk about this "real" fish using present tense FORMS. Without its 'golden eyes', we can't see it in the water.

This fish (that I'm showing you) is clear like the cool water (it comes from) and without its two golden eyes, (I then cut them out) {sorry gang, it was already dead} when I put it back in the water, it disappears, you just can't see it.

This fish is clear like the cool water and it will not be seen at all if it didn't have golden eyes.

Now, staying in this imaginary situation, let's shift our focus to the finished action.


1. & 3. This fish was clear like the cool water and would not have been seen at all if it had not been for two golden eyes.

Now, we're back in a fantasy world. We know this because of the change in word choice. Past tense FORMS + 'if' mean doubtful to impossible. Here it obviously means impossible. But in 1 & 3, the speaker shifts their focus to the finished action.

1. This fish was clear like the cool water and would not have been seen at all (by us, this time) if it had not been for ITS two golden eyes (that the person is staring at in this imaginary situation).

Jack:
I have read your post. I think I need some time to think about it.

JTT:

The Truth of this situation: 1) JTT explained it badly. 2) Jack doesn't understand now.

Your turn, Jack. Write the following, one sentence for each

A. The Unreal Conditional, focusing on your present condition:

If

The Truth of this situation: 1) JTT explained it badly. 2) Jack didn't understand when he finished reading the post.

B. The Unreal Conditional focusing on the action at the time you finished reading the last post.

If

A. The Unreal Conditional, focusing on your present condition:

If I understood this, I wouldn't be so frustrated. PERFECT

B. The Unreal Conditional focusing on the action at the time you finished reading the last post.

If I had understood what you wrote, I wouldn't have posted. PERFECT

JTT: We're making great progress, Jack. From your responses, you seem to understand it very well. Now let's mix them up.

A. The Unreal Conditional, focusing 1) on the past posting, a past action; and 2) on your present condition:

Jack's turn: If


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You say you are puzzled by; "How do I know which one to pick?" Is this true?

Let's say you have two choices in front of you, apple juice and orange juice. Which one do you pick? Well, of course, in normal circumstances, you pick the one you want. It's the same with these conditionals; you pick the one that expresses what you want to say.

A. The Unreal Conditional, focusing 1) on the past posting, a past action; and 2) on your present condition:

Jack's turn: If I had understood what you meant, I wouldn't be wondering about this right now. PERFECT

JTT: You have used one option, correctly, I must add; you are certainly NOT restricted to this one option.

Okay, we're getting there. Keep your chin up, Jack. Rome wasn't built in a day. Once more, it's your turn. This time, the same 'if' focus but in the seond part shift the focus to the grammatical style that shows your normal, routine, habitual condition.

A. The Unreal Conditional, focusing 1) on the past posting, a past action; and 2) on your normal, routine, habitual condition:

Jack's turn: If I


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JT:
You say you are puzzled by; "How do I know which one to pick?" Is this true?

Jack: Yes, This is especially true when I'm telling a story, not a past life experience story though. When I'm telling an imaginary story in the past, should I use a type 2 or a type 2 conditional?


JTT:
Let's say you have two choices in front of you, apple juice and orange juice. Which one do you pick? Well, of course, in normal circumstances, you pick the one you want. It's the same with these conditionals; you pick the one that expresses what you want to say.

Jack: I find it frustrating to pick one, I understand conditionals in life but when it comes to imaginary stories, I don't get it.

JJT: Let's leave this aspect alone just for a wee bit longer, okay?

A. The Unreal Conditional, focusing 1) on the past posting, a past action; and 2) on your normal, routine, habitual condition:

Jack's turn: If I hadn't [get] got something you posted, I would keep asking questions. BASICALLY PERFECT IN INTENT

I think this is right. I had some difficulties with this one. I thought about it for a while though even though I knew it was right. I guess it's the meaning. Maybe I didn't get which one to use, I thought about why not use conditional #2?

Like this one:
B. If I didn't get something, I would keep asking questions.

JTT: The whole point is they are right, Jack. Of course, you can use a second conditional in B because, at that time, when you spoke, that was your focus.

You're doing great. Let's take a small step back.

TRUTH: 1. Jack didn't understand JTT's posting. RESULT: 2. He doesn't understand now.

JTT: Let's take a small step back. A 'counterfactual' is just the opposite, the flip side of a factual.

So, part 1, a negative ( - ) becomes a positive,

Jack didn't ( -) understand that posting. ----> If Jack had ( + ) understood then,

Part 2, a negative ( - ) becomes a positive,

He doesn't ( - ) understand now. ---> he would ( + ) understand now.

+++++++++++++++++++

1. Truth: I was born in Canada.

2. Truth: I'm 54 years old.

3. Truth: I just finished eating some chocolate cookies and milk at 8:30 PM.

4. Truth: My ex-girfriend's name is Belinda.

5. Truth: I used to live in Canada.

6. Truth: I own some cattle.

Write six counterfactuals to these truths from your own perspective, Jack. Let the 'if' clause reflect, first, the counterfactual to, [truth] "You are not me".

Next, write again about the same truths, using as your 'if' clause, the counterfactual to, [truth] "You were not born as me."

You should have 12 counterfactual sentences when you finish. Then I'll check them.