ESL General English Grammar Questions

Re: Conditional

Fayshiang — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 16:56:28 GMT

Hi,

Thanks! This is the most comprehensive one I've ever seen!

Re: Conditional

CalifJim — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 01:56:39 GMT

Try Googling "conditional sentences"

Here's an interesting one: http://www.icsi.berkeley.edu/~kay/bcg/lec07.html

Re: Conditional

Fayshiang — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 01:32:02 GMT

Thank you! Would you suggest any books or online materials that give a detailed explanation of conditional sentences?

Re: Conditional

CalifJim — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 21:40:17 GMT

Fayshiang
I'm learning conditional sentences.

You may be learning the three most usual conditional patterns. There are many, many more than the typical three found in textbooks.

There is no need to change any of the sentences you showed as examples. They are fine just as they were originally written.

Re: Conditional

Kooyeen — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 18:28:59 GMT

Hi,
I think conditional structures are pretty flexible. There are more than just three of them, and it is sometimes difficult to classify them. In addition, tenses are often mixed up that way in speech or non-edited writing. Also, "could" with present tenses doesn't bother me, or at least not as much as "would" in the same kinds of structures.

That said, I'm not a native speaker, so you might want to wait for someone else.

Conditional

Fayshiang — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:52:15 GMT

Hi,

I'm learning conditional sentences. I found in a forum these sentences which I believe is not right. So I corrected them. Do you agree with my corrections?

If the 10 largest U.S. airlines don't boost revenues and restructure loans, their cumulative cash could shrink 62 percent to about $8.6 billion by year's end, estimated Philip Baggaley, chief credit analyst at Standard & Poor's. (don't => didn't)

United, American and Northwest Airlines have all renegotiated covenants that would likely cause them to default on loans later this year if cash flows continue to decline. (continue => continued)

It could reduce flying further if fuel costs continue to rise, Mikells said. (continue => continued)

But that isn't nearly enough to cover the $23 billion jump in fuel costs that they face this year if oil stays at current levels, according to the Virginia-based market research firm. (isn't => won't be)

Thanks!