Apperently it is a conditional statement. It means something like, "If asked, I would say..." Kind of a strange use of the word, but it is often used that way.

Why should we use 'would' ,'could' in the subjunctive mood and in the future tense? would and could , along with several other verbs, are called modal verbs. The modal verbs don't really have tenses, so you can't really use

Very interesting topic. In English you would say I said I loved you (both said and love use the same tense). In my own language I would say the above sentence only if "loving" is no longer true. Otherwise I would say I said I love

Hey CalifJim, Thanks for your reply. I'm looking for a good textbook to learn this. What would you recommend? Thanks, Cooi

I'll know who won when I watch the match. If he misses work today it will not be the first time that he has missed work. (Because you start the sentence with an "If he misses work today," everything that follows is treated as a

I'm asking someone a question and he replies with a joke: I guess you wouldn't believe me if I said I was Kirk Douglas.. Shouldn't it be were instead of was since it's a conditional sentence?

What if I was wrong about her? What if I were wrong about her? Both are used but do they have the same conditional meaning?

If that end (he wanted to unify Germany) COULD BE ACHIEVED without war, he WAS PREPARED to do without (a war). Strange. I see nothing odd in the sentence. As I understand it, both could and was are simply in the past tense. CB

Could someone PLEASE explain in detail this conditional sentence that I read in a biography about a famous German leader. I understand its meaning. But I'd like someone to explain the grammar: If that end (he wanted to unify Germany) COULD BE

Because in reality, he didn't have the time. So in order to express his regret, he used the past conditional. Wishful thinking: I wish I had a few more days in New York to spend with you. (But I am leaving tomorrow).