In Mixed conditionals^x

Wow CalifJim, thanks to you I now completely understand the usage! I owe you a lot! I would say that these became mixed conditionals through the substitution of were for had been, which is a common substitution, especially in everyday conversation. I would say that the 'original'...

I would say that these became mixed conditionals through the substitution of were for had been, which is a common substitution, especially in everyday conversation. I would say that the 'original' thoughts and meanings were: If you had been paying attention, it wouldn't have happened. If...

Hi,I don't think those are really mixed conditionals, but you know, it depends what you mean by "mixed".If you were paying attention to your assignment, it wouldn't have happened. <--- You are not paying attention, that's why it happened (just now, probably). If she were working for Moretti,...

1. You said "If tomorrow is nice, I could go for a walk" is a mixed conditional? Yes. The 'unmixed' form is "If tomorrow is nice, I can go for a walk." But that "could" is not counterfactual, so I think those kinds of sentences are fine as they are. Yes, it's OK. Do you usually say "You...

Thank you so much! You posted a lot... are you still ok? I'm still convinced modals are toxic. The problem is that I am even more confused! Everything in your post was confusing to me I've been trying to understand this for a long time, now I feel like all I know is wrong... I think I'll...

A) Are there any verbs that are usually not backshifted, and the whole sentence is rearranged instead? I think you mentioned "should". For example, if someone says "I should see a doctor", the reported version would be "He said he had to see a doctor" or "He said he'd better see a doctor" or...

If I go on bended knee to the boss, do you think she'd give me my job back? (Longman) Why "would give"? "going on bended knee" is real. Why isn't it "will give"? why is it imaginary? I take she'd give as she'll be willing to give -- in other words the "volitional" meaning of would, not the...

Hi Trex Your sentence is a "mixed conditional". Perhaps the writer at Longman thought that begging/pleading (on bended knee) was far more probable than actually getting the job back.

No, a mixed conditional doesn't work in this context. The future success is no longer possible at all because Mike has already informed the new head of the library about what he was thinking about doing. You might look at the situation as this: Mike's possible future book-sneaking success is...

New2grammar wrote: Mike: You know what? I plan to sneak out a book from the library next week. John: You successful if you hadn't told me because I'm the new head of the library, don't you know? Which are the correct modals? Thanks! Would you still choose 'could have been'? I know it...