In Conditionals^x, Tenses^x, Constructions^x

Jackson:#1 "do" is a verb. (auxiliary) not an adverb. "need" is the main verb; the object is the infinitive phrase..("need to" is synonymous with "have to")#2 say is the main verb, Need is an auxiliary verb. Like the auxiliaries can or may, it does not...

Hi all,Thanks in advance for your help in answering this question. I'm trying to explain to a non-native English speaker that a certain usage is either incorrect or awkward, but I find myself unable to do so. At this point, I'm just confusing myself in trying to explain it.So her...

I'm not aware of any classification of the as if constructions into first, second, and third. From what I've seen, they can parallel the first, second, and third conditionals in their tense patterns, but usage is much more free. That is, they don't always conform strictly to those...

Hi,... and somebody says it's subjunctive. See also:http://www.englishforums.com/English/ChangingTenses/dqcdx/post.htmhttp://www.englishforums.com/English/WhichSentencesAreCorrect/zjbhp/post.htm

MarvinTheMartian wrote: I can't make up my mind which tense to use in the following sentence: "If it hadn't been for the remarkable opening passage, I would have assumed that the recital would be / have been a bore. I've seen both tenses used in similar constructions. Is it safe to assume...

Anonymous wrote: What is the tense of this sentence,is it talkig about past or not?plz explain for me... If Maria succeeded, then everyone would sit up and take notice thanks alot This could be interpreted to refer to something that happened several times in the past (if = when; would =...

Newbie2007 wrote: Quangtn03 wrote: Hi newbie."I wish you will have..." is a true conditional sentence. I think this is a letter so the writer have a wish for his friend.The latter is "I wish you will be happy", not "I wish be happy". He write for friend not for himself. Are you ok? Tell me what...

Thank you, Guru Geek. I appreciate your support.My teacher's emphatic claim is that for instruction manuals, such as the assignment for which this introductory statement was drafted, the construction if you do..., you get... is how her previous editors have instructed her. She hammers home the...

Lin1978 wrote:Thank you, Master Yankee. Your answer is quite clear. But I still have one small question. Last time my teacher told me that, "if I have two different subjects in a main clause and in a conditional, and I want to use the participle phrase, I have to keep both two subjects or change...

I think it is more an observation than a rule, Hanuman, but simple present tense is used to denote future meanings in dependent conditional and temporal clauses (clauses introduced by when, if, unless, etc) instead of the will construction. It also appears in some that clauses: I hope (that) it...