In Conditionals^x, Tenses^x, Conversations^x

I would have taken a boat if I had known that New York was / is across the river from New Jersey.In conversation, people often express these "currently existing conditions" in past tense when they're talking about something they did in the past. But when they write it down, they...

The first sentence means essentially the same as "...can/will you lend me some?", but "could/would" has the effect of "softening" the request -- making it seem less direct. The use of "happen to have" (as opposed to just "have") makes no...

I know 'would' carries many meanings. My problem is sometimes I find it difficult to tell which meaning the speaker uses. I think I understand its hypothetical usage, and in some contexts, its politeness usage. Below is a post that has several woulds I have trouble interpreting. I also...

Hi Bokeh, Becasue of your reply, it made me take a second look at the original question. I also did some research and found this paper written on the subject of Semantic Composition of Subjunctive Conditionals by Michela Ippolito of MIT/Tübingen University. I am not completely sure if I...

1. If he (was, were) over 18, he would have been hired. You need were here, as it's a contrary-to-the-fact assertion (he wasn't over 18), esp in formal contexts. I mean were is better than was, but still not the best (see further). See: --------- EXCEPTION If I...

Hi Tanit, No I wouldn't say that for me personally that mixed conditionals are never acceptable in writing - however, written and spoken English do display different characteristics. I think that many native speakers feel that when they commit something to paper or the computer screen, then all...

I'd choose #1 as well: 1. Jack wouldn't drive fast on a road where he didn't know how long it was. This is in effect a type 2 conditional. It means that Jack (in our opinion) is unlikely to drive fast on a road if he doesn't know how long it is. Using 'would' + past tense makes the sentence...

That's not an option, Jim. If you state something that I believe is mistaken, I'll lay out the facts and the chips will fall where they may. I'd expect no less from you. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Sir, please take a look at that conversation: MAVERICK88:--------- Is it grammatical to say:...

Hello, Mr Pedantic. May I call you Mr P? Of course you may, JTT. {Please don't ever take my direct manner in these discussions as any type of personal attack. I only want to address the facts. If I believe you or anyone to be in err, I'll plainly say so and I hope you and others will do the same...

Calif Jim I used past tense in the 'posing' example because I was imagining a press article describing the event. When we say "Manchester United are (or is) posing for photos", we are doing so in the belief that the listener or reader will infer we mean the players - or at least those players...