You will notice that were often substitutes for was after if when the main clause contains would or could . It's used for "unreal" situations. In your example, the person is not alive today, so the idea is expressed with were

The "if" subjunctive variety was not the main issue here. At this juncture, we are not particularly concerned about the "if" conditionals, or degree of possibility and certainty. Perhaps that's another topic. The heavy

The New York Public Library's Writer's Guide to Style and Usage has this important note on the subjunctive: "The words if, as if , or as though do not always signal the subjunctive mood. If the information in such a clause points out

Kooyeen, Do you mean "real" as contrasted to "unreal" in the sense of Type 1 (real) and Type 2 (unreal) conditionals? Or do you mean just the ordinary usage of "real" in the sense of "actual",

Exactly? No. There are no "exact definitions". Each of these has multiple usages. should - it is advisable; it is a good idea (for ... to ...) You should buy that car. ~ It is advisable for you to buy that car. ~ In my opinion, it is a

Thanks for replying AlpeccaStars and Clive. AlpheccaStars, just wondering, which defintion does this usage of 'would' fall into? Is it the second one? Thank you again. (M-W) 1 a archaic : WISHED, DESIRED b archaic : wish for : WANT c (1)

Thanks for your answers. I have some more questions. then using "will" instead of "would" is incorrect? let's imagine another one situation. *Another situation* ** A party will be held tomorrow, and "Jane"

If you were sure he (?) come, I would...... this question is about tense usage in subordinate clauses in conditional sentences. I know we have to change the tense in the main clause into past when we refer to something unreal or something

Hi Kooyeen Personally, I think one of the reasons that mixed conditionals aren't discussed more often is that the context often must be explained in quite a bit of detail in order to understand the logic and/or to justify the usage. The word

Ali Asoag schrieb: credoquaabsurdum schrieb: This is a difficult question and there are few easy answers to this one. Properly doing so in a responsible manner would take pages, and But nevertheless, could you tell me - in some sentences - what