By Modal verbs, Conditionals

Hi, A:How is it different? Is the zero conditional and the second and third ones type 1? I think CalifJim told us that the modal 'can' counts as present. 1.If you can make money, please use the money to help people. 2. If you can make money, use money to help people. 3. If you can...

Hi, Are these all examples of the first conditional? If a if-clause is in the present tense, then any modal verbs can be used and it would still be a first conditional sentence? A zero conditional sentence is the one only states general rules and can't use modal verbs? All first...

It seems both Marius and Magic have Swan's book.I just look at it to find out the model verb 'would'.However, this is a tall order for me. I am not a native English speaker.I mean there are many ways one can play with the modal verb 'would'.Marius could do it easily because English is his native...

Are they functionally the same ...?Yes. Sort of. would alone makes the past time reference in 2. would have makes it a (hypothetical) past in conditionals like 3. Some people would consider it a hypothetical future of the past, however. CJ

Hi, I think you can use 'would' to make a past time reference as well as to the present and future time references. 1. Expressing present time politeness: Would you mind moving to the left, I have to sit with my baby? Of course, It's my pleasure. 2. Making a past time reference: When I...

Neeraj Jain wrote:Hi Maris, If I have just one sentence: I could play tennis well. can it be used to refer to the present tense?Strictly speaking, only to conditional future (or past, of course). See my examples above. Some see that as kind of a present.

Yes, I would agree that all are type 1. In #3 and #4, the "will" is replaced by a different modal verb; in #2, the "will" is replaced by modal phrase ("might decide to"). In all three, the effect is of greater tentativeness in the main clause. MrP

Thank you, Mr. M. When the modal verb "would" is used, it seems to be used to in a conditional sense (or in a hypothetical situation if both means the same) almost all the time, but my question is "Can the modal verb "would" be used to say just (and no other like "hypothetical" or "conditional")...

I think the following would be considered a typical Type 3 Conditional. If I had studied hard in college, I would have become a successful person. Yes. This is a typical Type 3 conditional. If ... had ..., would have .... Here, I think would is a modal verb for a clause that...

Hi, I think the following would be considered a typical Type 3 Conditional. If I had studied hard in college, I would have become a successful person. Here, I think would is a modal verb for a clause that states the result of an imaginary situation that could have happened in the past, and it...