Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Conditional Sentences


In the following sentence, Sheldon is using an exceptional form of conditional sentences. This form of sentences is highlighted in the following table. 


Sheldon: 
I'm being petty? You know Barry and I have a professional rivalry. You heard him-- he told me to suck eggs. If we were friends, he would have suggested I suck something more pleasantWhy are you laughing? Did you learn something?

Conditional SentencesType II (unlikely)

Condition refers to:
IF Clause
Main Clause
present / future event
Simple Past
If I had a lot of money, …
Conditional I
…I would travel around the world.
consequence in the past
Simple Past
If I knew him, …
Conditional II
…I would have said hello.


More examples:

  1. A couple of minutes ago, I tried to reach Sue on the phone, but I'm afraid she is not there because …
    If she were at the office, she would have answered the phone.
  2. I am trying to reach Sue on the phone now, but I'm afraid she is not there because …
    If she were at the office, she would answer the phone.

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