2015-08-21
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4.10 Basic form of Type 2 conditionals
| 'if-clause: | main clause: |
| past tense | 'would/should' |
| condition to be satisfied | likely outcome |
| be: If I was taller, | I would become a policeman |
| have. If he had any money, | he'd leave home |
| other verbs: If you took a taxi, | you'd get there quicker |
| could [> 11.12]: If you could see me now, | you'd laugh your head off |
Notes on the form of Type 2 conditionals
1 The most commonly used form is: 'if + simple past + "d' conditional If it rained tomorrow we'd stay at home In Type 2, if is followed by a past tense or could (= was/were able to). The main clause is normally formed with would, though should (weakened toin speech but not contracted to 'd in writing) can be used instead of would after / and we. Would is generally contracted to 'd in all persons in the main clause. Compare shall and will [> 9.36]. If is followed only exceptionally by would [> 14.24.1].
2 An unnecessary extra negative can occur in Type 2 conditionals: / wouldn't be surprised if he didn't try to blackmail you (i.e. if he tried to blackmail you) The not in the If-clause does not make a true negative.
When we use Type 2 conditionals
Type 2 conditionals talk about imaginary situations in the If-clause and speculate about their imaginary consequences in the main clause. Though past tenses are used, the reference is not to past time. (That is why this use of the past tense after if is often called 'the unreal past'.) By comparison, Type 1 conditionals [> 14.4] talk about things which will possibly happen and consider their real consequences for the future.
Depending on the attitude of the speaker, a Type 2 conditional can be used in place of a Type 1 to describe something that is reasonably possible. So:
If you went by train, you would get there earlier
If you didn't stay up so late every evening, you wouldn't feel so
sleepy in the morning mean the same, but are more 'tentative' than:
If you go by train, you will get there earlier
If you don't stay up so late every evening, you won't feel so sleepy
in the morning However, Type 2 conditionals more often describe what is totally impossible:
If I had longer legs, I'd be able to run faster
14 Conditional sentences
14.13 Type 2, Variation 1: 'If + were/was' + 'would/should'
'if-clause: 'were/was' condition to be satisfied
I/he/she/it were/was If
you/we/they were
