Quote:
Originally Posted by Tdol  Yes, you can. This is the form where 'if' can be replaced with 'should', which is the topic of the thread.  |
1. So Tdol to put them on
a scale of possibility and probability:
-
Should replaced with if (zero to first conditional: increases possibility)
Should takes it into the first conditional. It's called the zero conditional as they express certainty not probability.
-
If replaced with should (decreases probability: first to second conditional)
In BE, we do replace 'if' with 'should' in the first conditional and it seems to reduce the probability of the condition being met, like a halfway house to the second conditional.
2. So In all cases
should functions as a border crossing from zero conditional to first conditional and then again from first conditional to second conditional.
3. BTW
when is not conditional at all because it doesn’t set a condition. It refers to time: “When he comes” means I know he comes but I don’t know the time whereas “if he comes” means I don’t know.
4.What about
provided that and
given..