Quote:
Originally Posted by weiming  When we use what I will call an "imaginary potential" situation, "would" is needed, and not "will". For example:
"If you were ever hurt, I would be sad." |
I forgot this but it's so important I thought I should clear it up now.
In an "imaginary potential" situation, either 'will' or 'would' can be used.
"If you're ever hurt, I will be sad."
Present tense FORM 'IF' sentences also describe "imaginary potential" situations. Again, as you noted, it's up to the speaker. The relationship between more remote/less remote conditionals isn't an either/or thing. It's a scale running from
highly possible --> "When you're hurt, ...
to more remote --> If you're hurt ...
to even more remote --> If you were hurt, ...
to a clear counterfactual --> If I were/was you, ...