Hi can anybody help me please?
Sentence: "If it isn't problem, I'd love a cup of coffee."
I have this one sentence with second conditional, but there is used present simple (isn't) not past simple (weren't). Why? I'm really confused, thanks for help
My two centimes d'euro:Originally Posted by Milo
Maybe "If it wasn't a problem" would imply that there is actually a problem, in that case, "I'd love" would express some kind of regret.
"If it isn't" leaves the door open, it's just a way of saying, I hope you won't mind...
Hey, teachers, am I right?![]()
I would read it slightly differently. Here, you have an ordinary Type 2 conditional:
1. "Do you want a cup of coffee?" "If I had the time, I'd have one. But I have to go now, unfortunately."
The "would" indicates "the remote": the speaker is speculating.
But here –
2. "Do you want something to drink?" "Well, if it isn't a problem, I'd love a cup of coffee."
– the "would" indicates "politeness": "I'd love" is a set phrase, for when we ask for something "politely but with enthusiasm".
In effect, your sentence is a "polite" Type 1: it's the polite version of:
3. "If it isn't a problem, I'll have a cup of coffee."
MrP
Very clear indeed, thank you very much for this explanation MrP![]()