Can one say:
1-He has to have finished his project yesterday, or else he will be fired.
2-He should have finished his project yesteday, or else he will be fired.
I suppose this can be said in other ways, but one would have to use two sentences.
He had to finish is project yesterday. If he did not, he will be fired.
Gratefully,
Navi.
Hi
If he didn't finish his project yesterday, he will be fired.
Please help to explain why the “if clause”( past tense) is followed by will not would.
How to say it correctly?
1) If the taxi didn’t arrive on time, I would drive you to the airport.
2) If the taxi didn’t arrive on time, I will drive you to the airport.
This sentence presents mixed condotionals - If-clause is the 2nd cond. while the main clause shows the 1st cond.
In books that we are using during my grammar class I rarely see mixed conditionals 1st and 2nd - usually there are mixed 2nd & 3rd. I guess the sentence that you wrote exists and it can be used by natives. Am I right?
You are not sure whether the event in the past happened or not.
You do know that if it did not happen, there will be a consequence in the future.
If he didn't study, he won't pass the test.
If he didn't complete the project, he will be fired.
Calm down, Mom. If the taxi didn't come, I will drive you myself.
EDIT:
Of course you can have a situation when if something DID happen, there is a known future conequence as well.
The test if very easy. If he studied even a tiny bit, he will pass.
If he left when he was planning to, he will be here any minute.
Last edited by Barb_D; 28-Jan-2012 at 22:23.
I'm not a teacher, but I write for a living. Please don't ask me about 2nd conditionals, but I'm a safe bet for what reads well in (American) English.