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Thread: Conditional sentences

  1. #1
    Vibhanu is offline Newbie
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    Default Conditional sentences

    "If you missed it, I'm not responsible for that."
    Can we write this as a conditional sentence?
    Last edited by Vibhanu; 28-Nov-2012 at 13:45. Reason: Forgot to put a comma

  2. #2
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    Default Re: Conditional sentences

    Quote Originally Posted by Vibhanu View Post
    "If you missed it, I'm not responsible for that."
    Can we write this as a conditional sentence?
    Welcome to the forums, Vibhanu. No, it's an unnatural sentence.

  3. #3
    MartinEnglish is offline Member
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    Default Re: Conditional sentences

    Yes, it's a mixed conditional.

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    Default Re: Conditional sentences

    Quote Originally Posted by MartinEnglish View Post
    Yes, it's a mixed conditional.
    I wouldn't call that a mixed conditional. I'd call it an unnatural sentence without a clear meaning.

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    5jj
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    Default Re: Conditional sentences

    Quote Originally Posted by bhaisahab View Post
    I'd call it an unnatural sentence without a clear meaning.
    I don't agree this time - in the right context.

    A: You didn't wake me in time, and I missed the bus.
    B:
    If you missed it, I'm not responsible for that.

    Here 'if' has a meaning similar to, 'If you missed it, and I accept that you did'.

    Here's a similar usage:

    A: I believed every word he said.
    B: Well, if you believed everything, you're a bigger fool than I thought you were
    .

    Like many sentences with an if- clause, it's difficult to slot this into the traditional five classes of conditionals, zero, first, second, third and mixed. But then I don't think the traditional five classes are helpful or accurate.
    bhaisahab, Vibhanu and anhnha like this.
    Context is important. Please provide enough for us to be able to deal effectively with your question.
    Your thread title should include all or part of the word/phrase being discussed.
    If you just want to know the meaning of a word, try OneLook Dictionary Search first.


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    Vibhanu is offline Newbie
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    Default Re: Conditional sentences

    Thank you all.It's really helpful.

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