5Likes -
1 Post By Odessa Dawn -
2 Post By 5jj -
2 Post By BobK
-
"... if I had Oxford University on my CV I might improve..."
"Second conditional (used to talk about unlikely, imaginary or untrue events or situations)If + past – would + infinitive"
More: Conditional Sentences - English Grammar & Usage
Then we have:
"Then someone suggested that if I had Oxford University on my CV I might improve my chances in law. So I applied to do a Masters at Oxford."
More:
Postgraduate Lives
Does this mean that might can be used in informal English instead of would?
-
Re: "... if I had Oxford University on my CV I might improve..."

Originally Posted by
Odessa Dawn
Does this mean that might can be used in informal English instead of would?
There is nothing informal about it. 'Would' is used for hypothetical certainty, 'might' for hypotheical possibility.
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.
-
Re: "... if I had Oxford University on my CV I might improve..."
The writer is studying for a masters, having already a first-class degree BA from Durham (another very good university). Her writing (and her thinking) are very careful. What she means is that people suggested 'If you have Oxford on your CV it will increase your chances....'. (If there are 'chances', there must be 'a chance that not...', so there is no need to say it might happen.)
This degree of distancing from certainty about a possible outcome is conventional among lawyers - her chosen field.
b
Similar Threads
-
By hendykris in forum CVs, Resumes and Applications
Replies: 1
Last Post: 03-Dec-2012, 12:54
-
By hendykris in forum Ask a Teacher
Replies: 0
Last Post: 26-Nov-2012, 11:03
-
By Mannkavi in forum Ask a Teacher
Replies: 19
Last Post: 18-Jan-2012, 11:53
-
By kattie in forum Ask a Teacher
Replies: 3
Last Post: 04-Mar-2009, 22:36
-
By angliholic in forum Ask a Teacher
Replies: 4
Last Post: 12-Dec-2007, 01:50
Posting Permissions
- You may not post new threads
- You may not post replies
- You may not post attachments
- You may not edit your posts
-
Forum Rules

Search Engine Optimization by
vBSEO 3.6.1