The Second Conditional

[Tdol]

One is a second conditional; what about the other?

[Will]

If I knew what a second conditional was, I'd be glad to give an opinion. But, alas, I don't; therefore, I'll look it up, and come back with an answer later.

[dduck]

I think the first example is a mixed conditional - I've been reading the glossary. And the other - using my gigantic powers of deduction - must be the second conditional.

Iain

[Will]

After exhausting the UsingEnglish.com glossary, I have come to the conclusion that the second one is the second codtional. I have also come to the very astute conclusion that, because I'm still not absolutely sure what a conditional is, I have no idea what the first one would be classified as.

[Tdol]

The first is a mixed conditional- part second, part third.

[Will]

Excuse me while my head explodes.

[Tdol]

New avatar?

It starts in the second, because if I said 'If I had been you', it would allow the possibility that I could be you, which is the real headblower.

[Will]

New avatar?

Yes. Dave Barry. My writing idol.

[Tdol]

What are you reading at the moment?

I'm reading 'The Ice' a history of Antarctica.

[Will]

I'm reading A Prayer For Owen Meany by John Irving. It's a book I have to read (summer assignment) for AP English. I've read four hunred pages of it (200 to go, thank god), and it's been really boring. I probably should've been done with it in June when it was assigned, but, oh well. I'm a big procrastinator.

BTW, Dave Barry is a journalist. He's written volumes (I think four or five) that contain the accumulation of his articles from past years. He's a satirical writer; much like my essay I Blame Bill Gates, only much better. I'm still honing my skills. :)