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Poll: Which is correct?
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Which is correct?

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  #1  
Old 06-Oct-2006, 13:11
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Default Conditional

For a bonus, can you explain why?
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  #2  
Old 06-Oct-2006, 17:53
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Default Re: Conditional

It's the rule:
I f the verb of the main clause is in the past simple, the verb of the IF-clause is in the conditional
If the verb of the main clause is in the present simple, the verb of the If-clause is in the future
If the verb of the main clause is in the past perfect, the If-clause is in the perfect conditional
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  #3  
Old 07-Oct-2006, 08:27
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Default Re: Conditional

How about this:
If he would only eat better, he wouldn't have so many health problems.
or
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  #4  
Old 10-Oct-2006, 15:39
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Default Re: Conditional

This is ZERO' conditional, just like:
If you press the blue button, the machine goes faster. The same tense in the main and the If-clauses.
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  #5  
Old 11-Oct-2006, 03:30
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Default Re: Conditional

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tdol View Post
How about this:
If he would only eat better, he wouldn't have so many health problems.
or
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  #6  
Old 11-Oct-2006, 07:38
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Default Re: Conditional

Quote:
Originally Posted by riverkid View Post
But it doesn't work for me with the poll sentence.
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  #7  
Old 11-Oct-2006, 07:39
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Default Re: Conditional

Quote:
Originally Posted by Raguilli View Post
This is ZERO' conditional, just like:
If you press the blue button, the machine goes faster. The same tense in the main and the If-clauses.
I would not say that it is the same as a zero conditional.
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  #8  
Old 11-Oct-2006, 08:48
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Default Re: Conditional

You would is ok but I would isn't after if.
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  #9  
Old 12-Oct-2006, 00:28
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Default Re: Conditional

Hint: In Tdol's sentence, there are two very different uses of the word "would".
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  #10  
Old 12-Oct-2006, 04:12
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Default Re: Conditional

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tdol View Post
But it doesn't work for me with the poll sentence.
No, you're right, Tdol, it doesn't work for the poll sentence. But IMO, that isn't a grammatical issue; it's a semantic issue.
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