[Grammar] might using second conditional

[NAL123]

Consider this sentence of mine, please:

1) You might say that work is coming back into fashion.

Can I convert 1) into a second conditional sentence? For example:

1a) (If you wanted to say), you might say that work is coming back into fashion. Or

1b) (If you were to say), you might say that work is coming back into fashion.

I know could is possible in 1a) and 1b). But, here I'm talking about might only.

Can I use would possibly in place of might in 1a) and 1b), too?

 

[Tdol]

How about If you wanted, you might say that work is coming back into fashion?

 

[jutfrank]

No to everything. Leave the sentence as it is.

Think of You might say as a fixed phrase with a very specific use. Don't try to mess with it, or force it into a conditional sentence.

See the dictionary entry here: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/you might say

 

[NAL123]

No to everything. Leave the sentence as it is.

Think of You might say as a fixed phrase with a very specific use. Don't try to mess with it, or force it into a conditional sentence.

See the dictionary entry here: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/you might say

So how do native speakers understand the phrase you might say in sentence (1)? a) a phrase with a conditional meaning. Or b) a fixed phrase with no conditional meaning whatsoever.

 

[GoesStation]

So how do native speakers understand the phrase you might say in sentence (1)? a) a phrase with a conditional meaning. Or b) a fixed phrase with no conditional meaning whatsoever.

Without more context, it's a fixed phrase with no hint of conditional meaning.

 

[Phaedrus]

So how do native speakers understand the phrase you might say in sentence (1)?

One could say . . .

 

[jutfrank]

There's no conditional meaning involved here.

The opening phrase You might say means something like 'This is one way of looking at, or thinking about things'.