Can I use 'what if' like this?

[iZicci]

Shutter Island, a good film from a good novel.

What is reality?

Are we living in our dreams?

This film has made me think a lot about our real life.

What if someday we realized that all of our so-called "reality" was just not true, how could we face the world then?

I'd like to appreciate your replies.

Thanks!

 

[Abstract Idea]

Shutter Island, a good film from a good novel.

What is reality?

Are we living in our dreams?

This film has made me think a lot about our real life.

What if someday we realized that all of our so-called "reality" was just not true, how could we face the world then?

I'd like to appreciate your replies.

Thanks!

Yes, you can.

 

[Abstract Idea]

Shutter Island, a good film from a good novel.

What is reality?

Are we living in our dreams?

This film has made me think a lot about our real life.

What if someday we realized that all of our so-called "reality" was just not true, how could we face the world then?

I'd like to appreciate your replies.

Thanks!

:

But since you haven't realized yet:

What if someday we realize that all of our so-called "reality" was just not true, how could we face the world then?

Also, in the sentence above, I guess it is better to say "would" instead of "could".

PS Not a native speaker

 

[Abstract Idea]

Shutter Island, a good film from a good novel.

What is reality?

Are we living in our dreams?

This film has made me think a lot about our real life.

What if someday we realized that all of our so-called "reality" was just not true, how could we face the world then?

I'd like to appreciate your replies.

Thanks!

By the way I haven't seen the movie yet. Is it good?
And the book, have you already read it?

From your "what if" statement it reminds me of the "Matrix" trilogy, which I am about to watch again once more.

 

[iZicci]

By the way I haven't seen the movie yet. Is it good?
And the book, have you already read it?

From your "what if" statement it reminds me of the "Matrix" trilogy, which I am about to watch again once more.

Thanks for your replies!

Indeed, it's a good film and I've certainly watched it on the internet.

But I didn't read the novel.

"Matrix" is also one of my favourite films.

 

[Raymott]

:

But since you haven't realized yet:

What if someday we realize that all of our so-called "reality" was just not true, how could we face the world then?
I disagree. This is hypothetical and the subjunctive form 'realized' is appropriate.
"What if someday we lived on moon ... "
There is a subtle difference between the meanings, and sometimes either will do:
"What if I go to the shop?"
"What if I went to the shop?"

R.

 

[Abstract Idea]

:

But since you haven't realized yet:

What if someday we realize that all of our so-called "reality" was just not true, how could we face the world then?
I disagree. This is hypothetical and the subjunctive form 'realized' is appropriate.
"What if someday we lived on moon ... "
There is a subtle difference between the meanings, and sometimes either will do:
"What if I go to the shop?"
"What if I went to the shop?"

R.

Thanks Raymott. It is indeed good to know we always have attentive careful users at UsingEnglish like you. Of course your "opinion" prevails over mine here, since you are both a native speaker and such a linguistics expert. I apologize for my original mistake and thank you for the lesson.
I really wasn't aware that was a subjunctive.

However I still have some questions Raymott:

1) It is clear to me now that the use of the subjunctive "realized" is correct, but regarding the version with "realize", is it also correct here or is it definitely wrong?

2) When one uses, in the original sentence, "realized" instead of "realize", how can you tell that the first form is subjunctive while the second is not? For instance:
"What if he go to the shop?" and "What if he went to the shop?" - aren't both forms in the subjunctive irrespective that the first is simple present while the latter simple past?

3) In your examples above what is exactly the subtle difference? I still can't get all of it.

 

[Barb_D]

My problem wasn't "realize/realized" but the comma splice.

What if someday we realize that all of our so-called "reality" was just not true? How could we face the world then?

 

[Abstract Idea]

My problem wasn't "realize/realized" but the comma splice.

What if someday we realize that all of our so-called "reality" was just not true? How could we face the world then?

Thanks Barb_D. It is always good to have such attentive careful users like you at UsingEnglish. Nothing better than some writer's sharp eyes to spot such important details.

 

[iZicci]

My problem wasn't "realize/realized" but the comma splice.

What if someday we realize that all of our so-called "reality" was just not true? How could we face the world then?

It's great!

You've got the point of my question.

What I want to know is whether the 'what if' clause can be used like that above or not.

Now I think it's incorrect.

THANKS!

The 'what if' clause should be an indepent one!

 

[Raymott]

1) It is clear to me now that the use of the subjunctive "realized" is correct, but regarding the version with "realize", is it also correct here or is it definitely wrong?
It's not wrong. You can use 'realize'. What is wrong is saying that 'realized' in incorrect. As I say, sometimes you have a choice and, in some cases like this, either the indicative or subjunctive form are acceptable.

2) When one uses, in the original sentence, "realized" instead of "realize", how can you tell that the first form is subjunctive while the second is not? For instance:
"What if he goes to the shop?" and "What if he went to the shop?" - aren't both forms in the subjunctive irrespective that the first is simple present while the latter simple past?
"What if he go to the shop" is not a possible sentence, because the appropriate subjunctive form is "went" not "go".

"What if I were rich" NOT *"What if I be rich".
The two situations are both hypothetical, but only the second ("What if he went to the shop?") is in the subjunctive form.

3) In your examples above what is exactly the subtle difference? I still can't get all of it.
Good question. I don't have an easy answer. Probably using "What if I go ..." implies more willingness to go than "What if I went ..."

A: Ack! We're out of chocolate!
B: What if I go to the shop and buy some?
A: That would be great.

C: I want to watch channel X on TV.
D: I want to watch channel Y!
C: What if I went to the shop and bought you some chocolate?
D: Then I'd let you watch channel X.

The difference could be explained in other ways in other contexts. Maybe someone else has an idea.

R.

 

[iZicci]

I really didn't expect it would be so kind of you.

Thank you all for helping me!

I've learned more than what I want to know.

So happy!

 

[Abstract Idea]

I really didn't expect it would be so kind of you.

Thank you all for helping me!

I've learned more than what I want to know.

So happy!

You are more than welcome iZicci. Keep studying and asking interesting questions.
As a result of your original question I was able to learn a lot from the other members replies. And I am sure the same can be said about many other readers.

 

[Abstract Idea]

3) In your examples above what is exactly the subtle difference? I still can't get all of it.
Good question. I don't have an easy answer. Probably using "What if I go ..." implies more willingness to go than "What if I went ..."

A: Ack! We're out of chocolate!
B: What if I go to the shop and buy some?
A: That would be great.

C: I want to watch channel X on TV.
D: I want to watch channel Y!
C: What if I went to the shop and bought you some chocolate?
D: Then I'd let you watch channel X.

R.

Thanks for the answers Raymott. Particularly #3 above is perfectly clear for me now.