Really Mixed Conditionals

[Tdol]

Any comments?

[RonBee]

For number two I would say, "If he was such a good doctor he would have diagnosed the illness." (presumably, he didn't diagnose the illness.)

[laureljohnescu]

For number two I would say, "If he was such a good doctor he would have diagnosed the illness." (presumably, he didn't diagnose the illness.)

This doesn't make sense because it makes it sound like he is not a doctor anymore, which is not stated.

[dduck]

The second example makes no sense to me.

I'd think it should be:

"If he were such a good doctor, he would have diagnosed the illness"

Iain

[çakırpençe]

For number two I would say, "If he was such a good doctor he would have diagnosed the illness." (presumably, he didn't diagnose the illness.)

The second example makes no sense to me.

I'd think it should be:

"If he were such a good doctor, he would have diagnosed the illness"

Iain

Then, is it "If he was or were a good doctor"?
Which one is more proper?
(((and proper or appropriate :)))) ???

[Tdol]

In formal language 'were' is preferred. In less formal langauge either can be used.

[diana monzon]

The second example makes no sense to me.

I'd think it should be:

"If he were such a good doctor, he would have diagnosed the illness"

Iain

Yeah! I agree with what you say=) is he is such a good doctor he would diagnose the illness' it sounds like future and we are saying what he didin't

[Anonymous]

It is a very strange conditional and it only seems to work with 'should'.

[Tdol]

That's me again- I seem to be getting timed out or something tonight. ;-(

[aijex ijaz]

Well, I would say that there are contexts where the two options can make sense. However, considered alone, in themselves, they may pose a bit of a dificulty for someone trying to make sense out of them.