[Grammar] If I were free tomorrow

[lagoo]

Are the following subjunctive mood sentences correct?

1. If I were free tomorrow, I would come to see you.
2. If I should be free tomorrow, I would come to see you.

 

[Matthew Wai]

http://www.grammaring.com/past-subjunctive
The past subjunctive of 'be' is 'were', not 'should be'.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Tru, but 'should be' is an acceptable alternative to subjunctive 'were' in BrE.

I'd use the first.

"If I were free tomorrow I would come to see you" means you're not coming. You would if you could, but you can't, so you won't.

The second is okay, too, but would be more clear this way: "If I should be free tomorrow, I will come to see you." This means you don't know whether you'll be free, but if you are, you'll come.

To keep the would there and still be clear, you might say something like:

- "If I should be free tomorrow, I would love to come to see you."
- "If I should be free tomorrow, I would like to come to see you."

Those both state a preference rather than a plan.

 

[GoesStation]

I think very few Americans would use should be in the sample sentences. We do often use the construction when we want to add a nuance that's not possible with the subjunctive: If I should happen to be free ….

 

[Matthew Wai]

"If I were free tomorrow I would come to see you"

[..]

"If I should be free tomorrow, I will come to see you."

The first is the 2nd conditional, while the second is the 1st conditional, so 'should be' is not the past subjunctive. Do I understand correctly?

 

[lagoo]

It would be more clear this way: "If I should be free tomorrow, I will come to see you." This means you don't know whether you'll be free, but if you are, you'll come.
.

That's it! The original sentence in my grammar book is exactly the same as yours. Unfortunately, the author doesn't explain anything, only giving some examples.
Thank you again for your elaborate explanation.

 

[Matthew Wai]

Are the following subjunctive mood sentences correct?

Your grammar book says 「祈使语气」, which means the imperative mood rather than the subjunctive mood. I see no imperative mood in your sentences.

 

[lagoo]

Your grammar book says 「祈使语气」, which means the imperative mood rather than the subjunctive mood. I see no imperative mood in your sentences.

I thought the author was wrong, so I made up my own sentences in my question which might have made you confused.

 

[Matthew Wai]

I think the author was not wrong. The imperative mood refers to the main clause of the following sentence, which is shown in your photo:
'If the toys should arrive in a damaged condition, please inform us ...'

 

[lagoo]

The second is okay, too, but would be more clear this way: "If I should be free tomorrow, I will come to see you." This means you don't know whether you'll be free, but if you are, you'll come.

I think there are some others questions relating to your explanation.

1. If he were to resign, who would take his place? (Does it mean I don't know if he will resign rather than he's unlikely to resign?)
2. If I were to do the job, I would do it in a different way. (Does it mean I don't know if I will be given the job rather than it's impossible for me to do the job, and it's just my imagination?)
3. If you should have any difficulty in getting the medicine, (you could) ring this number. (Does it mean I don't know whether you have any difficulty rather than you are unlikely to have any difficulty?)

 

[lagoo]

I think the author was not wrong.

The author is right. I mean at first I thought he was wrong.

 

[Matthew Wai]

1. If he were to resign, who would take his place? (Does it mean I don't know if he will resign rather than he's unlikely to resign?)
2. If I were to do the job, I would do it in a different way. (Does it mean I don't know if I will be given the job rather than it's impossible for me to do the job, and it's just my imagination?)

'Were to' is used in the present to place emphasis on the improbability of the condition. It shows that something is highly unlikely or unthinkable. This form is used in the 'if-clause'.

Source: https://www.ecenglish.com/learnenglish/lessons/how-use-were

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnVrjFSE1hA