If I had had enough time, I

Table 2.11 The Brief Explanation of Negative Statements in Type Two of Conditional Sentences Negative Statements If Clause: Simple Past Result Clause: Would + Base Form of Verb If he did not love her, he were not in love, he would not get married. he would not get married. Table 2.12 The Brief Explanation of YesNo Questions in Type Two of Conditional Sentences YesNo Questions Result Clause If Clause Would I get married If I loved her I were in love? Look at the explanations below, possible variation of the basic form of type two of conditional sentences: a. Variation of the main clause 1 Might or could may be used instead of would: If you tried again, you would succeed certain result. If you tried again, you might succeed possible result. If I knew her number, I could ring her up ability. If he had a permit, he could get a job ability or permission. 2 The continuous conditional form may be used instead of the simple conditional form: Tom: Peter is on holiday; he is touring Italy. Ann: If I were on holiday, I wouldmight be touring Italy too. 3 If + past tense can be followed by another past tense when we wish to express automatic or habitual reactions in the past: If anyone interrupted him, he got angry. whenever anyone interrupted him. 4 When if is used to mean ‘as’ or ‘since’, a variety of tense is possible in the main clause. If + past tensehere has a past meaning. The sentence is not a true conditional. Tom: I knew she was short of money. Ann: If you knew she was short of money, you should have lent her some Why did not you lend her some? b. Variation of the if clause Instead of if + simple past we can have: 1 If + past continuous We are going by air and I hate flying. If we were going by boat, I would feel much happier. 2 If + past perfect If he had taken my advice, he would be a rich man now. this is a mixture of type two and three. 48 3 Even though the time reference in the if clause is the present or future, past verb forms are used in the if clause. Correct : If we had money, we would buy a car today. Incorrect : If we have money, we would buy a car today. Would can be used in the if clause only when the meaning is “be willing to”. If you would take the time to study If you were willing to take the time to study, you could be an excellent student. 4 The subjunctive were is used for all persons. If I were rich, I would quit my job immediately. If she were rich, she would quit her job immediately. If they were rich, they would quit their jobs immediately. 48 A.J. Thompson, A Practical English Grammar,.... p. 190.