| 词组 | special structures with past tenses and would |
| 释义 | Contents overview special structures with past tenses and would239 special structures with past tenses and wouldIf I knew her name, I would tell you.What would you do if you lost your job?1unreal situationsWe use special structures with if when we are talking about unreal situations – things that will probably not happen, situations that are untrue or imaginary, and similar ideas. In these cases, we use past tenses and would to 'distance' our language from reality.2if + past; would + infinitiveTo talk about unreal or improbable situations now or in the future, we use a past tense in the if-clause (even though the meaning is present or future), and would + infinitive (without to) in the other part of the sentence.If I knew her name, I would tell you. (not If I know …) or If I would know … or … I will tell you.She would be perfectly happy if she had a car.What would you do if you lost your job?This structure can make suggestions sound less definite, and so more polite.It would be nice if you helped me a bit with the housework.Would it be all right if I came round about seven tomorrow?3would, should and 'dAfter I and we, should is sometimes used with the same meaning as would. This is now unusual in British English, and has almost disappeared from American English.If I knew her name, I should tell you. (rare)We use 'd as a contraction (337).We'd get up earlier if there was a good reason to.For I should … meaning 'I advise you to …', 240.2.For would in the if-clause, 245.For should in the if-clause, 244.1.4if I were, etcWe often use were instead of was after if. This is common in both formal and informal styles. In a formal style were is more common than was, and many people consider it more correct, especially in American English. The grammatical name for this use of were is 'subjunctive' (232).If I were rich, I would spend all my time travelling.If my nose were a little shorter, I'd be quite pretty.For the expression If I were you …, 240.5Ordinary tense-use or special tense-use? If I come or if I came?The difference between, for example, if I come and if I came is not necessarily a difference of time. They can both refer to the future; but the past tense suggests that a future situation is impossible, imaginary or less probable. Compare:–If I become President, I'll … (said by a candidate in an election)If I became President, I'd … (said by a schoolboy)–If I win this race, I'll … (said by the fastest runner)If I won this race, I'd … (said by the slowest runner)–Will it be all right if I bring a friend? (direct request)Would it be all right if I brought a friend? (less direct, more polite)6could and mightWe can use could to mean 'would be able to' and might to mean 'would perhaps' or 'would possibly'.If I had another £500, I could buy a car.If you asked me nicely, I might get you a drink.For other cases where a past tense has a present or future meaning, 46.For if only, 242.Previous Next |
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