Theoretical and Hypothetical Meaning

indicative – expresses fact

subjunctive – expresses supposition

1. Yes, present and past

2. present looks the same as present indic. except in 3rd person – no –s; be

   past looks the same as past indic. except be – 1st and 3rd singular – were (was also works)

3. present – theoretical meaning

   past – hypothetical meaning

truth-committed – factual, is true

truth-neutral – theoretical, question of truth or falsehood is open

putative should:

should + infinitive in that-clauses, usable where the subjunctive is used

mandative subjunctive:

subjunctive in that-clauses; expresses element of wish, intention, or command

statement expressed by the main clause is qualified by a condition expressed in an if-clause (if, unless, whether, lest) *ALSO BY INVERSION!!!

real, unreal conditions

• use of past tense in conditional clause and a secondary modal + infinitive in mainclause

• hypothetical meaning

• if, unless, whether, lest, inversion clauses

• both clauses are truth-neutral (theoretical)

• any combination of tenses possible except for those that indicate unreal conditions

1. would (or other secondary modal) + infinitive

   1. in main clauses

   2. in reported speech clauses which would be main clauses if converted into direct speech

   3. not in any clause containing another modal as modals cannot combine with one another

2. Past tense

   1. in other dependent clauses

3. was/were to + infinitive

   1. in conditional clauses and suppose/imagine, and only with reference to future time

1. hypothetical permission: could, might —> shows politeness

2. hypothetical volition: would —> shows politeness

3. hyothetical possibility: could, might

4. pure hypothesis: would + cognitive state evrb

1. past: secondary modal + prerfect infinitive, past eprfect -> contrary to fact

2. üresent: secondary modal + infinitive. non-perfect past tense -> contrary to assumption

3. future: secondary modal + infinitive + non-perfect past tense, past tense, was/were to + infinitive -> contrary to expectation

adverbial clauses/hidden conditionals:

• even if

• ont he condition that

• unless

• in calse

• whether of not

• what if

• not… unless

finite verb clause OR -ing clause OR noun phrase withan abstract noun

1. I believe you.

2. I know he likes reading books.

3. I love you curiosity.

• zero-conditional

• positive truth committed

• if clause and main clause include verb in simple present

e.g. If I see a puppy, I want to pet it.

it is a fact. The result is the same every time the condition is met.

• real (theoretical) future happenings

• real possibility in the future

• truth neutral if-clause

e.g.

If I sit in the sun, I will burn.

• past tense in dependent clauses

• secondary+infinitive in main clauses

e.g.

If I knew the answer, I would tell you (Present or future time reference)

If I had known the answer, I would have told you. (past time reference)

• negative truth committed

• call for a past time verb in the if- clause and a main clause with a secondary modal

e.g.

If I had more time, I would learn another language.

—> contrary to the real wordl

—> condition will not ever be met

1. Hypothetical permission - could, might -> politeness

2. Hypothetical volition - would —> politeness

3. Hypothetical possibility - could might

4. pure hypothesis - would + cognitive state verb

• with clauses that usually begin with “that” and express a command/demand, intention, requirement, request, recommendation, suggestion, wish

e.g.

I suggest that she leave the room immediatels!

NO “DO”

• involve a combination of verb phrases relating to the scond an third conditional patterns

• can include other mixes

if+simple past, secondary modal + perfect infinitive

e.g. If I liked you, I would have given you notes.

If + past perferct, secondary modal + infinitive.

If I had a break, I wouldn’t feel so tired

• in situations in which it is unclear whether something is true or false

e.g.

I want us all to be friends.

There is no indication of whether or not we will be friends

… a tentative condition in if-clauses.

• in dependent clauses “should” represents neutral ideas rather than facts.

• can also occur in that-clauses

e.g.

If you should find my grammar notes, please give them back.

• unreal (hypothetical) present or future

  • imaginary presen/unlikely future

  • negative truth-committed if-clause

  • Meaning: contrary to expectation/asumption

If + simple past, secondary modal + infinitive

e.g.

If I had time, I would learn a second langugage.

If you spoke Gaelic, you could chat with my grandmother

• mood which indicates wishes, and tentative or hypothetical states of affairs

• verbs apper to be the same as present indicative

• third person dies not take an s

• ver “be” remains the same

e.g.

It is imperative that he be there on time!

• verb phrases apper to follow the same format as past indicative

• exept the “be” in the first and third person singulat of “be(were)”

e.g.

Were I to win the lottery, I might retire.

• trut neutral

• any verb phrease (except particular ones of factual and hypothetical patterns) can occur in this pattern

e.g.

If there is a party, I am going to it.

This is a real possibility if the condition is met.

• refers to an unreal (hypothetical) past

• imaginary past

• negative truth committed if-clause

• contrary to fact

if+past perfect, secondary modal + perfect time

e.g.

If I had run faster, I would have caught the train.

• indicates universal truths/facts/generalisations

• factual

• positive truth comitted if-clause.

Formula:

if + simple present , simple present.

e.g.

If you heat water to 100°C at sea level, it boils.