333. Conditional sentence. A sentence containing an ifclause (or an equivalent) is called a conditional sentence. Conditional sentences refer to the present, past, or future; they are neutral (capable of fulfillment) or contrary to fact (incapable of fulfillment).

NOTE. Sections 334-340 are intended chiefly for reference. They are too difficult to be assigned in a single lesson.

334. Present neutral condition. A present neutral condition takes the present indicative in both clauses; in the condition the present subjunctive is sometimes used:

If this is (or be) so, he deserves praise.

335. Present condition contrary to fact. A present condition contrary to fact takes a past subjunctive in the condition, and the past subjunctive could, might, should, or would in the conclusion:

1. If she were here (but she isn't), we should be happy. 2. If he had money (now), he would throw it away.

336. Past neutral condition. A past neutral condition takes the past or the present perfect indicative in either or both clauses; in the condition the past perfect is sometimes used:

1. If he was there, I did not know it.

2. If he saw them, he has told them everything.

3. If he had been happy before, he was doubly so now.

337. Past condition contrary to fact. A past condition contrary to fact takes the past perfect subjunctive in both clauses, the conclusion usually having could, might, should, or would:

1. If he had sent them word (but he hadn't), they would have

come.

2. If she could have seen us, we might have waited.

338. More vivid future condition. A future condition that is thought of as more likely to be fulfilled is called a more vivid future condition. A more vivid future condition takes the present indicative or present subjunctive in the condition, and a future indicative, or a verb expressing futurity, in the conclusion; in formal language expressing simple futurity the subjunctive shall is used in the condition in all three persons: 1. If he goes (or go) now, he will succeed.

2. If I (you, he) shall promise this, what can they do?

339. Less vivid future condition. A future condition that is thought of as less likely to be fulfilled is called a less vivid future condition. A less vivid future condition takes the past subjunctive in both clauses; in formal language expressing simple futurity the subjunctive should is used in the condition in all three persons:

1. If he went (or were to go) today, I could go with him. 2. If I (you, he) should go today, they might go too.

340. Mixed form of conditional sentence. In conditional sentences, when the thought requires it, the condition and the conclusion may be of different kinds. The condition may be contrary to fact in past time, and the conclusion contrary to fact in present time; or the condition may be more vivid future, and the conclusion less vivid; and so on:

1. If we had not missed the boat, we should be at home.

2. If your brother comes soon, I should like to see him.

3. If Mary is here, she drove in great haste.

341. Condition expressed by subjunctive. The condition is sometimes introduced by the subjunctive, without if:

1. Had I time, I would see him. (= If I had time, etc.) 2. Had he wanted to stay, he could have done so.

3. Were he invited soon, would he go?

4. She will be sixteen, come Sunday. (= if Sunday comes.)

342. Conditional relative sentence. A compound relative pronoun or adjective (§§ 98, 100), or a subordinating conjunction such as when, whenever, wherever, however (§§ 302, 303), may take the place of if in any conditional sentence (§ 333); the sentence is then called a conditional relative sentence. In structure the conditional sentence and the conditional relative sentence are the same. We use one kind or the other according as we wish to emphasize the idea of condition, or that of time, place, or the like:

1. If he went to school, he was always late. (§ 336.)

When he went to school, he was always late.

2. If anybody had come, he would have been welcome. (§ 337.) Whoever might have come would have been welcome.

3. If we go anywhere, let us stick together. (§ 338.)

Wherever we go, let us stick together.

4. If a person had means, he could do this. (§339.) A person who had means could do this.

343. Condition expressed variously. The condition may

be expressed in other ways:

1. He would succeed here. (= if he came here.)

2. To tell the story would take hours. (= If I told, etc.)

3. By doing so we might cross. (= If we did so, etc.)

4. You drive, and I will walk. (= If you drive, I will walk.)

344. Conditional sentence quoted. Conditional sentences in indirect quotation follow the rules already given (§§ 176, 177, 195):

1. If you go back, I shall go back.

He said that if you went back, he should go back.

2. If you could wait, I would wait.

He said that if I could wait, he would wait.

3. If he has arrived, he has done well.

You said that if he had arrived, he had done well.

4. If he was there, he was invited.

I presume that if he was there, he was invited.

345. Mood in subordinate clause. In the subordinate clause the verb may be indicative or subjunctive (§§ 160-163). The indicative is used to denote that the action or state expressed by the verb is a fact, or is thought of as a fact; the subjunctive is used to denote that the action or state is not thought of as a fact, but as something possible, expected, or desired (wish or volition):

1. He stays because he likes the climate. (Indicative.)

He stays because he would not like traveling. (Subjunctive.) 2. It is said that he is here. (Indicative.)

It is necessary that he be here. (Subjunctive.)

3. It was so warm that ice melted. (Indicative.)

It was so warm that ice would have melted. (Subjunctive.) 4. We shall not go if it is raining. (Indicative.)

We should not go if it rained. (Subjunctive.)

We should not have gone if it had rained. (Subjunctive.) 5. They were glad that he asked for it. (Indicative.)

They were pleased that he should wish it. (Subjunctive.) 6. We waited until the dawn came. (Indicative.)

We were waiting until the dawn should come. (Subjunctive of expectation.)

7. He was sorry that he stayed at home. (Indicative.)

He wished that he had stayed at home. (Subjunctive of wish.)

8. They command that the gates shall be closed. (Subjunctive of volition.)

9. Suppose this is (now), was (yesterday), true. (Indicative.) Suppose this were (now), had been (yesterday), true. (Subjunctive, contrary to fact, §§ 335, 337.)

10. She may come here today. (Indicative.)

She is coming that she may see you. (Subjunctive of purpose; § 303.)

NOTE. Verbs like take care, mind, and see are now usually followed by the indicative with the meaning of the subjunctive: See that he does it.

346. As if. As if (or as though, with some notion of opposition; see § 347, 15) takes the subjunctive (§§ 335, 337, 339) or the infinitive:

1. You laugh as if (or as though) you enjoyed it. (§ 347, 15.) 2. They ran as if they had seen a ghost.

3. He sat down and opened a book as if to read.

347. Ellipsis. When the meaning is made clear by the context, a portion of a sentence is often omitted. Such an omission is called an ellipsis, and the sentence is said to be elliptical. In analysis the ellipsis should be supplied; the ability to supply it indicates a more thorough knowledge of the meaning of the sentence (§ 3):

1. [I] Thank you, sir; I am alone, but [I am] not unhappy. 2. What [shall we do] if our kites blow away

?

3. What [do you say]? [You say that] You have no hat?

4. [It is] Impossible. Who are you? [You are] Mr. Brown? 5. While [we were] waiting, we unpacked the baskets and set

the table.

6. O [I long] for a day in the woods!

7. He thought [that] you had gone across the lake.

8. [I bid you] Good morning, sir.

9. Why [are you] afraid? You are safe here.

10. [Do I] Remember that ride? I shall never forget it.

11. If [we were] tired, we took a drive.

12. I can hear quite as well where I am [as I could hear if I

went elsewhere].

13. Although [he was] out of work, he was too proud to ask. 14. I am neither glad nor [am I] sorry.

15. He acts as [he would act] if he were ill.

He acts as though he were ill

were he ill, though [he is not]. § 346.

=

He acts as [he would act]

16. Be so good as [you would be good] to come. 17. He likes her better than [he likes] me.

18. He likes her better than I [like her].