We have been traveling a lot recently. For some reason, that seems to make us accutely aware of the widespread and interesting usage of the conditional tense. This sparked an idea for a new blog post, so here goes …
conditional: Grammar. (of a sentence, clause, mood, or word) involving or expressing a condition, as the first clause in the sentence If it rains, he won’t go.
We like this explanation from LEO Network:
The conditional tense says that an action is reliant on something else. The two most common conditionals are real and unreal, they are sometimes called if-clauses.
The real conditional (often named 1st Conditional or Conditional Type I) describes situations based on fact.
The unreal conditional (often named 2nd Conditional or Conditional Type II) describes unreal or imaginary situations.
There is also what we call the 3rd conditional (often named Conditional Type III), used to express no possibility of something having happened in the past, and the 0 conditional (often called the zero conditional), used to express absolute certainty.
Unless you are studying English to pass an exam or test don’t try to remember the types, just learn the structure so that you know how to express the meaning conveyed by each type.
Note! If the ‘if’ clause comes first, a comma is usually used. If the “if” clause comes second, there is no need for a comma.”
We mentioned “interesting usage.” Take a look at the following examples and have a chuckle:
| In a restaurant, have you ever heard your server say something like this? | |
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If you need anything, my name is …That’s great. However, what is your name if I don’t need anything? |
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If you’re ready to order, I’ll be over there …So, if I’m not ready to order, where will you be? |
| When conversing with friends or colleagues … | |
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If I don’t see you, have a good trip/holiday/weekend …Alright, if you do see me, do you want me to have a bad time? |
| On an airplane … | |
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If you are unfamiliar with the (insert almost any airport name here) airport, there is a diagram in the in-flight magazine …This one is puzzling … we are very familiar with the mentioned airport. Is there still a diagram in the magazine? |
Now, IF you have other examples to share, please feel free to comment!
Sources: Dictionary.com, Learn English, American Airlines Flight Attendant announcements.
Using a noun as a verb :
Example: The train will platform at the next stop.
OR
Using a verb as a noun:
Example: Please send me an invite.
Thanks for your comments. Be sure to check out our series on “Nouns gone bad …”
We must admit, we are guilty of using your reverse (verb as noun): using invite as a noun
. Must be a Texas thing.
(smile) Its not just a Texas thing… people in US do it all the time. I doubt they do it in the UK though where my early education was inspired.
I thought your examples were very amusing. I’ve often felt the same way about those expressions, but when it comes to speech (as opposed to writing), I see no problem with them. They’re common expressions that everyone seems to understand. They simply omit a phrase or clause that joins the “if” clause logically with the “then” clause — “If you need anything [holler for me], my name is… ”
BTW, there’s an itsy bitsy typo in your first graf (accutely).
Laura
http://terriblywrite.wordpress.com
Social retards?