Friends,i have heard type 3 conditional sentences like 'Had the driver been alert,the accident would not have happened'. Likewise can we start the type 2 and type 1 sentences like 'was the driver aler

cmnk

Friends,i have heard type 3 conditional sentences like 'Had the driver been alert,the accident would not have happened'. Likewise can we start the type 2 and type 1 sentences like 'was the driver alert... and 'is the driver alert...? Thanks in advance. No,it was not for learning malayalam,it was for learning english.sorry

Aug 8, 2013 11:13 AM

Answers · 3

You're asking about inversion to create an "if" clause. It only works for type 1 and 2 conditionals if you use "be" for type 1 and "were" for type 2. That is, subjunctive forms of "to be". It simply won't work with other verbs. Example type 1: "Be he alive or be he dead, I'll grind his bones to make my bread." Example type 2" "Were I rich, I would build a new house for my family."

August 8, 2013

Still haven’t found your answers?

Write down your questions and let the native speakers help you!