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haruki30 · Joined: 26 Feb 2006 Posts: 2

Dear All,

If I were to transform the following sentence: I've got a headache, I won't go swimming using 2nd conditional, would it be correct to write: If hadn't got a headache, I would go swimming? or is it a must to write: If I didn't have a headache, I would go...

Thank you very much
Haruki

Meadowlark · Joined: 19 Feb 2006 Posts: 73

Hello Haruki,

In second conditional we use the past tense of the verb in the first clause:

If I hadn't got a headache, I would go swimming.

I hope this will help to answer your question.

Meadowlark

KazAV · Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2006 12:08 pm Post subject:

If I didn't have a headache, I would go swimming sounds better. The second conditional uses the simple past - here it is in the negative "didn't have".

If I hadn't got a headache, I would have gone swimming is conditional type three. Hadn't got is the negative past perfect and takes the conditional type three with would/could/should have.

Here's a useful link for learning English that might help you more:

http://www.learnenglish.de/grammar/conditionaltext.htm

Meadowlark · Joined: 19 Feb 2006 Posts: 73

Each of us has an opinion as to what sounds best. What is grammatically correct may or may not be what sounds best to any one person.

This is yet another example of the reason for a question determining the appropriateness of an answer. Test questions must have grammar book answers. Common use questions need "sounds better" answers. Smile

KazAV · Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2006 3:50 pm Post subject:

Bad choice of words of mine to say it sounds better when what I actually meant was it is more grammaticaly correct. It is correct that conditional two takes the past tense or the simple past tense to be more precise. I didn't have is the negative simple past tense so it would be conditional two, "If I didn't have a headache, I would go swimming".

I had or had not got is the past perfect is it not? So this would be conditional type three. Thus, "If I hadn't got a headache, I would have gone swimming" would be more grammatically correct.

I agree about the reason behind the question and that text book questions need text book answers. In these cases, it is necessary to disregard what "sounds better" of course. One must always look at the rules.

Sorry for any confusion. Have a great day all - me, I'm ill again as usual at holiday time here Sad