Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[Morden]

Hi!

I've just a found a phrase that I can not understand.

here is a part from the lyrics of Jesus Christ Superstar

Why should you want to know
Why are you obsessed with fighting
Times and fates you can't defy?
If you knew the path we're riding
You'd understand it less than I

If you knew all that I knew
My poor Jerusalem
You'd see the truth

(Judas) If you knew why I do it . . .

(Jesus) I don't care why you do it!

where is the conditional sentence?
Jesus interrupted Judas so he can not continue with "You would"?


When you say "If you know" without would, then you mean something like this : If you know me, please tell me what is my favourite song?

and if you put a conditional sentence after the first sentence it is the same when you simply say: If you would know what is all abouit.

so

If you know what is all about
You would take your money back from him

If you would know what is all about
You would take you money back from him

is the same in meaning?

Why did they use past participle"knew" instead of present from "know"?

Can you correct my sentences?They're unnatural:(

best
Zsolt[/b]

[pugachevV]

You use If you knew because it is the subjunctive mood.
You use the subjunctive to express a condition which is hypothetical, improbable or impossible.
So: If you knew the path the path we're riding, you'd understand it less than I
(You don't know and you are not me.)