Subjunctive when the consequence is also a hypothesis
I want to express that the consequence on the sentence is another hypotheses given the first is valid. How to do that in English? For instance:
If I were to go to Argentina, maybe it were better to stay in Buenos Aires.
In Portuguese, both phrases need to be in subjunctive mood.
Se fosse para eu ir à Argentina, talvez fosse melhor ficar em Buenos Aires.
Search from various English teachers...
Answers · 6
1
Alexandre,
If the trip to Argentina is presupposed as contrary to fact, or only hypothetical, then traditionally the subjunctive is used in the main clause.
-If I were to go to Argentina, maybe it would be better to stay in Buenos Aires.
(or since in English "maybe would" = "might")
-If I were to go to Argentina, it might be better to stay in Buenos Aires.
If the condition is not presupposed as contrary to fact, then the past simple is preferred.
-If I was to go to Argentina, maybe it would be better to stay in Buenos Aires.
-If I was to go to Argentina, it might be better to stay in Buenos Aires.
or
If I went to Argentina, it might be better to stay in Buenos Aires.
1
We would use the conditional as it's dependent on the first thing happening:
"If I were to go to Argentina, maybe it would be better if I stayed/to stay in Buenos Aires".
0
If I'm going to Argentina, it would be better to stay in Buenos Aires.
Since I'm going to Argentina, it would be better if I stayed in Beunos Aires.
If + present continuous = given the statement is valid.
You can use "if" like this for events that are given.
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