Why we used the simple past here: It'd be against the law if we didn't?
K: That's fine. Do I get over-time for any extra hours that I work?
P: Of course. It'd be against the law if we didn't.
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In this conversation, why we used the simple past "we didn't"?
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Answers · 2
1
2nd conditional.
If + past simple, would.
0
The first answer is generally correct, it is the second conditional form.
The reason why it was used here:
The first conditional "If I don't get up early, I will miss the bus." is used when the "if" statement is either in the future or a general rule. ("If you jump into the river, you will get wet.")
In your example, the second conditional is used because it describes a decision (getting over-time) that has already been made and it is already a fact.
You would use the first conditional here if either no extra hours were made until now or if it is uncertain if you get over-time.
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