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Content tagged with "BE TO"

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Conditionals and inversion

conditionals
inversion
BE TO
IF
SHOULD
WILL
WOULD

In formal English, the subject and the auxiliary can be inverted in the if-clause with if omitted:

Less likely conditions

conditionals
unlikelihood
unreal situations
BE TO
SHOULD

First conditional

In the first conditional, happen to and should can be used in the if-clause to express that something is possible but not very likely:

If you happen to see Kate, say hi from me.
If you should see Kate, say hi from me.

Modals in the second conditional

ability
conditionals
modals
permission
possibility
request
BE TO
COULD
MIGHT
WOULD

Main clause

We can use modals other than would in the main clause of a sentence in the second conditional:

Modals in the third conditional

ability
conditionals
modals
possibility
BE TO
COULD
MIGHT

Main clause

We can use modals other than would in the main clause of a sentence in the third conditional:

If I had had the right tools, I could have fixed my bike. (ability)
If the weather had been worse, they might not have reached the top. (possibility)

Modals to express permission / prohibition: CAN, COULD, MAY, MIGHT, BE ALLOWED TO, MUSTN'T, BE TO

modals
permission
prohibition
BE ALLOWED TO
BE TO
CAN
CAN'T
COULD
MAY
MIGHT
MUSTN'T

Present and future

Can and may are used to give permission. May is more formal and less common in everyday contexts:

You can borrow my car if you want.
Children may use the pool with adult supervision.