Thread: Is there any difference among the examples? (subjunctive mood)

1) If the North Sea froze in winter, you could walk from London to Oslo.
2) If the North Sea happened to freeze in winter, you could walk from London to Oslo.
3) If the North Sea should freeze in winter, you could walk from London to Oslo.
4) If the North Sea should happen to freeze in winter, you could walk from London to Oslo.

3) If the North Sea should freeze in winter, you could walk from London to Oslo.

Is it from a textbook?
I thought that only "Should the North Sea freeze in winter, you could walk from London to Oslo" is possible.

they all mean the same thing but they each have a different tone or feel to them that context would flesh out and make one choice preferable to another.

Originally Posted by oldboy

1) If the North Sea froze in winter, you could walk from London to Oslo

That's a matter of fact, a statement of an observation.

2) If the North Sea happened to freeze in winter, you could walk from London to Oslo.

This is much like saying "as unlikely as it is, but it's a fact that if..."

3) If the North Sea should freeze in winter, you could walk from London to Oslo.

This sounds more like "there's a distinct possibility it may happen, so if..."

4) If the North Sea should happen to freeze in winter, you could walk from London to Oslo.

I'd say this is like the one before but with greater uncertainty whether it may really happen.

I've realized something, but I think it's necessary more context to feel that difference. Thanks, bitpicker, sperk.

P.S.: gRomoZeka, yes, it's from Advanced grammar in use by Martin Hewings (second edition).

P.S.: gRomoZeka, yes, it's from Advanced grammar in use by Martin Hewings (second edition).

Спасибо, oldboy. Теперь ясно. У меня-то до Advanced Grammar руки так и не дошли.