ABSTRACT
If there are thus many divergences, there are also certain general tendencies common to languages of our family. The indicative is generally used in relative clauses and clauses introduced by local and temporal conjunctions (where, when, while), unless (in some languages) an intention is implied or the clauses express the thought of some other person than the speaker or writer. With regard to condition, the subjunctive is most often required if impossibility is implied (in "clauses of rejected or, better, of rejecting condition," or "contrary-to-fact-condition "), though even there English tends to get rid of the subjunctive; greater hesitation is found when the possibility is admitted, but the speaker" wants to guard himself from endorsing the truth or realization of the statement" (NED); and finally the indicative is required when the two ideas are not really meant as conditioning and conditioned, but as equally true: "if he was rich, he was openhanded too," i.e. he was both, though these two things do not always go together; the meaning of the conditional form may btl said to be: if you admit that he was rich, you must admit also that he was open-handed; cpo "she is fifty if she is a day." 1 Similar considerations hold good with regard to concession (though he were, was, be, is).
