Difference between the sentences with usage of 'would'

[Nene4english]

Hi All,

Are both the below sentences correct?

If we were to do it, we would have to do it manually.

If we wanted to do it, we would have to do it manually.

I feel they are correct and I think the main difference is that the first case is improbable i.e I know, while talking, that we will not do 'it' and there are no chances of doing it. While in the second case, we may have to do 'it' in future. Is my understanding correct?

Rgds,
Nene.

[Jamie (K)]

You understood the difference correctly. In the first sentence, it is improbable that the people will do "it", but not impossible. In the second sentence it is a bit more probable.

[Kitosdad]

If we were to do it, ..............................would have to do it manually.

" If we ( really ) were to do it, we'd have to do it manually.

If we wanted to do it,.......................... we would have to do it manually.

If we ( really ) want to do it, we'll have to do it manually.

Just my opinion, but eh, we are all learning here, right ?.
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[Nene4english]

Hi Jamie,

Thanks a lot for the answer. I am bit confused here when you say that the first one is not 'impossible'. I have been thinking that using 'were' in a sentence means we are making it impossible like "If I were you, I would do it". In this case it is impossible that ME becoming YOU. Having said that, I did hear native speakers using 'were' in improbable but possible scenarios. Completely confused....

And from the second sentence, I think it is more of an imaginary situation which is very well possible.

So conclusion is that using of 'were' doesn't make a sentence 'impossible', it could be possible in future, if not now. Am I right here?

Rgds,
Nene.

[Kitosdad]

"If I were you, I would do it".

Is regarded as saying, " If you were to ask my opinion, then I'd say do it. "
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[Nene4english]

Hi Kitosdad,

I think you got it wrong. The sentence actually means that "If I am you(perhaps, we can use "in your place"), I will do it".

I may be wrong but lets see others opinion.

Rgds,
Nene.

[HamburgEnglish]

WHAT????? Man O Man !!!

The difference is given solely by the words 'were' and 'wanted'

WERE means if this situation occured. Were does not imply 'want' by the person/s contemplating the act, in fact they may NOT want to do it!
WANTED means if this situation occured. However in this case it also implys the person/s contemplating the action actually might/could/would like/want to do it.

The conditional is number 2. (unreal or analysis) this conditional for those interested, is an analysis of an existing/present situation, contemplating what would occur if that existing situation were to be changed.

Here are two examples ...

We HATE driving on the motorway and if possible, really don't want to!!
if we were to take the motorway, we would get there quicker.

We LOVE driving on the motorway and if possible, want to do so!!
if we wanted to take the motorway, we would get there quicker.

Naturally you can use either of the two above sentences for each of the situations, however "everything is in the eye of the beholder" do you want a general "were" statement or do you also want to indicate the strength of "want" in the statement.

Rob
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[Kitosdad]

Kitosdad, having lit the blue touch-paper, retires to a safe distance.

Kitosdad.
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[Nene4english]

Hi Rob,

Thanks a lot for the explanation. I am bit confused with the HATe and LOVE examples but still trying to get them. However, could you please let me know what does the below sentence mean and how is this related to both my sentences are your examples.

If we took the motorway, we would get there quicker.

Rgds,
Nene.

[Jamie (K)]