Some Clarification

by abdou
(Algeria)

Hi Diana,
I saw this sentence
"What if you had to work today", I would like you to help me to understand why this sentence is made like this.

I think it should be like this
"What if you have to work today"

Many thanks

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Hi Abdou, In this case both sentences are correct but they mean or focus on slightly different things.

The first example,
"What if you had to work today?"

…is talking about a totally hypothetical instance. It's like saying to someone; imagine if you had to work today. That would horrible. There isn't a possibility of you working, but you are imagining a hypothetical situation.

Your example,
"What if you have to work today?"

…is talking about the same idea (possibly working) but it is focusing the possibility of you having to work that day (in the future). In this example you working is a possibility, where as in the first example it is just a hypothetical idea.

I hope that clears up the difference for you.

The first is hypothetical where as your example refers to a real possibility of working.

Have a great day!
Diana