Be careful in the use of your pronouns in this way, for you can express quite a different meaning. For example, if you say, I care more for you than he, you mean, I care more for you than he cares for you. But if you say, I care more for you than him, you mean, I care more for you than I care for him. A mistake like this might mean a great deal to you some time, if the one to whom you had been speaking had been studying a course in Plain English!
356. Adverb clauses of condition. These clauses are introduced by such conjunctions as, if, provided, supposing, unless, except, otherwise, though, notwithstanding, albeit, and whether. For example:
- I will come if you need me.
- I will come provided you need me.
- I will go notwithstanding you need me.
- I will not go unless I am called.
- He will not go except he is called.
- He will not go though he is called.
- He came, otherwise I would go.
- He will go whether you go or stay.
When subordinate clauses beginning with if, though or unless are joined to clauses containing might, could, would or should, the verb were is sometimes used with a singular subject, in such sentences as:
- If this were true, I should know it.
- Unless I were positive, I would not say so.
- Though our leader were lost, yet we would not despair.
- If he were here, he would explain it himself.
- If I were with you, I might make you understand.
Sometimes in sentences like these, if is omitted in the clause, and the verb placed first. For example:
- Were he here, he would deny these slanders.
- Were he truly class-conscious, he would oppose this war.
- Were this fact known, the people would never submit.
These clauses express something which is uncertain, or which is to be decided in the future; a supposition contrary to a fact or a wish. Occasionally you will find the verb be used instead of is, in clauses of this kind introduced by if, though, unless, except, lest, etc. For example:
- If it be true, I will hear it.
- Though he be guilty, we will not desert him.
In subordinate clauses connected by if, unless, etc., with a principal clause which expresses future time, the present form of the verb is used in the subordinate clause. For example: