1. Those which express a condition as an actual fact, and one admitted as such by the speaker.
2. Those which express a condition as a possible fact, and one which the speaker either does not admit, or admits only in a qualified manner.
Since the children are so badly brought-up, &c.—This is an instance of the first construction. The speaker admits as an actual fact the bad bringing-up of the children.
If the children be so badly brought-up, &c.—This is an instance of the second construction. The speaker admits as a possible (perhaps, as a probable) fact the bad bringing-up of the children: but he does not adopt it as an indubitable one.
[§ 510]. Now, if every conjunction had a fixed unvariable meaning, there would be no difficulty in determining whether a condition was absolute, and beyond doubt, or
possible, and liable to doubt. But such is not the case.
Although may precede a proposition which is admitted as well as one which is doubted.
a. Although the children are, &c.
b. Although the children be, &c.
If, too, may precede propositions wherein there is no doubt whatever implied: in other words it may be used instead of since.