Please tell me if the statements below refer to the past, present or future?

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AishaAisha

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1. If she came, I would lend her my bicycle.
2. If it ever came on the market, it would fetch a huge price.

I am not able to understand if these statements refer to past, present or future. Please explain?

Thanks
 
Both sentences have verbs in the past tense (came).
However, the verbs are in the past tense not because they represent past action.
The verbs are in the past tense because they represent "unlikely" or an "untrue" action. This is called the subjunctive mood.

Here's a simple explanation:
In English, a likely or true action is expressed in the present tense and the likely effect of the action is expressed as WILL + BASE FORM.
For example:
If she comes, I will lend her my bicycle. (This means I think it is very likely that she will come).
If it comes on the market, it will fetch a huge price. (This means that I expect that it will come on the market).

On the other hand, if the action is unlikey or untrue, it is expressed in the past tense and the effect of the unlikely action is expressed as WOULD + BASE FORM.

Unlikely action:
If it ever came on the market, it would fecth a huge price. (This means I don't think it will come on the market.

Untrue action (the action didn't happen).
If she came, I would lend her my bicycle. (This means she didn't come).
 
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