Another "If clause"

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Hi everyone,I'm here again with a question. ^^Can someone tell me the difference between"If he has money, he will buy a car." and "If he has money, he would buy a car."?Thank you soooooooooo much~!

FioraVisirel · Accepted Answer

In both cases, the "if" refers to a conditional  state. The  difference is in the tense of the verb. In the first example, has is  present conditional. The second example should read "If he had money,  he would buy a car." This example has the verb in past conditional. In  this case, it really has nothing to do with the "if" as much as it does  with making sure the verb tense is parallel.

Marius Hancu · Answer

Study this site:

Present Unreal Conditional
http://www.englishpage.com/conditional/presentconditional.html#presentunreal

Goodman · Answer

FioraVisirelIn both cases, the "if" refers to a conditional state. The difference is in the tense of the verb. In the first example, has is present conditional. The second example should read "If he had money, he would buy a car." This example has the verb in past conditional. In this case, it really has nothing to do with the "if" as much as it does with making sure the verb tense is parallel.

Exactly!

When we use “if” in a hypothetical situation, we must used [had] or [were] in conjunction with [would] to form a “conditional” structure. i.e. “If I had money, I wouldn’t be living in this crummy apartment” But the fact is I don’t,

“If he were doing his homework, he would have found out more about the competition”. But the fact was, he wasn’t doing his research.

“if I were rich, I would buy you anything you want”. But I am poor, so it’s not real.

However, there are other “if” applications that are exceptions to this rule. It’s also correct to say “If it rains tomorrow, the picnic will be cancelled”. In this context, we are anticipating something which is likely to happen.

So the present condition is allowed.

Anonymous · Answer

In what circumstances do we use will after if in a conditional state?

Goodman · Answer

Anonymous In what circumstances do we use will after if in a conditional state?

If you don’t stop teasing me, you will suffer the consequences.

If the company sale doesn’t make the projected number, I can see drastic changes coming.

If you don’t turn down your music, I will do that for you.

I think of this type of usage as “cause and effect” condition, with the first part being the cause and latter part as the effect which are anticipated or expected to happen and you may use the present form of the verb and aux. words in spite of their “conditional nature”.

Tlzone08 · Answer

I thought you can use "If I have money, I will help you." and "If I have money, I would help you."

Here, HAVE is the present tense, and WOULD is the past tense.

Are these okay?

Someone said using WOULD makes it less polite.

Then why can't I say, "If he has money, he would buy a car."?

It's sooooo difficult and confusing T.T

Thank you everyone for your help. ^^

Anonymous · Answer

Hi,

Thanks for responding. I did not mean first conditional. I meant will after if (if you will..., then I will...). I know sometimes we can use it that way but I don't recall in what circumstances.

Anonymous · Answer

Tlzone08I thought you can use "If I have money, I will help you." OK

and "If I have money, I would help you." No, that's not OK

Here, HAVE is the present tense, and WOULD is the past tense. In the sentence above, 'would help' is conditional (i.e. 'would' is not the past tense)

Someone said using WOULD makes it less polite. In the sentence above, using 'would' simply sounds like incorrect grammar.

Then why can't I say, "If he has money, he would buy a car."? Why do you want to say this?
You can say:
"If he has money, he will buy a car."
-OR-
"If he had money, he would buy a car."

If you want to create a "mixed conditional" you need to have a good reason for doing so (i.e. you would have to provide more context to justify mixing two different conditional sentence types).

Yankee · Answer

.
You can use will after if when will is used to show willingness or when if is used with the meaning of whether, for example.

- I will if you will.
- Do you happen to know if he will be at the meeting tomorrow?

Anonymous · Answer

Thanks Yankee. Now it's clear.

Another "If clause"

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