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MUSCOVITE Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

antiquated grammar?

Hi,

Consider
(1) If you will help me with this math problem, I will...
(2) If you are willing to help me with this math problem, I will...
vs
(3) If you help me with this math problem, I will ....

Although (1) and (2) are often discussed in grammar books, there are a few nuances that I'd like you to explain to me in more detail....

(a) Can we say that (1) is VERY VERY rare in today's English?
(b) Can we say that (1) and (2) are very close to each other both in meaning and register?
(c) Can we say that (1) and (2) are, in the first place, just very polite requests (unlike (3) which is no request at all)?

mus-te
  

Top answer

MUSCOVITE (a) Can we say that (1) is VERY VERY rare in today's English? Not at all; it expresses one's will, not the future. MUSCOVITE b) Can we say that (1) and (2) are very close to each other both in meaning and register?

— Mister Micawber

  • MUSCOVITE (a) Can we say that (1) is VERY VERY rare in today's English?
  • Not at all; it expresses one's will, not the future.
  • MUSCOVITE b) Can we say that (1) and (2) are very close to each other both in meaning and register?
  • Yes, that is so.
  • MUSCOVITE c) Can we say that (1) and (2) are, in the first place, just very polite requests (unlike (3) which is no request at all)?
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5 Answers
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MUSCOVITE(a) Can we say that (1) is VERY VERY rare in today's English?
Not at all; it expresses one's will, not the future.
MUSCOVITEb) Can we say that (1) and (2) are very close to each other both in meaning and register?
Yes, that is so.
MUSCOVITEc) Can we say that (1) and (2) are, in the first plac
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Mister MicawberMUSCOVITE(a) Can we say that (1) is VERY VERY rare in today's English?
Not at all; it expresses one's will, not the future.
  • If you will help me with this math problem, I will be very grateful to you.
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MUSCOVITEWhich of example sentences above are ok (= not only grammatical but also NATURAL English)?
All should take 'would' in the second term at least.
MUSCOVITEA request should (imho) look like this :"Please help me with this math problem, and I will gladly help you with your English composition then"or"If you could help me with this
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Mister Micawber Can we say that (1) and (2) are, in the first place, just very polite requests (unlike (3) which is no request at all)?Not at all. #3 is the standard request; the other two are slightly more polite or formal.
Politely butting in here,
but I don't think that sentence 3 sounds like a request,
it sounds to me more like a sentence one uses
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MUSCOVITE(a) Can we say that (1) is VERY VERY rare in today's English?
Heavens, no! This is "bargaining will".

See
See
See

CJ
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