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EnglishNoGood Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
...can we or we can?
Hi,
Please tell me which is more approporiate:
i) Only then, can we expect ...; or
ii) Only then, we can expect...
Thank you in advance.
Please tell me which is more approporiate:
i) Only then, can we expect ...; or
ii) Only then, we can expect...
Thank you in advance.
Top answer
In the first one, you wouldn't have a comma. You describe a state that you're trying to achieve, which will then allow something that wouldn't otherwise be possible. First we must earn their trust.
- In the first one, you wouldn't have a comma.
- You describe a state that you're trying to achieve, which will then allow something that wouldn't otherwise be possible.
- First we must earn their trust.
- Only then we can we expect that they will negotiate in good faith.
- You might use the second one if you're describing something contrary to actual fact and how things we would be different.
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4 Answers
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In the first one, you wouldn't have a comma. You describe a state that you're trying to achieve, which will then allow something that wouldn't otherwise be possible.
First we must earn their trust. Only then we can we expect that they will negotiate in good faith.
You might use the second one if you're describing something contrary to actual fact and how things we would be
First we must earn their trust. Only then we can we expect that they will negotiate in good faith.
You might use the second one if you're describing something contrary to actual fact and how things we would be
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IMO, the inversion "can we" is a sort of accent device.
As "only then" is restrictive by itself, pointing out the existence of a (preliminary) condition, we shouldn't be surprised at it being followed in a majority of situations (as Google shows) by "can we," which accentuates.
As "only then" is restrictive by itself, pointing out the existence of a (preliminary) condition, we shouldn't be surprised at it being followed in a majority of situations (as Google shows) by "can we," which accentuates.
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I don't know the formal name for the grammar rule, but the verb-subject gets inverted when you move the conditional to the front.
We can win only if train hard. Only if we train hard can we win.
He will run for office only if his wife agrees. Only if his wife agrees will he run for office.
We can win only if train hard. Only if we train hard can we win.
He will run for office only if his wife agrees. Only if his wife agrees will he run for office.
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