conditional with implicit/ellipted if-clause?

Question

Hi, I want to know if the use of the modal "would" is correct in this context. I think this type of use (with implict/ellipted if-clauses) of the modal "would" is prevalent. Is that right? Is the ellipted if-clause "if you asked me"? Any other possibilities?

A high-pitching sales person talking on the street market:

Alright, ladies and gentlemen, we have a deal for you. We have to get rid of our stuff today and we are going to give you fantastic prices. I think/am sure you would find these prices something you will encounter once in a life time. I would like for you to buy these now if could. (shouting aloud) Deal. Deal.

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,
I want to know if the use of the modal "would" is correct in this context. I think this type of use (with implict/ellipted if-clauses) of the modal "would" is prevalent. Is that right? Is the ellipted if-clause "if you asked me"? Any other possibilities?

A high-pitching sales person talking on the street market:

Alright, ladies and gentlemen, we have a deal for you. We have to get rid of our stuff today and we are going to give you fantastic prices. I think/am sure you would find these prices something you will encounter once in a life time. I would like for you to buy these now if could. (shouting aloud) Deal. Deal.

If the salesman spoke reasonably good English, he'd say something like this.
All right, ladies and gentlemen, we have a deal for you. We have to get rid of our stuff today and we are going to give you fantastic prices. I'm sure you will find these prices something you will encounter once in a life time. Buy these now! They're a great deal!
He wants to convey confidence, not uncertainty or conditionality.

However, let's assume he says this.
I think you would find these prices something you will encounter once in a life time.
He needs to replace 'will' with 'would', as the while thing is conditional/hypothetical.
The unspoken condition is 'If you checked a lot of prices'.

Yes, the condition is often left unstated. It's not unusual. eg Mary really likes Tom. I think she would marry him. (If he asked her.)

Best wishes, Clive

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you.You said this as part of your overall answer/response:

However, let's assume he says this.
I think you would find these prices something you will encounter once in a life time.
He needs to replace 'will' with 'would', as the while thing is conditional/hypothetical.
The unspoken condition is 'If you checked a lot of prices'.

Yes, the condition is often left unstated. It's not unusual. eg Mary really likes Tom. I think she would marry him. (If he asked her.)

Trying to spot what the unspoken condtion is and how many there might be is what troubles me. Do you think the nspoken condition has to be one and only one. For the first one above, I would have guessed it to be "if you asked me", not yours, which is "if you checked a lot fo prices." Does that mean mine is wrong? Why do you think your conditio didn't occur to me when I am sure (think) I am in a skill level to come up with it?

Clive · Answer

Hi,
A high-pitching sales person talking on the street market:

Alright, ladies and gentlemen, we have a deal for you. We have to get rid of our stuff today and we are going to give you fantastic prices. I think/am sure you would find these prices something you will encounter once in a life time. I would like for you to buy these now if could. (shouting aloud) Deal. Deal.

Thank you.You said this as part of your overall answer/response:

However, let's assume he says this.
I think you would find these prices something you will encounter once in a life time.
He needs to replace 'will' with 'would', as the while thing is conditional/hypothetical.
The unspoken condition is 'If you checked a lot of prices'.

Yes, the condition is often left unstated. It's not unusual. eg Mary really likes Tom. I think she would marry him. (If he asked her.)

Trying to spot what the unspoken condtion is and how many there might be is what troubles me. Yes, the reader is left to interpet the writer/speaker's meaning. But often, it's pretty obvious.

Do you think the nspoken condition has to be one and only one. No, I don't. But note that multiple conditions can be difficult for the reader to keep track of.
eg If I win the lottery and if Tom doesn't ask her first and if she decides that she loves me, Mary will marry me.

For the first one above, I would have guessed it to be "if you asked me", not yours, which is "if you checked a lot fo prices." Does that mean mine is wrong?

I still prefer my version, but it's a matter of interpretation.

I think perhaps we are 'applying' the condition to different parts of the sentence, as indicated by the following parentheses.

if you asked me, ( I think you would find these prices something you will encounter once in a life time )

I think that ( if you checked a lot of prices. you would find these prices something you will encounter once in a life time )

Why do you think your conditio didn't occur to me when I am sure (think) I am in a skill level to come up with it? I just looked at the paragraph and tried to make my own decision about the meaning, independently of what you decided. Then I offered you my opinion.

Best wishes again, Clive

conditional with implicit/ellipted if-clause?

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