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Ccp Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

Correct use of To be

Hello,

I’m buying something that should be delivered in 4 days. I want to write, in the Purchase Order, that if vendor fails to deliver on such due date, a certain penalty will be applied.
I found the following sentence, which wanted to use:

“ If provider was not able to deliver on the agreed date, the following penalties will be applied... “

Is it correct the use of ‘to be’ in that tense for this case?

Thank you in advance,
  

Top answer

The word "be" is used correctly, if that's what you mean. It should be " the provider". "

— GPY

  • The word "be" is used correctly, if that's what you mean.
  • It should be " the provider".
  • "
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4 Answers
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The word "be" is used correctly, if that's what you mean.

It should be "the provider". Also, as I understand the context, it would be better to say "If the provider is not able to ..."
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Thank you, GPY.

Indeed, my question regarding the use of 'to be' might has been confusing. I was actually wondering if ' was not able to..." is correct.
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ccpThank you, GPY.Indeed, my question regarding the use of 'to be' might has been confusing. I was actually wondering if ' was not able to..." is correct.
If "was not able to" is intended as an unreal tense then you would need to continue with "would be" rather than "will be". However, in this case it seems more straightforward to say "is not able to ... will
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You're correct. I meant a future event.
Thank you for your advice.
Cheers!
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