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Shaunm Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

Help with 'If only' sentences?

Hi,

If only the ORG were as focused on cramping down on corruption as they are cramping down on us.

1 . What does the above sentence means?
2. Why it's always the sentences that start with 'If only.. were' are appearing so incomplete to me?

Thanks for your kind help!
  

Top answer

If only the ORG were as focused on clamping down on corruption as they are clamping down on us ! 1. 'Focus on' = concentrate on.

— Mister Micawber

  • If only the ORG were as focused on clamping down on corruption as they are clamping down on us !
  • 1.
  • 'Focus on' = concentrate on.
  • 'Clamp down on' = to impose or increase controls on; suppress.
  • Do those help you?
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4 Answers
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If only the ORG were as focused on clamping down on corruption as they are clamping down on us!

1. 'Focus on' = concentrate on. 'Clamp down on' = to impose or increase controls on; suppress. Do those help you?
2. 'If only' = 'if'. Your example is a common exclamation, but it is not really a complete sentence; it is merely a subordinate conditional claus
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Thank you MM, After a long time.

Hope you are well.

That really helped except that why do we have to use incomplete sentences? Do I really need some serious lessons on the use of 'subordinate conditional clause' to understand it really well?

Thanks!
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shaunmwhy do we have to use incomplete sentences?
We do this all the time in speech: it is a natural part of the spoken language.

A: Hi. Oh! Jim?
B: Didn't recognize me? Really?
shaunm Do I really need some serious lessons on the use of 'subordinate conditional clause' to understand it really well?
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