How would we know?

Question

1. If you never try, how would we know?2. If you never try, how will we know?Are both grammatically correct?  What is the difference?

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

fold scarf 101Are both grammatically correct?

Yes.

fold scarf 101What is the difference?

Grammatically, 1 is a mixed conditional, and 2 is a first conditional.

Pragmatically, here's one way to look at it. 1 is used when what is being tried is more hypothetical, and 2 is used when what is being tried is currently before you, i.e., a real situation. In 1 'we' are not standing there waiting for you to try it because it's probably going to happen somewhere else and later in the future, if at all. In 2 'we' are more likely standing there waiting for you to try it.

The question seems to be asking by what means we [will / would] know if you can do something. So another way of looking at it is to say that 'will' is used when it looks like there is a simple answer, and that 'would' is used when it seems that it's more difficult to find evidence that you succeeded at doing what you tried. In impressionistic terms, 'will' is relatively 'clear', but 'would' is relatively 'muddled'.

More context would be useful, for example, telling us what is being tried.

CJ

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