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Talab1234 Posted 4 years ago
Grammar

If Clare will not

1. If Clare will not prepare the file, can you prepare it on her behalf?


Does the first sentence work (not willing) or is it grammatically correct?


See below from Cambridge dictionary:



Conditional clauses with willor would

Will and would can be used in conditional clauses, either with the meaning of ‘being willing to do something’, or to refer to later results:

If Clare will meet us at the airport, it will save us a lot of time. (if Clare is willing to meet us)

If you would all stop shouting, I will try and explain the situation!

If it will make you happy, I’ll stay at home tonight. (If it is true that you will be happy as a result, I’ll stay at home tonight.

  

Top answer

talab1234 Does the first sentence work (not willing) or is it grammatically correct? It's ambiguous, and not very natural in both meanings. It could mean that Clare will not be given that task to perform.

— Anonymous

  • talab1234 Does the first sentence work (not willing) or is it grammatically correct?
  • It's ambiguous, and not very natural in both meanings.
  • It could mean that Clare will not be given that task to perform.
  • Use "not willing".
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2 Answers
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talab1234Does the first sentence work (not willing) or is it grammatically correct?

It's ambiguous, and not very natural in both meanings. It could mean that Clare will not be given that task to perform. Use "not willing".

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talab1234If it will make you happy, I’ll stay at home tonight.

This grammatical pattern is sometimes called a case of "bargaining", or "the bargaining scenario" — one of the few instances in which it is all right to use 'will' (or 'would') in an if-clause.

If you'll buy the pizza, I'll buy the beer.

CJ

talab123
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