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Anonymous Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
If + conditional
Hi,
I have a grammatical question. I am sure that I am right, but I am starting to doubt myself as I hear everyone, even very educated people, make that mistake:
Example:
If America collapsed, who would replace it? CORRECT
If America would collapse, who would replace it? INCORRECT
If you would come to my party, it would be more fun (incorrect) vs. If you came to my party, it would be more fun.
It seems that people (Americans) always use "would" after if, instead of the preterit. Is this an americanism (it seems that British speakers don't make that same mistake) or is it a plain error?
I am a French translator and would appreciate your help on this.
Thanks much!
Dominique
I have a grammatical question. I am sure that I am right, but I am starting to doubt myself as I hear everyone, even very educated people, make that mistake:
Example:
If America collapsed, who would replace it? CORRECT
If America would collapse, who would replace it? INCORRECT
If you would come to my party, it would be more fun (incorrect) vs. If you came to my party, it would be more fun.
It seems that people (Americans) always use "would" after if, instead of the preterit. Is this an americanism (it seems that British speakers don't make that same mistake) or is it a plain error?
I am a French translator and would appreciate your help on this.
Thanks much!
Dominique
Top answer
Anonymous It seems that people (Americans) always use "would" after if, instead of the preterit. I don't notice this usage very much where I live (California). Maybe it's a regionalism.
- Anonymous It seems that people (Americans) always use "would" after if, instead of the preterit.
- I don't notice this usage very much where I live (California).
- Maybe it's a regionalism.
- I would not regard it as standard.
- I'd call it an error unless it were a legitimate exception as with the idiom 'I would like', which is treated as if a present tense ( If you would like to come along, you are certainly wecome ), or with a case of reciprocal bargaining ( I would buy you a beer if you would be willing to help me fix the fence.
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6 Answers
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AnonymousIt seems that people (Americans) always use "would" after if, instead of the preterit.I don't notice this usage very much where I live (California). Maybe it's a regionalism. I would not regard it as standard. I'd call it an error unless it were a legitimate exception as with the idiom 'I would like', which is treated as if a present tense (If
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Simple. You use "would" after "if" when the volition/desire/ availability of the interlocutor is stressed or pointed out. Therefore, "if you would do that" appeals more to the willingless of the interlocutor than in "if you did that" sentence.
Also,the possibility of that thing being accomplished is slighly reduced in "if you would..." than in "if you did ..." .
Sorry
Also,the possibility of that thing being accomplished is slighly reduced in "if you would..." than in "if you did ..." .
Sorry
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StillnessSorry Calif, but " I would do that" is never in present tense.I would like you to point out exactly where I said that. I do not take kindly to being misquoted.
CJ
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StillnessAnd the mentioned case is not a regionalism at all.You claim to know how English is used in every region of the world then? That's interesting.
CJ
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My bad. I saw "would" followed by....something without importance. And the very essence of "would" is conditional, not present. Undisputedly.
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Far from me the arogance of knowing this.
BUT: regionalisms refer mainly to ways of pronounciation/ vocabulary and LESS ( to put it roughly) to grammar which tends to stay the same.The topic is endless if we slide on it.
No offence intended, btw.
BUT: regionalisms refer mainly to ways of pronounciation/ vocabulary and LESS ( to put it roughly) to grammar which tends to stay the same.The topic is endless if we slide on it.
No offence intended, btw.
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