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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
If + verb/adjective: will or would?
Hello,
I would appreciate if you could, please share your thoughts on this.
Cash is not normally accepted by online merchants.
If accepted, they will / would issue you a receipt right then and there.
In the above example, can we either use 'will' or 'would' since 'If accepted' could either mean 'If it is accepted' or 'If it were accepted'?
If the above context suggests that only one is possible, are there other instances that we can either use 'will' or 'would' when only 'If + verb/adjective' is given? eg. if received, if granted, if true, etc.
By the way, I read 'if+verb/adjective' are common in American English, but not in British English. Would you agree?
I would appreciate if you could, please share your thoughts on this.
Cash is not normally accepted by online merchants.
If accepted, they will / would issue you a receipt right then and there.
In the above example, can we either use 'will' or 'would' since 'If accepted' could either mean 'If it is accepted' or 'If it were accepted'?
If the above context suggests that only one is possible, are there other instances that we can either use 'will' or 'would' when only 'If + verb/adjective' is given? eg. if received, if granted, if true, etc.
By the way, I read 'if+verb/adjective' are common in American English, but not in British English. Would you agree?
Top answer
You can only use 'will'. All of the 'if +' phrases you mention at Conditional I statements. I can't tell you about BrE.
- You can only use 'will'.
- All of the 'if +' phrases you mention at Conditional I statements.
- I can't tell you about BrE.
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4 Answers
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You can only use 'will'. All of the 'if +' phrases you mention at Conditional I statements. I can't tell you about BrE.
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I see in no case should I use 'would' in such phrases because they are assumed as Conditional I statements.
Thanks so much.
Thanks so much.
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"Cash is not normally accepted by online merchants.
If accepted, they will / would issue you a receipt right then and there."
"in no case should I use 'would' in such phrases"
No. Not "in no case". I think you misunderstood something.
You set up your example in the present tense. You're talking about something habitual or routine in the present. That's why you need "
If accepted, they will / would issue you a receipt right then and there."
"in no case should I use 'would' in such phrases"
No. Not "in no case". I think you misunderstood something.
You set up your example in the present tense. You're talking about something habitual or routine in the present. That's why you need "
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I see if the set-up of Conditional I statements is in the past, then 'would' is possible in such phrases.
Thanks so much for those example and clarification.
Thanks so much for those example and clarification.
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