If ... Will ..., ... Will ....

Question

Hi, how are you?Would you please help me see if my alternatives are idiomatic in expressing 'your' inherent habitual action (to read the book synopses before going to the meeting) in the condition given by the if-clause (you'll be at the meeting (as you boss decides you are going there)). I typed the meaning I want to express in blue in the [Background], and the interpretation I want to be checked in red after [my alternatives])[Background]Editors meet every other month to talk about miscellaneous publishing issues. You work for a publishing company, and it's the boss of your section who decides if you are sent to the meeting. You have been to the meeting representing your company several times, and know it's important to read all the documents provided for the meeting thoroughly before going to it. But you have seldom done that. You know John is the type of person who does a lot of preparation before anything, including reading book synopses normally provided for the meeting to discuss.You want to say to John that if he is sent to the meeting again, you know he will read the book synopses in detail in preparation, and that you look up to him for that.[My alternatives][3] If you are at the bimonthly book publishing meeting, you read the book synopses very thoroughly beforehand as usual. I really admire you.This could express one of ‘your’ traits, or one-time action.[4] If you are at the bimonthly book publishing meeting, you will read the book synopses very thoroughly beforehand as usual. I really admire you.This could express one of ‘your’ traits, or one-time action.[5] If you'll be at the bimonthly book publishing meeting,you will read the book synopses very thoroughly beforehand as usual. I really admire you.This could express one of ‘your’ traits, or one-time action.[ 6] "If you'll be at the bimonthly book publishing meeting, you read the synopses very thoroughly beforehand as usual. I really admire you.This is in question. Does this not stand natural?Many, many thanks!Hiro

AlpheccaStars · Accepted Answer

HSS[ 6] "If you'll be at the bimonthly book publishing meeting, you read the synopses very thoroughly beforehand as usual. I really admire you.

If you'll be at the bimonthly book publishing meeting, you will have read the synopses very thoroughly beforehand as usual.

The future perfect is needed to express an action that will be completed at some future time.

Avangi · Answer

HSSYou want to say to John that if he is sent to the meeting again, you know he will read the book synopses in detail in preparation, and that you look up to him for that.
[3] If you are at the bimonthly book publishing meeting, you read the book synopses very thoroughly beforehand as usual. I really admire you.
[4] If you are at the bimonthly book publishing meeting, you will read the book synopses very thoroughly beforehand as usual. I really admire you.
[5] If you'll be at the bimonthly book publishing meeting,you will read the book synopses very thoroughly beforehand as usual. I really admire you.
[ 6] "If you'll be at the bimonthly book publishing meeting, you read the synopses very thoroughly beforehand as usual. I really admire you.

Not to disparage the careful way you've organized your post, I think I'll pass.
So you and John are in the same section, and the boss of the section designates only one person from the section to go to the meeting to represent the company. ( Perhaps there are other "sections" in the company who also send representatives.)
At the time you wish to pay John this compliment, the representative to the upcoming meeting has not yet been designated.
So this is sort of a tense issue. There are two tenses involved: (a) to be at the meeting; (b) to read the synopses.
3. (a) is possible (if you are at), but 3 (b) would have to be "you will have read"
4. (a) (same as 3.) (b) (you will read) means you'll read the synopses while at the meeting (saying "beforehand" cannot save you from this)
5. (a) (if you'll be at) this is better, because you focus on what he does during the period prior to the meeting. (b) works in this case (you will read) because it's possible for him to read the synopses before the meeting
6. (a) (same as 5.) (b) would have to be "you will have read"
I don't know if what I've written is of any use to you.
If it were I, I'd say, "If you're designated to go to the meeting, I know you will etc."
Granted, you don't want it to sound like "if he picks you instead of me"

Yankee · Answer

How did you manage to format your post that way, Avangi?

(I don't believe I've ever seen a post that looked like that.)

Avangi · Answer

YankeeHow did you manage to format your post that way, Avangi?
(I don't believe I've ever seen a post that looked like that.)I think it was an act of ***. The next question is, how do I undo it?

Tanit · Answer

Avangi I think it was an act of ***. The next question is, how do I undo it?

Undone for you.

(Hope *** doesn't get angry at me...)

Avangi · Answer

Thanks, Tanit!<img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/77.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/77.gif' alt='Emotion: happy'/>

If ... Will ..., ... Will ....

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions