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Guzhao67 Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

"if you should/happen to ..., will you..." structure

Hi: the following short paragraph was taken from a grammar book.

"Apart from the subjunctive forms mentioned so far, if can be followed by modal verbs that preserve their original
meaning in these contexts: should, will, would and could. Should after if, as well as the parallel structure happen to, makes the possibility of an event seem unlikely:

If you should hear from him/if you happen to hear from him, will you inform me?"

my question is: since the if clause indicate an unlikely event, why does the main clause use indicative "will" instead of "would"?

thank you
  

Top answer

guzhao67 since the if clause indicate an unlikely event I don't think the use of "if" makes an event seem unlikely, just uncertain. " This is the meaning I take from the original example. guzhao67 why does the main clause use indicative "will" instead of "would" Either version seems fine to me.

— MalRey

  • guzhao67 since the if clause indicate an unlikely event I don't think the use of "if" makes an event seem unlikely, just uncertain.
  • " This is the meaning I take from the original example.
  • guzhao67 why does the main clause use indicative "will" instead of "would" Either version seems fine to me.
  • " This seems perfectly acceptable to me.
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1 Answers
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guzhao67since the if clause indicate an unlikely event
I don't think the use of "if" makes an event seem unlikely, just uncertain.

You may or may not hear from him, if you do will you inform me?" This is the meaning I take from the original example.
guzhao67
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