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Hotmale Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

If you would

Hello,

Can you please tell me why was "would" used in this sentence?
"If you would behave differently what things may you consider?"

I was told that "if" doesn't go with "would"., so does it mean that the sentence is not correct?

Thank you
  

Top answer

"If you would behave differently" is potentially correct in itself (a conditional form of "you will behave differently"). The sentence as a whole reads strangely to me, and appears to be archaically styled or not to have been written by a native speaker. A comma is needed after "differently".

— GPY

  • "If you would behave differently" is potentially correct in itself (a conditional form of "you will behave differently").
  • The sentence as a whole reads strangely to me, and appears to be archaically styled or not to have been written by a native speaker.
  • A comma is needed after "differently".
  • You are right that "would" in the "if" clause is often an error (characteristically made by non-native speakers, I used to think, but increasingly I hear it from native speakers too).
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4 Answers
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"If you would behave differently" is potentially correct in itself (a conditional form of "you will behave differently"). The sentence as a whole reads strangely to me, and appears to be archaically styled or not to have been written by a native speaker. A comma is needed after "differently".


You are right that "would" in the "if" clause is often an error (characteristically made by
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HotmaleI was told that "if" doesn't go with "would"., so does it mean that the sentence is not correct?
I find the sentence as a whole incoherent, so the combination of "if" and "would" is the least of its problems. "may" appears to be the wrong modal verb there. And what does a list of things to consider have to do with a change in behavior?

"If yo
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Thank you both! I will avoid using "would" after "if" in the future.
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HotmaleThank you both! I will avoid using "would" after "if" in the future.
Generally yes. There are occasions when it is appropriate, such as where someone's agreement or decision or volition is emphasised, e.g. "If only you would give up smoking, you would feel so much better", and also the "polite request" usage mentioned by CalfJim, and cases where "if" me
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