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Olivecar Posted 8 years ago
Grammar

"if you'll hold on" OR " if you hold on"?

Hello,

I 'm reading the book "Telephoning in English" and I found this sentence in this conversation (on phone):

A: Hello, is that the Journal of Commerce?

B: Yes, that's right.

A: Look, I've just tried to get hold of Mr Mike by dialling his extension direct but there's no reply. He asked me to call him this morning.

B: Well, direct dailling normally works but if you'll hold on, I'll try to connect you. Who's calling, please?

I wonder why we say " if you'll hold on" and not " if you hold on".

Please help! THANK YOU!

  

Top answer

Both of those are possible. Normally we do not use "will" after "if", but this rule applies to the use of "will" to indicate future tense. In your example, "will" instead refers to the person's willingness.

  • Both of those are possible.
  • Normally we do not use "will" after "if", but this rule applies to the use of "will" to indicate future tense.
  • In your example, "will" instead refers to the person's willingness.
  • "Mike" is a person's first name.
  • We do not use "Mr" with first names alone, so "Mr Mike" is wrong.
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1 Answers
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Both of those are possible. Normally we do not use "will" after "if", but this rule applies to the use of "will" to indicate future tense. In your example, "will" instead refers to the person's willingness.

"Mike" is a person's first name. We do not use "Mr" with first names alone, so "Mr Mike" is wrong.

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