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Anonymous Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Is this sentence work?

I will tell her the truth when confident.
  

Top answer

Anonymous Does this sentence work? I will tell her the truth when I am confident.

— RandomGuy

  • Anonymous Does this sentence work?
  • I will tell her the truth when I am confident.
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10 Answers
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AnonymousDoes this sentence work?
I will tell her the truth when I am confident.
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Can I omit the two words "I am"?
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AnonymousCan I omit the two words "I am"?
No, because the sentence would be ambiguous. There would be two different and confusing meanings:

I will tell her when (I am) confident.

I will tell her when (she is) confident.
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AnonymousCan I omit the two words "I am"?
No, for the reason above. However, you can drop I am without creating confusion if the when-clause is introductory.

When confident, I will tell her the truth.
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Hello Aspara Gus and Alphecca Stars.

When confident, I will tell her the truth. How can I know who's the confident? I mean maybe I'll tell her the truth when she's confident. ( Well, the sentence looks weird, though)
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Hi, Nugso,

When confident, I will tell her the truth.

Grammar allows this omission because an introductory clause that is without a subject by default takes the subject of the main clause (I), not an object (her).

Be careful with these constructions, though, because they can sometimes result in dangling:

*
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Thank you, Aspara Gus. Could you please check the following sentences whether to make me sure I've understood it?

When you're ready, we can go. ( you're is needed)

When ready, I'll play. ( I don't need I am, right?)
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NugsoThank you, Aspara Gus. Could you please check the following sentences whether to make me sure I've understood it?When you're ready, we can go. ( you're is needed)When ready, I'll play. ( I don't need I am, right?)
I would use the full clause as the introductory element. It is what I would say in conversations.

When I'm ready, I'll go.
When I'
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NugsoWhen you're ready, we can go. ( you're is needed)
That's right. Without you're, the sentence means that you're not ready, either.
NugsoWhen ready, I'll play. ( I don't need I am, right?)
Yes, you're right, but you will probably never hear a native speaker say that. These kinds of reduced clauses (with the verb
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Thank you again, AlpheccaStars and Aspara Gus.

I'd better not reduce then. ( Even if it's not incorrect)
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