0
Anonymous Posted 10 years ago
Grammar
modal verb in "if-clause"
I can’t understand the difference between these two explanations from English grammar that I have been reading.
“….we don't use would in an if-clause :
• If I had a more reliable car, I'd drive to Spain rather than fly. (not If I would have...)”
but
“….If the first verb in a conditional if-clause is should, we can leave out if and put the verb at the start of the clause.
• Should any of this cost you anything, send me the bill.
Can or can’t we use modal verbs in “if-clause”. According to above why we can use “should” in “if-clause”, but we can’t use “would”
“….we don't use would in an if-clause :
• If I had a more reliable car, I'd drive to Spain rather than fly. (not If I would have...)”
but
“….If the first verb in a conditional if-clause is should, we can leave out if and put the verb at the start of the clause.
• Should any of this cost you anything, send me the bill.
Can or can’t we use modal verbs in “if-clause”. According to above why we can use “should” in “if-clause”, but we can’t use “would”
Top answer
We can use modals in if clauses. What we don't normally do in BrE is use w ould in future hypothetcal or present counterfactual clauses: If it would rain tomorrow, I would stay indoors. If he would be here now, we could ask him.
- We can use modals in if clauses.
- What we don't normally do in BrE is use w ould in future hypothetcal or present counterfactual clauses: If it would rain tomorrow, I would stay indoors.
- If he would be here now, we could ask him.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
4 Answers
0
We can use modals in if clauses. What we don't normally do in BrE is use would in future hypothetcal or present counterfactual clauses:
If it would rain tomorrow, I would stay indoors.
If he would be here now, we could ask him.
00
Thank you, fivejedjon
And one more quotation that confuse me totally about using in modal verbs in “if clause”
"We don't usually use if...will in conditional sentences. However, we can use if...will
when we talk about a result of something in the main clause."
And one more quotation that confuse me totally about using in modal verbs in “if clause”
"We don't usually use if...will in conditional sentences. However, we can use if...will
when we talk about a result of something in the main clause."
00
AnonymousHowever, we can use if...willwhen we talk about a result of something in the main clause."If Mary comes, we will have a foursome — enough people to play bridge.
My grandmother always told me, "If you take an umbrella, it will not rain."
00
Anonymouswe can use if...will when we talk about a result of something in the main clause."Example:
I'll (I will) hold the puppy while you wash him if that will help.
"that" in the if-clause talks about holding the puppy, which is in the main clause.
CJ
0
Related Questions