'...most/more straightforward way/ways...asking when the house will/would be built.'

Question

I guess one of the most straightforward way to convey the idea would be asking when the house will be built. - 'When will the house be built?'   I guess one of the most straightforward way to convey the idea would be asking when the house would be built. - 'When will the house be built?'  I am not too sure about whether I should use 'will' or 'would' in that sentence. Plus what are the differences between, 'one of the most straightforward way' and 'one of the more straightforward way' ?   In both cases, should it be 'straightforward ways' or 'straightforward way'? Thanks PBF

BarbaraPA · Accepted Answer

If that was a copy and paste from me, I definitely made a mistake - it should have been "ways."

Will - it's definitely going to happen (at some point).

Would - some sort of uncertainty - "if we were talking about houses in the first place, this would work"

Clive · Answer

Hi,

I guess one of the most straightforward way to convey the idea would be asking when the house will be built. - 'When will the house be built?'

I guess one of the most straightforward way to convey the idea would be asking when the house would be built. - 'When will the house be built?'

I am not too sure about whether I should use 'will' or 'would' in that sentence. You can use either.

'Will' conveys certainty that the house will be built.

'Would' suggest it will only be built under certain conditions. eg If I paid you $100,000, when would the house be built.

Plus what are the differences between, 'one of the most straightforward ways' and 'one of the more straightforward ways' ? You can say either.

'one of the most straightforward ways' Suggests you are thinking that several ways are much better than all other ways, and that no ways are better that the ones you are thinking of.

'one of the more straightforward ways' Suggests you are thinking that several ways are better than most of the other ways. However, there may still be some ways that are even better than the ones you are thinking of.

I hope these two explanations are not too vague.

In both cases, should it be 'straightforward ways' or 'straightforward way'? 'One of the . . . ' makes clear that it should be 'ways'.

Best wishes, Clive

Peaceblinkfriend · Answer

Thanks for your replies, Grammar Geek and Clive

Actually I was wondering whether it's like report structures in that I need to change 'will' to 'would' even though the question I intend to ask is 'When will the house be built.'
I can hardly see any vagueness in your explanations Clive.

Oh and GG, that wasn't a copy and paste from you.

Thanks again

PBF

Clive · Answer

Hi again,

'Will' sounds fine.

Clive

'...most/more straightforward way/ways...asking when the house will/would be built.'

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