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Anonymous Posted 10 years ago
Grammar
Please help me.
Help me understand the use of would?
I don't know how to log into that website. I am going to call Jack. I think he would know how to log into that website. Is the use of would correct in the sentence? This is what people have said in reply below.
It's a straightforward Conditional.
First Conditional: If I ask Jack, he will know.
Second Conditional: If I asked Jack, he would know.
Please note that the Second Conditional is NOT a Past tense. It simply indicates a 'less likely' condition than the First.
'If I ask' - and I think I will ask
'If I asked' - but I'm not quite sure yet if I'm going to ask.
In this context you could use either of them.
But here I mentioned that I am actually going to ask him. So, how is would correct in the sentence?
I don't know how to log into that website. I am going to call Jack. I think he would know how to log into that website. Is the use of would correct in the sentence? This is what people have said in reply below.
It's a straightforward Conditional.
First Conditional: If I ask Jack, he will know.
Second Conditional: If I asked Jack, he would know.
Please note that the Second Conditional is NOT a Past tense. It simply indicates a 'less likely' condition than the First.
'If I ask' - and I think I will ask
'If I asked' - but I'm not quite sure yet if I'm going to ask.
In this context you could use either of them.
But here I mentioned that I am actually going to ask him. So, how is would correct in the sentence?
Top answer
The sentence "If I ask Jack, he will know" is better. However, the sentence doesn't make good sense because of the if clause. Jack won't know because I ask him.
- The sentence "If I ask Jack, he will know" is better.
- However, the sentence doesn't make good sense because of the if clause.
- Jack won't know because I ask him.
- That isn't what you meant.
- He knows whether you ask or not.
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37 Answers
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The sentence "If I ask Jack, he will know" is better.
However, the sentence doesn't make good sense because of the if clause.
Jack won't know because I ask him.
That isn't what you meant.
He knows whether you ask or not.
However, the sentence doesn't make good sense because of the if clause.
Jack won't know because I ask him.
That isn't what you meant.
He knows whether you ask or not.
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- I know Jack will know how to log in. (Perfect 100% certainty)
- I think Jack will know how to log in. (Less certain than #1, but still pretty sure.)
- I think Jack would know how to log in. (Less certain than #2, highly likely.)
- I think Jack might know how to log in. (You are not confident that Jack knows this, but it's worth asking him.)
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AlpheccaStars I know Jack will know how to log in. (Perfect 100% certainty)I think Jack will know how to log in. (Less certain than #1, but still pretty sure.)I think Jack would know how to log in. (Less certain than #2, highly likely.)I think Jack might know how to log in. (You are not confident that Jack knows this, but it's worth asking him.)Thank you for
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AnonymousIf he were asked, he would know.This is an acceptable example of an implied if-clause. It's usually when they are as vacuous as this one is that they are left out.
CJ
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CalifJim AnonymousIf he were asked, he would know.This is an acceptable example of an implied if-clause. It's usually when they are as vacuous as this one is that they are left out.CJYou mean I could use would here whether I am going to ask him or not? He would know if he were asked. This sentence would be possible if I was not sure whether to ask him or not.
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AnonymousYou mean I could use would here whether I am going to ask him or not?Of course. A second conditional is just a "what if?" situation. It's an imagined relationship between a condition and a result.
I can say "I would buy a big house if I won a million dollars". I can say that whether I am going to win a million dollars or not.
CJ
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CalifJim AnonymousYou mean I could use would here whether I am going to ask him or not?Of course. A second conditional is just a "what if?" situation. It's an imagined relationship between a condition and a result.I can say "I would buy a big house if I won a million dollars". I can say that whether I am going to win a million dollars or not.CJI am buying a p
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AnonymousI am buying a pair of jordan shoes for him. I think he will like it.No. 'I think he will like them.'
Anonymous I can't say I think he would like it. Can I?Not if you have paid for them; the deed is done. But if asked why you bought them, you can say, "I thought he would like them.'
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Mister Micawber AnonymousI am buying a pair of jordan shoes for him. I think he will like it. No. 'I think he will like them.'Anonymous I can't say I think he would like it. Can I?Not if you have paid for them; the deed is done. But if asked why you bought them, you can say, "I thought he would like them.'I haven't paid yet. I am about to. Still will is corre
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If the sentense is still correct with the context that I haven'to paid but I am about to, how is my original sentence correct with would?
I think he would know If he were asked. I haven't asked him yet but I am about to. both of the sentences have the same context and one is correct with would and one with wii. Why is that?
I think he would know If he were asked. I haven't asked him yet but I am about to. both of the sentences have the same context and one is correct with would and one with wii. Why is that?
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