That be perfect.

Question

Hello,Context: suppose that I'm a moderator in a forum. A nonnative English speaker has written a paragraph in English buthe has not capitalized the letter i. Accordingly I want to say to him one of these two. I don't know which one is grammatically ok:Alex, it would be better if we capitalize the letter i.Alex, it will be better if we capitalize the letter i.Can both work in my context or not?Thank you

Clive · Accepted Answer

I'd just say You need to capitalize the pronoun 'I'.
'Better' sounds like it is optional.

CalifJim · Answer

sb70012which one is grammatically ok:

Both are grammatically OK, but in the general case of making a suggestion in a polite way, use "would", and then the past tense in the if-clause, though the mixed conditional with the present simple tense is also possible.

It would be better if we [capitalized the letter I / painted the house before the wedding / signed the papers on Monday / paid the bills early / talked to them in person / ...].

Note that this is not appropriate for the case at hand, as already noted by Clive. You need more of a command than a polite suggestion in the case of rules that must be followed.

CJ

Sb70012 · Answer

If I use [would], then I should say [capitalized] or [capitalize]?

CalifJim · Answer

sb70012If I use [would], then I should say [capitalized] or [capitalize]?

I believe I have already written that both are possible, but if you want a recommendation, then I'd say "capitalized" is the word to use.

CJ

That be perfect.

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