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Lena876 Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
The Subjunctive Mood
Hello!
I have a question concerning the Subjunctive Mood. I am puzzled when it comes to if (conjunction).
I have been taught that when we have in the first part of a sentence the conjuction if, we should not use will in the first past of the sentence. We should use will only in the second part of the sentence. Fot example, if Nick is not busy, he will go to the concert. But for a few times when I was talking to English people they used will in the first part of the sentences. So the question is if it is ok to say ''If I will be busy, I will not come?'' Can I use will after if. If a yes, in what cases? Please tell me.
Thank you
Lena
I have a question concerning the Subjunctive Mood. I am puzzled when it comes to if (conjunction).
I have been taught that when we have in the first part of a sentence the conjuction if, we should not use will in the first past of the sentence. We should use will only in the second part of the sentence. Fot example, if Nick is not busy, he will go to the concert. But for a few times when I was talking to English people they used will in the first part of the sentences. So the question is if it is ok to say ''If I will be busy, I will not come?'' Can I use will after if. If a yes, in what cases? Please tell me.
Thank you
Lena
Top answer
Greetings, Lena, and welcome to the Forums! You are right about the general rule of using tenses in the conditional clause introduced by if and other similar subordinators. However, there is a number of exceptions which you should be able to recognise.
- Greetings, Lena, and welcome to the Forums!
- You are right about the general rule of using tenses in the conditional clause introduced by if and other similar subordinators.
- However, there is a number of exceptions which you should be able to recognise.
- First, if you will/would is often used in polite requests, would being the more polite form: If you will/would wait for a moment, I will see if Mr Jones is free.
- Secondly, if + will/would can be used with all persons to indicate willingness: If he will listen to me, I'll tell the whole truth.
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6 Answers
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Greetings, Lena, and welcome to the Forums!
You are right about the general rule of using tenses in the conditional clause introduced by if and other similar subordinators. However, there is a number of exceptions which you should be able to recognise.
First, if you will/would is often used in polite requests, would being the more polite form:
You are right about the general rule of using tenses in the conditional clause introduced by if and other similar subordinators. However, there is a number of exceptions which you should be able to recognise.
First, if you will/would is often used in polite requests, would being the more polite form:
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Hello Gleb!
Thank you very much for your explanation! I have understood now. ???????
Lena
Thank you very much for your explanation! I have understood now. ???????
Lena
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You are most welcome, Lena.
Don't hesitate to ask should you need any assistance in linguistic matters.
Respectfully, Gleb Chebrikoff
Don't hesitate to ask should you need any assistance in linguistic matters.
Respectfully, Gleb Chebrikoff
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Thank you Gleb. I guess you are Russian but as I see your English is perfect.
Lena
Lena
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Lena876I guess you are RussianNot really, my friend, though I've always had a deep sense of respect for Russian people. Thanks for a good note. Good luck in the Forums!
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ok Your Russian name on this forum made me think so...
Best wishes,
Lena
Your Russian name on this forum made me think so...Best wishes,
Lena
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