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Addy Posted 20 years ago
Grammar

Which is better?

1. When you use it, you learn it. When you do not use it, you lose it.

2. When you use it, you will learn it. When you do not use it, you will lose it.

And what is the difference between these two sentences?

Thank you very much!
  

Top answer

The first sentence is 'better'-- you are stating a timeless truth ; the second sentence merely puts the activities into chronological order.

— Mister Micawber

  • The first sentence is 'better'-- you are stating a timeless truth ; the second sentence merely puts the activities into chronological order.
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8 Answers
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The first sentence is 'better'-- you are stating a timeless truth; the second sentence merely puts the activities into chronological order.
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^^ Thanks.

May I ask that - how do we determine whether it is a truth or not?

Maybe to some of us, we classify it into truth / fact.

But to others, they may think that this is just the author's feeling or conjecture.
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It is the speaker's/ writer's opinion that determines the form of the sentence.

PS: Welcome to EF, Addy!
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Nice to meet you! ^^

You've really helped me a lot!

I am a F4 student in HK. I found myself very weak in English so I started searching for English Forums to chat with foreigners.

That's why I am here. ^-^

Hope I will learn a lot from here. \(^0^)/

THANK YOU!
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1. When you use it, you learn it. When you do not use it, you lose it. This is OK

2. When you use it, you will learn it. When you do not use it, you will lose it. Here, when means almost If

2a. If you use it, you will learn it. If you do not use it, you will lose it.
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>Here, when means almost If

These are all conditional sentencies. Aperisic, you should learn them.
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Selecter>Here, when means almost If

These are all conditional sentencies. Aperisic, you should learn them.
Thank you very much, I will, but I do not have any idea how you came up with mentioning the conditional in this context but:

If you love me, you will send me a letter. is just a regular, real, possible
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Again, I ask for pleasantness, and will of necessity close this thread. Please note that our guest posted in the Basic and Easy English forum, and expected responses of that level.

Thank you all for your contributions.
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