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Lission Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

Will or would/any errors in the sentence.

I once saw this notice sent to my niece by the school principal.

Please do not park your car near the school as the cars would cause congestion.

Why is 'would' used but not 'will'?  I think it should be 'will'.

Are there any mistakes in the sentence? 

Thanks.
  

Top answer

They would cause congestion IF they were parked there. " It's a very vague request. One block?

— BarbaraPA

  • They would cause congestion IF they were parked there.
  • " It's a very vague request.
  • One block?
  • Four blocks?
  • Just not in the school parking lot?
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4 Answers
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They would cause congestion IF they were parked there.

My bigger problem with the sentence is "what is 'near'?" It's a very vague request. One block? Four blocks? Just not in the school parking lot? What?
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Thanks, Grammar Geek.

The parents of students often park their cars within walking distance of the school because there is usually no parking lot near the schools. They have to park at a parking lot farther away and have to walk there. Being lazy, most parents park their cars very near the school. I hope my explanation is clear.
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Lissionthe cars would cause congestion.
The principal is just trying to soft-pedal this command. would suggests that the car situation is hypothetical -- which it isn't -- but this wording with would avoids having to say something more direct, like will, or even more direct: ... as the cars are already causing a great deal
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Hello CJ

Thanks for your help.
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