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PreciousJones Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

will/would

My friend says she wants her nose tip to be very sharp. And I jokingly say:

Wow, that's razor sharp, and your nose will/would be like a weapon and the TSA is going to give you a hard time when you travel!

Are both will and would okay? Can you please give me an explanation. Thank you.
  

Top answer

Either is fine.

— Philip

  • Either is fine.
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7 Answers
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PhilipEither is fine.
Hi Philip,

I don't doubt you and I truly want to believe you, but could you please give me a more detailed explanation. How is it possible both are grammatically correct? What would a native say?
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As you know, would is often used in conditional sentences, so there is some doubt about the next action happening. I find both natural.
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PhilipAs you know, would is often used in conditional sentences, so there is some doubt about the next action happening. I find both natural.
So, you're saying even though it's hypothetical and probably not going to happen for the TSA to get her in trouble because of her new razor sharp nose, it's still okay to use will? Because as you say - would - is used w
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PhilipAs you know, would is often used in conditional sentences, so there is some doubt about the next action happening. I find both natural.
Hi Philip,

Shouldn't I use would since it's kind of like a hypothetical situation? Thanks again!
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PreciousJonesShouldn't I use would since it's kind of like a hypothetical situation?
There's no 'should' about it.

1. (If it is very sharp,) your nose will be like a weapon
2. (If it were very sharp,) your nose would be like a weapon.

#1 presents the possibility of the nose being sharp and weapon-like as more likely than
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fivejedjon PreciousJonesShouldn't I use would since it's kind of like a hypothetical situation?There's no 'should' about it.1. (If it is very sharp,) your nose will be like a weapon 2. (If it were very sharp,) your nose would be like a weapon.#1 presents the possibility of the nose being sharp and weapon-like as more likely than #2 does. The fact that the likelihood of th
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