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Jack112 Posted 21 years ago
Grammar
Would = Likely
1. If I buy this tool, would I be able to do the valve clearance check myself? (Is this a conditional here? Or is 'would' here a modal for 'likely' ?)
2. If I buy this tool, will I be able to do the valve clearance check myself? (This sounds too positive with 'will' ?)
Scenario: A guy comes into my PC shop and asks me if I have any Mac products and I say:
3. No, sir. Most people would go to a Mac store if they need something. (Is 'would' here a modal for likely?)
4. No, sir. Most people would go to a Mac store if they needed something. (I know this is correct conditional but does it make sense when I use 'needed' ?)
Thanks.
2. If I buy this tool, will I be able to do the valve clearance check myself? (This sounds too positive with 'will' ?)
Scenario: A guy comes into my PC shop and asks me if I have any Mac products and I say:
3. No, sir. Most people would go to a Mac store if they need something. (Is 'would' here a modal for likely?)
4. No, sir. Most people would go to a Mac store if they needed something. (I know this is correct conditional but does it make sense when I use 'needed' ?)
Thanks.
Top answer
Hi, 1. If I buy this tool, would I be able to do the valve clearance check myself? 'Would' makes it sound unlikely or hypothetical that you will do the check.
- Hi, 1.
- If I buy this tool, would I be able to do the valve clearance check myself?
- 'Would' makes it sound unlikely or hypothetical that you will do the check.
- In such a case, you need to say 'bought' instead of 'buy'.
- 2.
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5 Answers
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Hi,
1. If I buy this tool, would I be able to do the valve clearance check myself? 'Would' makes it sound unlikely or hypothetical that you will do the check. In such a case, you need to say 'bought' instead of 'buy'.
2. If I buy this tool, will I be able to do the valve clearance check myself? (This sounds too posi
1. If I buy this tool, would I be able to do the valve clearance check myself? 'Would' makes it sound unlikely or hypothetical that you will do the check. In such a case, you need to say 'bought' instead of 'buy'.
2. If I buy this tool, will I be able to do the valve clearance check myself? (This sounds too posi
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1. If I bought this tool, would I be able to do the valve clearance check myself? (Let's say I'm highly considering buying the tool but I'm not sure if I could do the valve clearance check myself, should I use a mixed conditional or the imgainary one or real conditonal? Why? )
Thanks.
Thanks.
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Hi again, Jack,
Oh, now I see what you are asking about.
In a case like that, I don't see anything wrong at all with saying
If I buy this tool, would I be able to do the valve clearance check myself?
It conveys your meaning very clearly.
Clive
Oh, now I see what you are asking about.
In a case like that, I don't see anything wrong at all with saying
If I buy this tool, would I be able to do the valve clearance check myself?
It conveys your meaning very clearly.
Clive
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CliveWhat shou
Hi again, Jack,
Oh, now I see what you are asking about.
In a case like that, I don't see anything wrong at all with saying
If I buy this tool, would I be able to do the valve clearance check myself?
It conveys your meaning very clearly.
Clive
00
I think you could describe it as 'mixed', for what it's worth: type 1/type 2.
1. "If I buy this tool, would I be able to do the valve clearance myself?"
At one level it's strange, because you're combining the immediate with the remote (why else would you buy the tool, if not to do the valve clearance?). But it's pychologically sound, as it makes your faith in your own ability see
1. "If I buy this tool, would I be able to do the valve clearance myself?"
At one level it's strange, because you're combining the immediate with the remote (why else would you buy the tool, if not to do the valve clearance?). But it's pychologically sound, as it makes your faith in your own ability see
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