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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Zero conditionals with "can"

Hi, I need to clarify on this:

Based on my knowledge,
Zero Conditionals (facts)

If you do this, I am able to do that.
When you try, I have hope.

Based on what I read, 'if' with a modal is considered as first conditional. However with the modal 'can' it seems to be more of a zero conditional in particular contexts.

Am I correct? Can these be considered as zero conditionals?

If you do this, I can do that (If you don't, I can't)
When you make lot of noises, I can't study.

Thank you.
  

Top answer

Yes. It isn't a matter of whether ot not the circumstances are met in the conditional, it's that they're happening at all. When a person is making a lot of noises, you can't study.

  • Yes.
  • It isn't a matter of whether ot not the circumstances are met in the conditional, it's that they're happening at all.
  • When a person is making a lot of noises, you can't study.
  • It doesn't say, 'Sometimes when you make a lot of noise, I can't study' It's WHEN, meaning every time, making it a fact.
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1 Answers
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Yes.
It isn't a matter of whether ot not the circumstances are met in the conditional, it's that they're happening at all.

When a person is making a lot of noises, you can't study. It doesn't say, 'Sometimes when you make a lot of noise, I can't study'

It's WHEN, meaning every time, making it a fact.

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