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Hi

Although I don't want to take your precious time, if you are okay, I would like politely to ask you to check if my reasoning is right.

• Through this forum, I learned when I am trying to say something under first type conditional, I can't use "would" in a main clause.

https://www.usingenglish.com/f...lt-WOULD-gt-phone-me

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• Also this is not even understood as a mixed conditional although there are <If clause-first type conditional> and <main clause-second type conditional>

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• Of course, Longman grammar books also says no usage of "would"

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• Also another grammar post says the following.

https://www.grammar.cl/english/first-conditional.htm

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Thus when I am trying to say possible situation and I am going to predict a likely result with less possibility than one with "will" modal verbs, can I say the thing like this?

For example) Context is that I think she will finishes early. But I am not sure she WILL phone me. But I guess she possibly would

aa. If  she finishes the project early, she would phone me (X)

bb. If she finishes the project early, she should / might / could phone me (O)

cc. If she finishes the project early, I would like to dine out with her. (O - It is exceptional case, "would like to do" is  one way expressing politeness.)

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Last edited by TaeBbongE
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Hello, TaeBbongE—The amount of time I have to devote to helping learners for free is very limited. I can't afford to take half an hour to visit the other forums and try to figure out what your question is and whether I agree or disagree with the answers you received elsewhere. Please put your question simply. If you do, there will be a much better chance that you will receive a timely reply here.

Last edited by David, Moderator

Dear @David, Moderator

Oh sorry, I seem so selfish . I didn't think other learners in this site.

Okay, to put it simply,,,

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When I am trying to say possible situation and I am going to predict a likely result with less possibility than one with "will" modal verbs, can I say the thing like this?

.

For example)

Context is that I think she will finishes early. But I am not sure she WILL phone me. But I guess she possibly would

aa. If she finishes the project early, she would phone me (X)

bb. If she finishes the project early, she should / might / could phone me (O)

cc. If she finishes the project early, I would like to dine out with her. (O - Because It is exceptional case, "would like to do" is  one way expressing politeness.)

Last edited by TaeBbongE

Hi, TaeBbongE,

@TaeBbongE posted:

When I am trying to say possible situation and I am going to predict a likely result with less possibility than one with "will" modal verbs, can I say the thing like this?

.

For example)

Context is that I think she will finishes early. But I am not sure she WILL phone me. But I guess she possibly would

aa. If I she finishes the project early, she would phone me (X)

bb. If I she finishes the project early, she should / might / could phone me (O)

cc. If I she finishes the project early, I would like to dine out with her. (O - Because It is exceptional case, "would like to do" is  one way expressing politeness.)

I don't understand what you mean by 'if I she'. I agree that 'aa' doesn't work. I also agree that 'cc' is grammatically correct, although I feel that the present perfect 'has finished' sounds better here. Concerning 'bb', I would use 'may' instead of 'should' as 'should' would imply that it is her duty or what is expected from her.

Dear @ahmed_btm

I am deeply sorry about typo of "I" in each sentence. Please forgive me, If I make you feel uncomfortable.

Thank for your precious time and answer.

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Okay, regarding sentence aa) again, when there is appropriate context, do you think the following sentence aa-1) is okay?

aa-1) If she finishes the project early, (and if she  wanted) she would phone me.

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For your reference)

"If you have questions about other phrases, and (If I were you) I would open a new questions???" This is correct.

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Last edited by TaeBbongE

Hi, TaeBbongE,

@TaeBbongE posted:

Dear @ahmed_btm

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Okay, regarding sentence aa) again, when there is appropriate context, do you think the following sentence aa-1) is okay?

aa-1) If she finishes the project early, (and if she  wanted) she would phone me.

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Here, we have one main clause (counterfactual): 'she would phone me.' That main clause is directly related to two subordinate clauses. The first subordinate clause is in the present simple 'factual' and that creates 'a real-hypothetical' relationship, which isn't accepted by many people. That's why I see that aa-1 doesn't work.

BTW, Late Marilyn and Rachel did accept this kind of mixed conditional. See here: https://thegrammarexchange.inf...-of-would#1881008601

And here:

https://thegrammarexchange.inf...f-i-have-it-would-be

@TaeBbongE posted:

"If you have questions about other phrases, and (If I were you) I would open a new questions???" This is correct.

That should be 'a new question', not 'a new questions'. This is different because the main clause here is used to give advice. That's why the implied meaning is understood. However, what is natural to say is: 'If you have questions about other phrases, you should …''

Last edited by ahmed_btm

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