Results 1 to 2 of 2
Like Tree1Likes
  • 1 Post By 5jj

Thread: Is this conditional sentence correct?

  1. #1
    donnach is offline Member
    • Member Info
      • Member Type:
      • Other
      • Native Language:
      • English
      • Home Country:
      • United States
      • Current Location:
      • United States
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    121

    Default Is this conditional sentence correct?

    I just sent this to a potential employer and I am second guessing myself about it's grammatical correctness:

    If it would make it easier for you, I could park my car and run up to the Writing Center for the parking permit.

    My recent learning about conditionals leads me to believe that it's the speaker's choice when it comes to using could or would vs, can or will.

    And I believe "would" is okay, but what about could? (I'm working my way through an informative 30-page .pdf file but really need advice about this issue now, before my interview, which will include two hours of tests.)

    Can I mix them, by the way? Can I use will, then could? or would then can?

    Thanks!

  2. #2
    5jj's Avatar
    5jj
    5jj is offline Moderator
    • Member Info
      • Member Type:
      • English Teacher
      • Native Language:
      • British English
      • Home Country:
      • England
      • Current Location:
      • Czech Republic
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Posts
    16,959
    Teacher

    Default Re: Is this conditional sentence correct?

    Quote Originally Posted by donnach View Post
    If it would make it easier for you, I could park my car and run up to the Writing Center for the parking permit.

    That is fine.

    And I believe "would" is okay, but what about could? Fine

    Can I mix them, by the way? Can I use will, then could? Not really.

    or would then can? Not really.
    People do mix tenses in conversation, but 'would...could' and 'will...can' are the best combinations for your sentence.
    donnach likes this.

Similar Threads

  1. conditional sentence
    By duiter in forum Ask a Teacher
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 06-May-2011, 18:45
  2. [Grammar] Conditional sentence
    By Nathan Mckane in forum Ask a Teacher
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 18-Nov-2010, 13:44
  3. conditional sentence
    By Nathan Mckane in forum Ask a Teacher
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 26-Jul-2010, 10:51
  4. [Grammar] should in conditional sentence
    By Unregistered in forum Ask a Teacher
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 10-Apr-2009, 06:20
  5. Could you correct this conditional sentence?
    By smee1 in forum Ask a Teacher
    Replies: 14
    Last Post: 07-Dec-2003, 22:57

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0