It has come to our attention that some residents have been feeding pigeons in the estate. We advise residents to refrain from feeding them because leftover food would attract insects and rats into the estate.
Also, a dirty and unhygienic environment would pose a health problem for residents.
1. In the above message, should 'will' be used instead of 'would'?
2. Are there any errors in the message?
Thanks.
Not a teacher
I would also use „would“ in both sentences because of the preceding verb „refrain from“, i.e. not do something.
As the subordinate clause (because it would attract insects and rats….) is based on the assumption that the action won’t happen any more [people are nice and always follow requests, don’t they], a conditional verb form, i.e. would, is required.
I read the sentence as follows:
We advise residents to refrain from feeding the pigeons because [if they did continue – but of course they won’t] leftover food would attract insects and rats into the estate.
(if-sentence, conditional construction; irrealis: expresses a condition that is either known to be false or unlikely).
Last edited by emka; 11-Oct-2011 at 10:14. Reason: typo; addition of if-reference
I read the sentence as follows:
We advise residents to refrain from feeding the pigeons because the food that is left over from this current practice will, if it continues, attract insects and rats into the estate.
Thanks to all who replied to my post.
Could somebody explain to me why 'would' should be used in the following sentence?
Also, a dirty and unhygienic environment would pose a health problem for residents.
Thanks, Fivejedjon.
I'm glad to learn that either 'will' or 'would' can be used in the sentence I quoted.
These two verbs are really confusing.
Last edited by Tan Elaine; 12-Oct-2011 at 08:14.