if used?

[sevas]

Is it correct? We use computers everywhere and if used wisely they are really useful and helpful.

[SirGod]

* Not a teacher

It looks OK to me, but I would write it like this:

We use computers everywhere and, if used wisely, they become really useful and helpful.

I just think that become fits better than are in this case.

[TheParser]

[QUOTE=sevas;838235]Is it correct? We use computers everywhere and if used wisely they are really useful and helpful.


NOT A TEACHER


(1) I agree with SirGod's suggestions: commas are needed:

We use computers everywhere and, if [they are] used wisely, they are really useful and helpful.

(a) The commas are necessary because I think that "if they are used wisely" is

parenthetical. That is, an extra comment "thrown " into the sentence.

(2) I think that it would a good idea to delete (erase) the word "useful." Why? Because

you have already used the word "used." Such repetition should perhaps be avoided.

(3) Thus, we may have:

We use computers everywhere and, if used wisely, they are really helpful.

(4) I think that writing teachers tells us ordinary people to write "tight" sentences.

That is, delete unnecessary words.