Go Back   UsingEnglish.com ESL Forum > Learning English > Ask a Teacher


Closed Thread
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 24-Nov-2003, 15:27
Helped Wanted
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default Please advise on the use of Conditionals , teachers! T_T

I am not sure whether the conditional used below is correct! Please advise and correct the passage if there's any mistakes. Many thanks again! T_T



Although I may not be good at doing business, I will try my best. If I can, maybe I will employ a robot as my assistant and call it Amy. Then, I can type all the information into Amy's "Memory Ball".
  #2  
Old 24-Nov-2003, 16:46
RonBee's Avatar
Moderator
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,539
Home Country: United States
Native Language: American English
Current Location: United States
Member Type: Other
Default Re: Please advise on the use of Conditionals , teachers! T_T

Here are my suggestions. Please give me your opinion of them. :)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Helped Wanted
Although I may not be good at doing business, I will try my best. If I can, maybe I will employ a robot as my assistant and call it Amy. Then, I can type all the information into Amy's "Memory Ball".
  • Although I may not be good at business, I will do my best. If I can, maybe I will employ a robot as my assistant and call it Amy. Then I can type all the information into Amy's "Memory Ball".
What do you think?

:)
  #3  
Old 26-Nov-2003, 09:59
Helped Wanted
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Thanks for helping, Ronbee! I just got confused with using the modal " can" in such a case as employing a robot (which is fairly an impossible thing to do). I thought we should use the modal "could" instead. Anyway, if the modal used in the sentence is fine, then I will just keep to it! Thanks! ^o^
  #4  
Old 26-Nov-2003, 17:13
RonBee's Avatar
Moderator
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,539
Home Country: United States
Native Language: American English
Current Location: United States
Member Type: Other
Default

You would use would there to suggest impossibility. Example:
  • If I could employ a robot I would do so.
(You can't, but you would like to.)

While "try my best" is used, I think it would be better to do your best. (Good at doing business is not used. It's good at business.)

:)
Closed Thread

Bookmarks

Tags
advise, use, conditionals, teachers, t_t


Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Please advise, teachers! Thanks ^o^ Helped Wanted Ask a Teacher 8 21-Mar-2004 16:15
Need advise on Singular and Plural, thanks teachers! Helped Wanted Ask a Teacher 3 31-Jan-2004 20:57
PLEASE ADVISE, teachers! URGENT :'( Helped Wanted Ask a Teacher 5 28-Jan-2004 08:25
Sorry for wanting help again, teachers! Please advise! Thx Helped Wanted Ask a Teacher 3 07-Dec-2003 15:02
Sorry for wanting help again! PLEASE ADVISE, teachers! :&quo Helped Wanted Ask a Teacher 2 03-Dec-2003 16:38


All times are GMT. The time now is 20:19.



Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO ©2011, Crawlability, Inc.