This radio station wouldn't be as good as it can be without you.

[Steven D]

This radio station wouldn't be as good as it can be without you.

[Steven D]

Must we use "could" with "would"?

I'm only wondering whether I've become conditioned to what is possible by teaching English.

It would seem to me that this sentence does not conform to the forms outlined in grammar books and grammar references.

I notice this occurs with conditional sentences from time to time.

So, I have to wonder whether or not teaching English is affecting what I would say and what I would not say. Or have I always spoken like this or like that?

I don't know.

[Steven D]

I heard this on the radio.

[Tdol]

It's something you might hear, but I don't like it- I'd use 'could'.

[Steven D]

Originally Posted by tdol

It's something you might hear, but I don't like it- I'd use 'could'.

That's my initial thought, but when I hear things like this enough times from speakers who are considered to be educated, it makes me wonder just a bit.

I wonder whether or not I've changed my perception of what would be okay and would not be okay. Or would that have always been my initial thought no matter what? There's no going back to find out.

What is one to say to an EFL/ESL student? It's okay for him and others to say it, but you can't? It's correct for them, but not for you?

[Steven D]

Originally Posted by tdol

It's something you might hear, but I don't like it- I'd use 'could'.

Okay, but what if the radio station is as good as it can be, but it wouldn't be without you?

- know what I mean?

- just a thought...

[tuangpi]

I also keep hearing and seeing sentences like: The government don't give a damn to the social security.

Is this sentence correct in your opinion? Or is it more a matter of BE and AE?

[Steven D]

Originally Posted by tuangpi

I also keep hearing and seeing sentences like: The government don't give a damn to the social security.

Is this sentence correct in your opinion? Or is it more a matter of BE and AE?

That is simply incorrect. - just incorrect.

There's no room for discussion on that one.

One might find, at times, more reason for discussion where certain conditional forms are concerned.

[Tdol]

In BE, you will hear government as a plural.

[Tdol]

Originally Posted by X Mode

Okay, but what if the radio station is as good as it can be, but it wouldn't be without you?

- know what I mean?

- just a thought...

That works- the real state and an imaginary one. Also, your other example works better.