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Poll: I ____ tell her if I see her.
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I ____ tell her if I see her.

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  #1 (permalink)  
Old 03-Dec-2007, 04:50
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Default Future

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  #2 (permalink)  
Old 08-Dec-2007, 16:55
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Default Re: Future

I chose either could be used.
I think that the answer depends on the speaker`s intention. There`s a slight semantical difference between the two future forms:

I will tell her if I see her. - will expresses determination
I am going to tell her if I see her - be going to expresses intention or planned action.
I am not sure if my choice is right, though.

Thank you.
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Old 09-Dec-2007, 15:01
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Default Re: Future

Although I've chosen 'am going to', I think both are correct.
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Old 10-Dec-2007, 17:24
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Default Re: Future

For me it looks like 1st conditional, so I chose 'will.' But still I agree with Teia ;)
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Old 10-Dec-2007, 17:53
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Default Re: Future

Well, as far as I remember we can not use will when if has been used. I never do it, anyway.

I voted for the second option: I am going......
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Old 11-Dec-2007, 14:43
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Default Re: Future

Quote:
Originally Posted by goingtocalifornia View Post
Well, as far as I remember we can not use will when if has been used. I never do it, anyway.

I voted for the second option: I am going......
You're not quite right..
http://www.usingenglish.com/glossary...nditional.html
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Old 11-Dec-2007, 17:46
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Default Re: Future

Quote:
Originally Posted by goingtocalifornia View Post
Well, as far as I remember we can not use will when if has been used. I never do it, anyway.

I voted for the second option: I am going......
Will cannot be used in an if clause, type I, but it can be used in the main clause :

I will go there if she asks me:

I will go there - main clause

if she asks me - if clause
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Old 11-Dec-2007, 19:57
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Default Re: Future

Will I be very annoying, if I ask for more, please?
where to use, and where not to use will and if?
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Old 20-Dec-2007, 15:13
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Default Re: Future

Actually, will is possible in an 'if'-clause in the following cases:

-In conditional clauses, when it means wish, not mind, insist on: Sit here if you will. - I'll do the dishes if you will do the cleaning. - If she will (will emphasized) eat so much, it's no wonder she can't get rid of all those extra pounds. But it would be wrong to say, for example: I'll stay at home if it will rain.

-In reported questions: He wants to know if you will be here tomorrow. - I don't know if they'll believe you. Whether could also be used here instead of if.

The same is more or less true with would in 2nd conditionals, as well as in reported questions in the past.
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Old 20-Dec-2007, 15:37
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Default Re: Future

Quote:
Originally Posted by aggelos View Post
Actually, will is possible in an 'if'-clause in the following cases:

-In conditional clauses, when it means wish, not mind, insist on: Sit here if you will. - I'll do the dishes if you will do the cleaning. - If she will (will emphasized) eat so much, it's no wonder she can't get rid of all those extra pounds. But it would be wrong to say, for example: I'll stay at home if it will rain.

-In reported questions: He wants to know if you will be here tomorrow. incorrect
- I don't know if they'll believe you
. -incorrect
Whether could also be used here instead of if.

The same is more or less true with would in 2nd conditionals, as well as in reported questions in the past.
Hi !

I agree with you when you say that we can use will when it means wish, but I have to say that it is wrong to use this future morpheme [ will ] in conditional clauses, whether used in reported speech or not:

He wants to know if you are here tomorrow / if you are going to be here tomorrow - correct . The use of will is incorrect in this context.

Although we usually don't use will in time and conditionals, we sometimes do use will.... For example, we can use will in a time clause or a conditional clause to talk about willingness (that someone wants to do something). This isn't very common, but sometimes it is used.[ we don`t use it especially if we want to take an FCE exam or some others of the kind].
If you'll hand me that chicken, I'll cook it for you. (If you are willing to hand me that chicken, I will cook it.)
I won't go to the dance with you unless you'll wear this mask! (Unless you agree / are willing to wear this mask, I won't go to the dance with you!)

source:A Tense Discussion: The Future Simple

Last edited by Teia : 20-Dec-2007 at 15:49.
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