'will' vs 'would'

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Tan Elaine

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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.
 

bhaisahab

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It has come to our attention that some residents have been feeding pigeons on 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.
I'd use "will" in the first part and "would" in the second.
 

ysc1230

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I'd use "will" in the first part and "would" in the second.


Hi teachers,

:shock: I would use "would" for 1 and 2.

But I don't know why I would use "would".


Can you tell me why you use will for 1, and would for 2?

Thank you very much.
 

emka

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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).
 
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5jj

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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.
 

Tan Elaine

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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.
 

5jj

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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.
bhaisahab and I did not say either word 'should be used'. bhai said what he would say, and I said how I read it. Some people, like emka, read it in a different way. 'Will' is possible in the sentence you quoted.
 

Tan Elaine

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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.
 
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