[Grammar] I think it is/would be/will be clearer to say ...

[kadioguy]

I think it is clearer to say "Another function is to form, from adjectives, nouns ...."

a. I think it is clearer to say ...
b. I think it would be clearer to say ...
c. I think it will be clearer to say ...

For me, both 'will' and 'would' express the conditional nature - the former with more certainty, whereas the latter with less certainty. Another point is that the former expresses an opinion in a direct mood, whereas the latter, in a indirect mood (i.e. more polite).

So I don't know why 'would' works while 'will' doesn't work.

I take it to mean:

b. I think it would be clearer to say ...
= I think it would be clearer if you said ..

c. I think it will be clearer to say ...
=I think it will be clearer if you say ...

What do you think?

PS - jutfrank told me that's not right. Could someone tell me more about it?

 

[Matthew Wai]

So I don't know why 'would' works while 'will' doesn't work.

I found the following definition:
would modal verb (OPINION)
used to express an opinion in a polite way without being forceful

Source: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/would

Your sentence is intended to express an opinion, so "would" should be used.

 

[jutfrank]

I found the following definition:
would modal verb (OPINION)
used to express an opinion in a polite way without being forceful

Source: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/would

Your sentence is intended to express an opinion, so "would" should be used.

No, it's not an opinion. In the Cambridge entry, the use here is listed as would modal verb (POSSIBILITY).

Kadioguy, what you're saying (wrongly) is that your version with commas is a clearer, possible alternative to the original. In other words, you're proposing a possibility. You need would to do that. You can't use will for that.