Conditional if clause exceptions

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lycen

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It is said that in the conditional "if" clause, future tense cannot be used i.e. "will + verb".

However, are there exceptions? For instance when the action in the if clause takes place after that in the main clause:

(The weather forecast says it's going to rain.) Well, if it will rain, we must take our umbrellas.

Thank you.
 
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bhaisahab

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It is said that in the conditional "if" clause, future tense cannot be used i.e. "will + verb".

However, are there exceptions? For instance when the action in the if clause takes place after that in the main clause:

(The weather forecast says it's going to rain.) Well, if it will rain, we must take our umbrellas.

Thank you.
No, you have to say: "...if it rains...", "...if it does rain..." or "...if it's going to rain..."
 

lycen

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What about "If you will excuse me, I have things to do"

Is this an exception? Is this "if" a conditional "if"?
 

corum

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What about "If you will excuse me, I have things to do"

Is this an exception? Is this "if" a conditional "if"?

Good point. :up: In this sentence, the modal "will" is not a future marker, but a word expressing intent, will(ingness).

If you are willing to excuse me, ...

The illocutionary force of this sentence is a polite request that is disguised in a conditional sentence. The speaker seeks to maintain a kind of "polite fiction" that his doing his duties is conditional on the hearer's willingness to forgive.
 

Tdol

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There are exceptions- you'll find examples where there is will in both parts:
If you will do it for me now, I will do it tomorrow.
Here, the speaker is trying to persuade the listener to do something.
 
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