conditional

[polokoza]

Could anyone check up these two sentences from a research paper for me, please? Especially the conditional in the second sentence, I am not sure about grammar here. Thanks a lot!

[FONT=&quot]Currently, comparison of kinetic parameters and sensitivity of APM to different factors between bulk and rhizosphere soils presents a knowledge gap in understanding the phosphorus transformation in soils and its regulation. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]If there are significant differences found to exist between rhizosphere and bulk soil, root density of terrestrial ecosystems might be the key factor to affect the response of the process of soil organic phosphorus mineralization to environmental factors. [/FONT]

 

[5jj]

Could anyone check up these two sentences from a research paper for me, please? Especially the conditional in the second sentence, I am not sure about grammar here. Thanks a lot!
[FONT=&quot]
[/FONT][FONT=&quot]If there are significant differences found to exist between rhizosphere and bulk soil, root density of terrestrial ecosystems might be the key factor to affect the response of the process of soil organic phosphorus mineralization to environmental factors. [/FONT]

I don't understand it, but it almost certainly makes good sense to those who know what rhizosphere soils and APM are.

The conditional sentence is fine, given that for many native speakers may and might are virtually synonyms. I have underlined the core part of the conditional.

 

[Richard1]

Hello,

I'd use 'present' in the first sentence.

2nd sentence.

If significant differences between between rhizosphere and bulk soil are found to exist , root density of terrestrial ecosystems might be the key factor to affect the response of the process of soil organic phosphorus mineralization to environmental factors.

Regards

 

[5jj]

I'd use 'present' in the first sentence. comparison....presents

2nd sentence. If significant differences between between rhizosphere and bulk soil are found to exist.... A definite improvement.

5

 

[Richard1]

5

Hi,

Just as a matter of interest, why 'presents'?

Surely two (plural) factors require 'present' not 'presents'. i.e. 'They present' not 'they presents'.

 

[5jj]

[FONT=&quot]comparison (of kinetic parameters and sensitivity of APM to different factors between bulk and rhizosphere soils) presents a knowledge gap

That's my reading of it. It's the comparison, not the factors, that presents.
[/FONT]

 

[Richard1]

That's my reading of it. It's the comparison, not the factors, that presents.

Good point! That had completely passed me by.

Cheers.

 

[5jj]

Good point! That had completely passed me by.

It's not a serious point. I just happened to be wearing my pedant's hat when I read that sentence.