If you buy.....

[MichaelLu2000]

"If you buy a pack of cigarettes from a vending machine, you have to insert your ID card to validate your age.”

"If you buy a beer in a convenience store, you have to show them your ID."

"If you buy a duty-free wine at the airport, you have to show the clerks your passport."

Are these sentences correct?

 

[jutfrank]

Yes, but you don't need to use if. Use when instead.

Remove the indefinite article in the last sentence.

 

[MichaelLu2000]

Yes, but you don't need to use if. Use when instead.

Remove the indefinite article in the last sentence.

Does using if make it outright wrong?

 

[5jj]

No.

 

[MichaelLu2000]

No.

Sorry, are you replying to the body text or the comment I left?

 

[5jj]

Does using if make it outright wrong?

No.

 

[emsr2d2]

Does using "if" make it outright wrong?

In addition to jutfrank's point, it would be more natural to remove the indefinite article from the sentence about beer too.

 

[MichaelLu2000]

No.

"If you buy a pack of cigarettes from a vending machine, you have to insert your ID card to validate your age.”

Won't it sound like you insert your ID card right after you buy the cigarettes?

 

[Kontol]

In addition to jutfrank's point, it would be more natural to remove the indefinite article from the sentence about beer too.

Hello, emsr2d2. I see your sentence use "would", could you explain how works in that sentence? I usually say "it's more natural to remove..."

 

[emsr2d2]

Hello, emsr2d2. I see your sentence use "would", could you explain how works in that sentence? I usually say "it's more natural to remove..."

I'm using it as a conditional. If you said XXX, it would be more natural than YYY.

 

[5jj]

"If you buy a pack of cigarettes from a vending machine, you have to insert your ID card to validate your age.”

Won't it sound like you insert your ID card right after you buy the cigarettes?

No.

 

[jutfrank]

Won't it sound like you insert your ID card right after you buy the cigarettes?

I think it could have a resultative reading, yes, although that's a very unlikely interpretation given the context. You can avoid this problem like this:

When buying duty-free wine ...