[Grammar] Tense

[2010]

Hello All,

I saw this question in our tense quiz. I thought the right answer would be "will be", but I find both answers to be correct.

Please tell me how "is" could be an answer here.

Q2 - If hundreds of people have to go through a small door, the funnel effect ___ inevitable.
is
will be
Either could be used here.
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[Raymott]

Hello All,

I saw this question in our tense quiz. I thought the right answer would be "will be", but I find both answers to be correct.

Please tell me how "is" could be an answer here.

Q2 - If hundreds of people have to go through a small door, the funnel effect ___ inevitable.
is
will be
Either could be used here.
Log In - UsingEnglish.com

I would pick "is" as the more correct answer.
"If A happens, B is inevitable." Or, "B becomes inevitable".
It's hypothetical, and both clauses are expressed in the present tense.
However, a clause in the present tense can be read with a future meaning, so reading the first clause with future meaning allows "will be" to be used in the second clause.

This could also be expressed in the conditional:
If hundreds of people had to go through a small door, the funnel effect would be inevitable.