for no ads

the following sentence consists of two clauses. ''Only if you approve...''?

8 replies
:
Only if you approve the shipping charges we will ask for your credit card details.

1st clause = Only if you approve the shipping charges

2nd clause = we will ask for your credit card details

The above sentence consists of two clauses. Am I right?
Veteran Member5,294
Trusted Users: Trusted users are allowed to use additional capabilities of the site such as private messaging to all users and various other advanced features. You cannot join this role unless you are promoted by an administrator.
:
The order should be switched or you should switch we and will.

Only if you approve the shipping charges will we ask for your credit card details.

We will ask for your credit card details only if you approve the shipping charges.
Full Member336
:
WwwdotcomThe order should be switched or you should switch we and will.

Only if you approve the shipping charges will we ask for your credit card details.

We will ask for your credit card details only if you approve the shipping charges.
But are there two clauses in that sentence? Would you like to explain that why should the order be changed?
Trusted Users: Trusted users are allowed to use additional capabilities of the site such as private messaging to all users and various other advanced features. You cannot join this role unless you are promoted by an administrator.
:
Please clarify. Why should the order of what be changed? I made a couple switches. Please point out the ones you want clarification on.
:
The above sentence consists of two clauses. Am I right?
Yes, you are right.

On an unrelated issue, your sentence begins with only. That means the we will in the second clause should be will we.

CJ
Veteran Member45,940
Moderator: A super-user who takes care of the forums. You have the ability to message a moderator privately should you wish. These users have a range of elevated privileges including the deletion, editing and movement of posts when needed.Proficient Speaker: Users in this role are known to maintain an excellent grasp of the English language. You can only be promoted to this role by the Englishforums team.
:


CalifJim wrote:

On an unrelated issue, your sentence begins with only. That means the we will in the second clause should be will we.

Though I have another thread related to this problem, let's give it a try here. Why should the we will be changed to will we in the second clause, if sentence is starting with only? Is there some special reason?
Trusted Users: Trusted users are allowed to use additional capabilities of the site such as private messaging to all users and various other advanced features. You cannot join this role unless you are promoted by an administrator.
:
Why should the we will be changed to will we in the second clause, if sentence is starting with only? Is there some special reason?
Yes. The reason is that it is a rule of English grammar.

Only with great care should you attempt this procedure. (not you should)
You should attempt this procedure only with great care. (you should, because only occurs later in the sentence.)

Only by talking to all people involved can we understand what has happened. (not we can)
We can understand what has happened only by talking to all people involved. (we can, because only occurs later in the sentence.)

CJ
Moderator: A super-user who takes care of the forums. You have the ability to message a moderator privately should you wish. These users have a range of elevated privileges including the deletion, editing and movement of posts when needed.Proficient Speaker: Users in this role are known to maintain an excellent grasp of the English language. You can only be promoted to this role by the Englishforums team.
:
Hi CalifJim,

The way you explain things is very helpful to people like me. Thank you.



Only if you approve the shipping charges will we ask for your credit card details.

Is this true that in the above sentence:

main clause = will we ask for your credit card details

and

subordinate clause = Only if you approve the shipping charges?
Trusted Users: Trusted users are allowed to use additional capabilities of the site such as private messaging to all users and various other advanced features. You cannot join this role unless you are promoted by an administrator.
:
Yes, your analysis of main clause and subordinate clause is correct.

CJ
Moderator: A super-user who takes care of the forums. You have the ability to message a moderator privately should you wish. These users have a range of elevated privileges including the deletion, editing and movement of posts when needed.Proficient Speaker: Users in this role are known to maintain an excellent grasp of the English language. You can only be promoted to this role by the Englishforums team.
Interesting stuff
Live chat
Registered users can join here

Related forum topics:

Either (only for two things?)?Two Conditional Clauses In A Sentence?The usage of ONLY?Only if / if only?Why there's only two of you?Adjectival Clauses?Clauses?two dependent clauses in the same sentence?The position of only?Reduction in relative clauses?This small clip consists of different pictures...main clauses vs subordinate clauses?Two Qestions about clauses?Clauses in this sentence?Relative clauses in this sentence?Commas with "If" Clauses?Two "if" clauses in one sentence: Is it possible?The position of "only" in a sentence?

Places to start

 

Community Sites

Browse Englishforums


Help