TOEIC/ Conditional sentence

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Lcchang

#535218 Tue, 01 Jul 08 05:00 PM

The boss will offer Gordon a substantial promotion if he __ to be more tactful during business meetings.
(A) will learn
(B) had learned
(C) should learn
(D) were learning

I chose (C), but the answer key is (A). How come? Please advise.

Lcchang

Joined on Mon, Feb 27 2006

Northern Taiwan

Regular Member (998)

Life will never end.

Promotions, Conditionals

Clive

#535242 Tue, 01 Jul 08 05:15 PM

Hi,
A and C are both correct, but A is much more common. C sounds very formal and old-fashioned.
Even D is not totally wrong, although not very likely.

By far the commonest of all is simply 'learns'. (. . . if he learns . . .)
Clive

Clive

Joined on Thu, Oct 28 2004

Canada

Veteran Member (20,467)

El tango argentino es un pensamiento triste que se puede bailar (The tango argentino is a sad thought which can be danced) Enrique Santos Discépolo

Conditionals

CalifJim

#535277 Tue, 01 Jul 08 06:16 PM

The general rule is that neither will nor would can occur in the if-clause of a conditional structure.

One exception is what I call "bargaining" will. Here there is an exchange of favors: The boss will offer the promotion; Gordon will be more tactful.

Sometimes "bargaining" will can be paraphrased as "consent (in return) to".

I will buy you a beer if you [will / consent (in return) to] stop criticizing me!