By Clauses, Indirect questions

they will remember to bring the salads. / ... In the conditional patterns, the if-clause has a different (adverbial) nature, and doesn't take will If they (*will) give me a refund, I'll spend it on a new shirt. (* = ungrammatical)-- unless there is emphasis on some benefit to the...

I {can / could} buy a house like that if I {save / saved} my money for a few years.{ } indicates correlated choices. (The first choice goes with the first choice; the second choice goes with the second choice.) CJ

Only one s in present!!! You can't use will with the stative verbs in this construction: } _______Your example with make sure does not belong to the pattern above. There's no indirect question.Make sure (that) you come back soon.A make sure that pattern is not followed by a future...

Not here. No. when to clauses are indirect questions, hence, they function as noun phrases:I didn't know when to change trains.Be sure to tell him when to change trains.They don't function as adverbs:*You have to walk when to change trains.*Be sure to read the posted signs when to...

Hi, N2G,Besides in indirect questions (the examples previously given), if + will works also to indicate volition (or refusal in its negative form, "if + won't" ) or insistence, and, yes, it can be used at the beginning of a sentence. Here are the links to some other threads where...

Hi NGYou are right. Indirect questions fall in three categories.1. There is a word that can begin a clause but the word is not the subject.What did he say? - Tell me what he said.2. There isn't a word that can begin a clause. If or whether must be used.Did he come in time? - Tell me...

I know 'would' carries many meanings. My problem is sometimes I find it difficult to tell which meaning the speaker uses. I think I understand its hypothetical usage, and in some contexts, its politeness usage. Below is a post that has several woulds I have trouble interpreting. I also...

Yes, I agree that sometimes we change our minds in the middle of a sentence, but I was thinking of something like:Do you remember what the name of that woman was? (not inverted) versusDo you remember what was the name of that beautiful woman with long dark hair, green eyes and a fair complexion...

Thank you very much for your aswer, Tanit, expecially for the first list you provide. I had not included these cases:In formal/emphatic conditional sentences: "Should you need further information, please call ..."When expressing wishes starting with may: "May you find what...

Anonymous wrote:Thank you all for your replying to my stupid question. I really appreciate it. Hi Anon, In contrary, I don’t think your question is stupid. It brings up an issue that has stirred many good discussions in this forum and elsewhere. Here is an extracted text that...