Search results for 'tag:Promotions tag:Conditionals' matching tags 'Promotions' and 'Conditionals'

Re: TOEIC/ Conditional sentence

CalifJim — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 17:16:59 GMT

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!

TOEIC/ Conditional sentence

Lcchang — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 16:00:08 GMT

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.

Re: functionality of would and could in the present and past

Anonymous — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 05:31:01 GMT

Thank you, again.
I think I have seen Doll use this type of insertion technique to confirm the conditional nature of a sentence with the modal 'would'. Except the kind that is used for politeness, like your sentence here, would you say this is good to confirm the conditional nature of the modal 'would'? Can I do the same with what I consider to be conditional 'could'?

Your sentence with 'could' used for politness IMO:

Could you do me a favor? = Would you be able to do me a favor?
My example sentence:

I am sitting in a room and wonders what I would have to do to get the promotion >>> inserting element: (if I had to try to get the promotion).

Is this good for any sentences with present-time context that have 'would' in them?

Can I do this -- that is adding some words or phrases to validate the conditional nature -- with sentences with present-time context for 'could' too?

Your sentence:

Cheat on an exam? I could never do that! = Cheat on an exam? I would never be able to do that!

Can I insert this to confirm a conditional nature of 'would be able to'?

Cheat on an exam? I could never do that! = Cheat on an exam? I would never be able to do that >>> inserting element: (if you asked me to)!

Re: functionality of would and could in the present and past

CalifJim — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 04:00:01 GMT

Anonymous
but don't have the same level of understanding as to the use of 'could' as conditional.

That's fairly easy to explain. The conditional meaning of could includes would:

I could go to the movie if I had enough money. = I would be able to go to the movie if I had enough money.

Could you do me a favor? = Would you be able to do me a favor?

Cheat on an exam? I could never do that! = Cheat on an exam? I would never be able to do that!

_______

to wonder introduces an indirect question, so these are not if ..., (then) ... structures:

I wonder [if / whether] I [can / could / would be able to] go to see a movie.

I wonder what I [can / could / would be able to] do to get the promotion.

I wonder what I [will / would] have to do to get the promotion.

However, you can add an if-clause within the scope of the indirect question:

I wonder what I {will / would} have to do if I {want / wanted} the promotion.

I wonder what I {can / could} do if I {want / wanted} the promotion.

I wonder [if / whether] 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.)

Re: functionality of would and could in the present and past

Anonymous — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 03:23:38 GMT

Thank you.

Would you say that the second set lacks proper context for their present-time usage since for the present-time uses, 'would' and 'could' have a sense of conditional -- depending on something to make the one with 'would' and 'could' to make it a reality or make it true. Correct? I think I understand somewhat fully the modal 'would' being conditional but don't have the same level of understanding as to the use of 'could' as conditional. Can you help?

I think these reflect correct present-time use of two modals.

I am sitting in a room and am wondering if I could go to see a movie.
I am sitting in a room and wonders what I would have to do to get the promotion. -- Can I be able to input a possible if-factor into the sentence to validate the conditional nature of 'would' here like this?

I am sitting in a room and wonders what I would have to do to get the promotion (if I had to try to get the promotion).

Is this good for any sentences with present-time context that have 'would' in them?

Can I do this -- that is adding some words or phrases to validate the conditional nature -- with sentences with present-time context for 'could' too?

Re: question on grammar literature

Anonymous — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 21:43:59 GMT

Well, suppose you have the following sentence:
"Since we are now under rather intense time pressure to prepare the wine promotion, we would have to turn to another quality wine as the featured item in our promotion if the contract closing were to be delayed beyond 21 June 2006."
This is a conditional sentence. IF the contract closing is delayed beyond a certain date, THEN they will turn to another wine. What I'm trying to argue is that this sentence implies that if the contract closing is NOT delayed beyond that date, then they will NOT turn to another wine. So, that's what I was trying to say.. <img src="/emoticons/emotion-1.gif" alt="Smile [:)]" />

Would - conditional or past tense?

jack112 — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 07:31:23 GMT

"Have you ever turned down a promotion?"

No, I haven't. I've worked hard to achieve the promotions I've received and have always felt I was the right woman for the job. However, if I was ever offered a promotion for which I was sure I wasn't ready, I'd like to think I would have the courage to decline the offer at that moment but to be reconsidered if the situation arose in the future. I would not put myself in a position where I jeopardized the people working for me, or those for whom I worked, for the sake of vanity.

Is this in past tense (talking about the past) or is this a conditional? If this is a conditional, how can you tell when the 'if' part is omitted?
1. I would not put myself in a position where I jeopardized the people working for me, or those for whom I worked, for the sake of vanity.
Thanks.