Grammar Discussions

[get me outta here]

I would probably not say, "then" in these sentences, unless it was perhaps a more formal setting, or when speaking to someone who's first language is not English and I'm trying to be particularly easily understood. So, I'd say 'optional'.

PS, it IS pouring here in GUM due to a nearby typhoon.

If it rains tomorrow, we won't go to the movies.

If it rains tomorrow, then we won't go to the movies.


If Charlie doesn't leave the house now, he will miss the last train.

If Charlie doesn't leave the house now, then he will miss the last train.


What is the general consensus on the use of 'then' in the kinds of sentences above?

• Strictly required.
• Only pedantry; the other is quite acceptable.
• Optional.
• Redundant.

Of course, the sentences could also be rewritten to not use 'then' and never require it.

 

[JessicaTam]

If it rains tomorrow, we won't go to the movies.

If it rains tomorrow, then we won't go to the movies.


If Charlie doesn't leave the house now, he will miss the last train.

If Charlie doesn't leave the house now, then he will miss the last train.


What is the general consensus on the use of 'then' in the kinds of sentences above?

• Strictly required.
• Only pedantry; the other is quite acceptable.
• Optional.
• Redundant.

Of course, the sentences could also be rewritten to not use 'then' and never require it.

I also believe it is optional. [-]But I can't put my finger on the rule why, which is frustrating for other reasons![/-]

Edit: As a conditional statement starts with 'if', the 'then' can be omitted as it can easily be implied.

 

[Warks]

Spot this one:

 

[get me outta here]

Ha, I don't think there are people willingly boarding there right now.

It reminds me of the problem some have w' course and coarse.

 

[Julesmac]

Should it not be "Turkish & Syrian Border" or "Border of Turkey and Syria". Or boarder if you prefer

 

[get me outta here]

Yes, that too.

Should it not be "Turkish & Syrian Border" or "Border of Turkey and Syria". Or boarder if you prefer

 

[SeatBackForward]

"It may or may not happen"

Way to double the length of the sentence unnecessarily

 

[Deleted member]

If there is just one improvement in grammar (on this site), I should like it to be the regular, and correct use of the comma.

 

[ALH]

You may want to add a word and clean up your spacing a bit GPH.

 

[ALH]

Well done

 

[anat0l]

"It may or may not happen"

Way to double the length of the sentence unnecessarily

I think it has become habitual (albeit strictly unnecessary, as you point out) to express it as such to "emphasise" the negative possibility. For some reason, when you say to someone that something may occur, there is a tendency to assume that it infers a positive (but not certain) connotation.

 

[SeatBackForward]

I think it has become habitual (albeit strictly unnecessary, as you point out) to express it as such to "emphasise" the negative possibility. For some reason, when you say to someone that something may occur, there is a tendency to assume that it infers a positive (but not certain) connotation.

Which makes the following interesting:
"Will he or wont he?"
"Yes, he wont"

 

[Deleted member 29185]

"Yes, he wont"

I may (or may not ) be showing my age, but that sounds like a comment Greenbottle would make!

 

[JohnK]

"It may or may not happen"

Way to double the length of the sentence unnecessarily

It may not happen but there is a chance it may happen?

 

[SeatBackForward]

It may not happen but there is a chance it may happen?

May implies the conditional statement, Chance only increases the redundancy.

 

[JessicaTam]

I may (or may not ) be showing my age, but that sounds like a comment Greenbottle would make!

But what a golden age it was.

 

[TheRealTMA]

May implies the conditional statement, Chance only increases the redundancy.

More subjunctive than conditional.

 

[Deleted member]

'Nuff said !

 

[Deleted member 29185]

But what a golden age it was.

I can't comment say about the age (1930's give or take???...and I'm not that old), but the "Yes, What" radio plays would have to be the funniest radio plays I've ever heard. Sheer magic and fits right in with this thread "Grammar Discussions"!

 

[ozbeachbabe]

One of my pet peeves is when people want to say either particularly or specifically but instead say pacifically. Aŕrrggghhh.

A former colleague often spoke of an airline she called "Aerolingus". Not sure whether she meant Aerolineas Argentinas or Aer Lingus.

Another one was PA's advising AN ff nbrs for their boss "his/her Golden Wings number is..." (it's Wing not Wings).