[etni] 'IF ' sentence
- From: Barry Silverberg <barisil@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: etni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Tue, 07 Jun 2011 12:30:25 +0200
One of my ninth graders found this in a Penguin (?) reader; Sherlock Holmes or
somthng:
I can die happy if you will take care of them after I pass on.
Why, he asks, is the IF clause not in present simple.
I am still in shock, as most of the ninth grade class spends its class time by
taking turns passing gas and running to the window.
That someone was actually listening and capable of such analysis while he reads
is incredible.
I dimly remember issues like this arising 20 years ago when we taught grammar.
What is the answer? Is the clause with the 'will' a request? Or is it a
mistake in the book?
I suggested both of these but am happy with neither.
It sounds correct.
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