Is this imperative sentence wrong: “Make sure you wouldn't use the stairs”?
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In making a list of school rules, one of my students wrote the sentence "Make sure you wouldn't use the stairs." I feel that using the imperative "Make sure" followed by the modal verb "would't" is wrong, but I don't know of any rule that explicitly states this. Can anyone provide more information on this, please?
modal-verbs subjunctive-mood imperative
asked Nov 13 at 6:16
Michael Daniel
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In making a list of school rules, one of my students wrote the sentence "Make sure you wouldn't use the stairs." I feel that using the imperative "Make sure" followed by the modal verb "would't" is wrong, but I don't know of any rule that explicitly states this. Can anyone provide more information on this, please?
modal-verbs subjunctive-mood imperative
asked Nov 13 at 6:16
Michael Daniel
61
bumped to the homepage by Community♦ 39 mins ago
This question has answers that may be good or bad; the system has marked it active so that they can be reviewed.
2
It's highly unusual, but I wouldn't say it's wrong. It seems like a simpler version of make sure there isn't a situation where you would use the stairs.
– Jason Bassford
Nov 13 at 6:27
1
1 I do not see a grammar issue here. 2 Semantically, it fails to make proper sense -- say "you do not" and be done with it. 3 Most importantly, I don't even think the poor kids would get the point, if there is any, in using a more complicated semantic or stilted phraseology.
– Kris
Nov 13 at 7:08
1
It's valid in the right context. But the above scenario does not appear to be the right context.
– Hot Licks
Nov 14 at 1:30
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In making a list of school rules, one of my students wrote the sentence "Make sure you wouldn't use the stairs." I feel that using the imperative "Make sure" followed by the modal verb "would't" is wrong, but I don't know of any rule that explicitly states this. Can anyone provide more information on this, please?
modal-verbs subjunctive-mood imperative
asked Nov 13 at 6:16
Michael Daniel
61
In making a list of school rules, one of my students wrote the sentence "Make sure you wouldn't use the stairs." I feel that using the imperative "Make sure" followed by the modal verb "would't" is wrong, but I don't know of any rule that explicitly states this. Can anyone provide more information on this, please?
modal-verbs subjunctive-mood imperative
modal-verbs subjunctive-mood imperative
asked Nov 13 at 6:16
Michael Daniel
61
asked Nov 13 at 6:16
Michael Daniel
61
asked Nov 13 at 6:16
Michael Daniel
61
asked Nov 13 at 6:16
Michael Daniel
61
asked Nov 13 at 6:16
Michael Daniel
61
61
bumped to the homepage by Community♦ 39 mins ago
This question has answers that may be good or bad; the system has marked it active so that they can be reviewed.
bumped to the homepage by Community♦ 39 mins ago
This question has answers that may be good or bad; the system has marked it active so that they can be reviewed.
2
It's highly unusual, but I wouldn't say it's wrong. It seems like a simpler version of make sure there isn't a situation where you would use the stairs.
– Jason Bassford
Nov 13 at 6:27
1
1 I do not see a grammar issue here. 2 Semantically, it fails to make proper sense -- say "you do not" and be done with it. 3 Most importantly, I don't even think the poor kids would get the point, if there is any, in using a more complicated semantic or stilted phraseology.
– Kris
Nov 13 at 7:08
1
It's valid in the right context. But the above scenario does not appear to be the right context.
– Hot Licks
Nov 14 at 1:30
add a comment |
2
It's highly unusual, but I wouldn't say it's wrong. It seems like a simpler version of make sure there isn't a situation where you would use the stairs.
– Jason Bassford
Nov 13 at 6:27
1
1 I do not see a grammar issue here. 2 Semantically, it fails to make proper sense -- say "you do not" and be done with it. 3 Most importantly, I don't even think the poor kids would get the point, if there is any, in using a more complicated semantic or stilted phraseology.
– Kris
Nov 13 at 7:08
1
It's valid in the right context. But the above scenario does not appear to be the right context.
– Hot Licks
Nov 14 at 1:30
2
2
It's highly unusual, but I wouldn't say it's wrong. It seems like a simpler version of make sure there isn't a situation where you would use the stairs.
– Jason Bassford
Nov 13 at 6:27
It's highly unusual, but I wouldn't say it's wrong. It seems like a simpler version of make sure there isn't a situation where you would use the stairs.
– Jason Bassford
Nov 13 at 6:27
1
1
1 I do not see a grammar issue here. 2 Semantically, it fails to make proper sense -- say "you do not" and be done with it. 3 Most importantly, I don't even think the poor kids would get the point, if there is any, in using a more complicated semantic or stilted phraseology.
– Kris
Nov 13 at 7:08
1 I do not see a grammar issue here. 2 Semantically, it fails to make proper sense -- say "you do not" and be done with it. 3 Most importantly, I don't even think the poor kids would get the point, if there is any, in using a more complicated semantic or stilted phraseology.
– Kris
Nov 13 at 7:08
1
1
It's valid in the right context. But the above scenario does not appear to be the right context.
– Hot Licks
Nov 14 at 1:30
It's valid in the right context. But the above scenario does not appear to be the right context.
– Hot Licks
Nov 14 at 1:30
add a comment |
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Would, like ‘will’ is a devilish little word. Take the following examples.
- When I was young, after school, I would go up to the heath with my friends to play football.
- I warned you not to go near the electric fence, but you would just do it, wouldn’t you?
- I wouldn’t go there if I were you.
These are all slightly different.
The reason is the association of would with will. Sentence 3 is the true modal use in a the context of a remote conditional, referring to the future. It is tempting to interpret the “wouldn’t” of the question in this way, as an apodosis with the protasis left to be understood. But there is at least one alternative (not among my three examples!).
In sentence 1, wouldis functioning as a habitual past: “... I used to go ...”.
In sentence2, the “would is a past of determination. My use of bold reflects the fact that it only comes across when spoken with special emphasis on the word ‘would’.
But I suggest that the word ‘would’ is out of place in the context of the question. There is a perfectly good admonitory imperative, introduced by make sure or mind. But it goes
Mind/make sure you don’t go near the electric fence.
What is the construction? Well, the context is modal, but the verb just is a simple present, as far as I can see.
answered Nov 13 at 8:57
Tuffy
3,1771617
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You're right that the use of would is wrong. This site gives you examples of how make sure is properly used.
Make sure of + noun: Make sure of your facts before proceeding.
Make sure (that)/to + verb: Make sure (that) you collect your facts before proceeding. / Make sure to collect your facts before proceeding.
answered Nov 14 at 1:03
Wordster
818215
add a comment |
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2 Answers
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Would, like ‘will’ is a devilish little word. Take the following examples.
- When I was young, after school, I would go up to the heath with my friends to play football.
- I warned you not to go near the electric fence, but you would just do it, wouldn’t you?
- I wouldn’t go there if I were you.
These are all slightly different.
The reason is the association of would with will. Sentence 3 is the true modal use in a the context of a remote conditional, referring to the future. It is tempting to interpret the “wouldn’t” of the question in this way, as an apodosis with the protasis left to be understood. But there is at least one alternative (not among my three examples!).
In sentence 1, wouldis functioning as a habitual past: “... I used to go ...”.
In sentence2, the “would is a past of determination. My use of bold reflects the fact that it only comes across when spoken with special emphasis on the word ‘would’.
But I suggest that the word ‘would’ is out of place in the context of the question. There is a perfectly good admonitory imperative, introduced by make sure or mind. But it goes
Mind/make sure you don’t go near the electric fence.
What is the construction? Well, the context is modal, but the verb just is a simple present, as far as I can see.
answered Nov 13 at 8:57
Tuffy
3,1771617
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
Would, like ‘will’ is a devilish little word. Take the following examples.
- When I was young, after school, I would go up to the heath with my friends to play football.
- I warned you not to go near the electric fence, but you would just do it, wouldn’t you?
- I wouldn’t go there if I were you.
These are all slightly different.
The reason is the association of would with will. Sentence 3 is the true modal use in a the context of a remote conditional, referring to the future. It is tempting to interpret the “wouldn’t” of the question in this way, as an apodosis with the protasis left to be understood. But there is at least one alternative (not among my three examples!).
In sentence 1, wouldis functioning as a habitual past: “... I used to go ...”.
In sentence2, the “would is a past of determination. My use of bold reflects the fact that it only comes across when spoken with special emphasis on the word ‘would’.
But I suggest that the word ‘would’ is out of place in the context of the question. There is a perfectly good admonitory imperative, introduced by make sure or mind. But it goes
Mind/make sure you don’t go near the electric fence.
What is the construction? Well, the context is modal, but the verb just is a simple present, as far as I can see.
answered Nov 13 at 8:57
Tuffy
3,1771617
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
Would, like ‘will’ is a devilish little word. Take the following examples.
- When I was young, after school, I would go up to the heath with my friends to play football.
- I warned you not to go near the electric fence, but you would just do it, wouldn’t you?
- I wouldn’t go there if I were you.
These are all slightly different.
The reason is the association of would with will. Sentence 3 is the true modal use in a the context of a remote conditional, referring to the future. It is tempting to interpret the “wouldn’t” of the question in this way, as an apodosis with the protasis left to be understood. But there is at least one alternative (not among my three examples!).
In sentence 1, wouldis functioning as a habitual past: “... I used to go ...”.
In sentence2, the “would is a past of determination. My use of bold reflects the fact that it only comes across when spoken with special emphasis on the word ‘would’.
But I suggest that the word ‘would’ is out of place in the context of the question. There is a perfectly good admonitory imperative, introduced by make sure or mind. But it goes
Mind/make sure you don’t go near the electric fence.
What is the construction? Well, the context is modal, but the verb just is a simple present, as far as I can see.
answered Nov 13 at 8:57
Tuffy
3,1771617
Would, like ‘will’ is a devilish little word. Take the following examples.
- When I was young, after school, I would go up to the heath with my friends to play football.
- I warned you not to go near the electric fence, but you would just do it, wouldn’t you?
- I wouldn’t go there if I were you.
These are all slightly different.
The reason is the association of would with will. Sentence 3 is the true modal use in a the context of a remote conditional, referring to the future. It is tempting to interpret the “wouldn’t” of the question in this way, as an apodosis with the protasis left to be understood. But there is at least one alternative (not among my three examples!).
In sentence 1, wouldis functioning as a habitual past: “... I used to go ...”.
In sentence2, the “would is a past of determination. My use of bold reflects the fact that it only comes across when spoken with special emphasis on the word ‘would’.
But I suggest that the word ‘would’ is out of place in the context of the question. There is a perfectly good admonitory imperative, introduced by make sure or mind. But it goes
Mind/make sure you don’t go near the electric fence.
What is the construction? Well, the context is modal, but the verb just is a simple present, as far as I can see.
answered Nov 13 at 8:57
Tuffy
3,1771617
edited Nov 13 at 9:38
answered Nov 13 at 8:57
Tuffy
3,1771617
answered Nov 13 at 8:57
Tuffy
3,1771617
answered Nov 13 at 8:57
Tuffy
3,1771617
3,1771617
add a comment |
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
You're right that the use of would is wrong. This site gives you examples of how make sure is properly used.
Make sure of + noun: Make sure of your facts before proceeding.
Make sure (that)/to + verb: Make sure (that) you collect your facts before proceeding. / Make sure to collect your facts before proceeding.
answered Nov 14 at 1:03
Wordster
818215
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
You're right that the use of would is wrong. This site gives you examples of how make sure is properly used.
Make sure of + noun: Make sure of your facts before proceeding.
Make sure (that)/to + verb: Make sure (that) you collect your facts before proceeding. / Make sure to collect your facts before proceeding.
answered Nov 14 at 1:03
Wordster
818215
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
You're right that the use of would is wrong. This site gives you examples of how make sure is properly used.
Make sure of + noun: Make sure of your facts before proceeding.
Make sure (that)/to + verb: Make sure (that) you collect your facts before proceeding. / Make sure to collect your facts before proceeding.
answered Nov 14 at 1:03
Wordster
818215
You're right that the use of would is wrong. This site gives you examples of how make sure is properly used.
Make sure of + noun: Make sure of your facts before proceeding.
Make sure (that)/to + verb: Make sure (that) you collect your facts before proceeding. / Make sure to collect your facts before proceeding.
answered Nov 14 at 1:03
Wordster
818215
answered Nov 14 at 1:03
Wordster
818215
answered Nov 14 at 1:03
Wordster
818215
answered Nov 14 at 1:03
Wordster
818215
818215
add a comment |
add a comment |
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2
It's highly unusual, but I wouldn't say it's wrong. It seems like a simpler version of make sure there isn't a situation where you would use the stairs.
– Jason Bassford
Nov 13 at 6:27
1
1 I do not see a grammar issue here. 2 Semantically, it fails to make proper sense -- say "you do not" and be done with it. 3 Most importantly, I don't even think the poor kids would get the point, if there is any, in using a more complicated semantic or stilted phraseology.
– Kris
Nov 13 at 7:08
1
It's valid in the right context. But the above scenario does not appear to be the right context.
– Hot Licks
Nov 14 at 1:30