USE OF "IF" and "WOULD" - Confused

Question

Most of us might have seen this in the OG(126). OA here is D- OE states that use of conditional "would" is incorrect.

A wildlife expert predicts that the reintroduction of the caribou into northern Minnesota  would fail if the density of the timber wolf population in that region is more numerous than one wolf for every 39 square miles .

A) would fail if the density of the timber wolf population in that region is more numerous than
B) would fail provided the density of the timber wolf population in that rgion is more than
C) should fail if the timber wolf density in that region was greater than
D) will fail if the density of the timber wolf population in that region is greater than
E) will fail if the timber wolf density in that region were more numerous than

Now to the 2nd question from one of our verbal sets

In a press release, a local representative of the US Postal Service responded to criticism over the removal of street corner postal drop boxes, claiming that if  more people are actually using the drop boxes for their mail, they will be better able to “pay their keep.”

* more people are actually using the drop boxes for their mail, they will
 * the drop boxes were actually used by any more people for their mail, they will
 * the more people who are actually using the drop boxes for their mail will make them
 * the drop boxes are put to better use when more people actually use them for their mail, they will
 * more people actually used the drop boxes for their mail, they would

In this case, OA is E

Also I remember reading some posts that mentioned that use of "IF" and "WOULD" in the same sentence is incorrect. I'm confused.

I'm sure I'm missing something here. SC Gurus????

icandy · Answer

If clause in present tense, then clause in the form of "will + base verb"

If clause in past tense, then clause in the form of " Would/Could + base verb "

If clause in past perfect tense, then clause in the form of "Would/Could + have + past participle "

In 1st Q, look at the tense if clause.   "is"  signifies present tense. needs will + base verb

In the 2nd Q  actually used  shows past tense, needs "Would/Could + base verb"

Also I remember reading some posts that mentioned that use of "IF" and "WOULD" in the same sentence is incorrect. I'm confused .

Let me try. If clause will never have would in it. the conditional clause can have would, just like in the 2nd Q. The same sentence can have would, but only in the conditional clause

Does it help?

aaron22197 · Answer

Thanks icandy. I appreciate your explanation +1.

why is A incorrect in Q2 ?

In a press release, a local representative of the US Postal Service responded to criticism over the removal of street corner postal drop boxes, claiming that if more people are actually using the drop boxes for their mail, they will be better able to “pay their keep.”

* more people are actually using the drop boxes for their mail, they will
* the drop boxes were actually used by any more people for their mail, they will
* the more people who are actually using the drop boxes for their mail will make them
* the drop boxes are put to better use when more people actually use them for their mail, they will
* more people actually used the drop boxes for their mail, they would

abhijit_sen · Answer

iCandy has explained it, for more infomration refer to Manhattan SC Guide chapter 3 (Verb Tense, Mood, and Voice Strategy). You can find a whole section on If-Then construction.

icandy · Answer

If you look at the first part of the sentence in Q 2, it tells us that the Street Corner PO boxes have already been removed and the rep is repsonding to criticism. Now the rep can only talk about in the past tense. The people simply cant use them because the boxes are gone.

abhijit_sen · Answer

This question talk about past action. Ununderlined portion is in past tense, there is no need to switch tense until there is compelling reason for it. Thereby E wins over A.

FN · Answer

aaron: the use of would vs will is actually quite simple..

when you make a prediction..ie you are betting your house on it..I bet YOU WILL score high on GMAT..
so prediction= some degree of confidence and thus use WILL

now..in a classic IF THEN structure if the structure is subjunctive..i.e expressing a desired outcome..would is used..

if I study every day, i would score high..

I predict that you will score HIGH cause you are SMART.

aaron22197 · Answer

appreciate everyone's 2 cents

CheriInfinite · Answer

Thanks icandy..nice exp..

kissthegmat · Answer

"If" sentences can have "would" and "could" but never use "should" with "if".

anhnguyen990 · Answer

good input everyone and good topic.

sap · Answer

Also note that,

A wildlife expert PREDICTS ..

and not

A wildlife expert PREDICTED ..

In you example,

The local representative RESPONDED ..

had it been responds .. then you could have used WILL.

kuchy · Answer

The correct answer is actually "D" Since we are using the present, we will use "WILL" and eliminate all other possible answer choices. Another element that we need to focus on is the rest of the sentence. Choice "E" includes" were" and is somewhat less preferably structured that answer choice "D" , which provides "WILL" and "is greater" as oppose to "was greater".

Hope this helps to clarify!

ag153 · Answer

By conditional clause, do you mean the ‘then’ clause?

If not, what is conditional clause?

Posted from my mobile device

VerbalBot · Answer

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USE OF "IF" and "WOULD" - Confused

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