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Should be WHEN instead of IF: "Mind your head if bending"



 
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Should be WHEN instead of IF: "Mind your head if bending" #1 (permalink) Tue Jan 16, 2007 16:55 pm   Should be WHEN instead of IF: "Mind your head if bending"		  
Hi,
I'd like to know about one particular example of using if/when.
I read this notice on the wall. I know it wasn't written by a native English speaker, therefore my doubts.


Mind your head if bending.

In my modest opinion there should be WHEN instead of IF.
Am I right?
I like this web-page a lot. Keep it up!!!
thx mejcej
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Should be WHEN instead of IF: "Mind your head if bending" #2 (permalink) Tue Jan 16, 2007 18:09 pm   Should be WHEN instead of IF: "Mind your head if bending"		  
It could in all honesty be either. It depends on the context and also where this notice is.

A
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Should be WHEN instead of IF: "Mind your head if bending" #3 (permalink) Wed Jan 17, 2007 0:02 am   Should be WHEN instead of IF: "Mind your head if bending"		  
Hi mejcej

To me the use of 'when' would make a stronger assumption that people will have to bend for some reason where the sign is posted. Using 'if' sounds as though it is assumed that only some people will have to bend.

Amy
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Should be WHEN instead of IF: "Mind your head if bending" #4 (permalink) Wed Jan 17, 2007 15:26 pm   Should be WHEN instead of IF: "Mind your head if bending"		  
Yankee wrote:
Hi mejcej

To me the use of 'when' would make a stronger assumption that people will have to bend for some reason where the sign is posted. Using 'if' sounds as though it is assumed that only some people will have to bend.

Amy

Interesting explanation. If not this explanation, I would never notice any difference between these two sentences. Well done!
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