Google
English-Test.net
Find penpals and make new friends today!
 
to load; to oppress; to burden; to regard; to esteem
become
distract
evade
weight
TOEIC preparation test: Free online word games: Adverb Verb Game Answer
 
Username
Password
 Remember me? 
Search   FAQ   Memberlist   Profile   Private messages   Register   Log in 

...when the adoptee would/will be 18 years old



 
ESL/EFL Worksheets and Handouts for Students Printable, photocopiable, clearly structured
Designed for teachers and individual learners
For use in a classroom, at home, on your PC
ESL Forums | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
It's unfortunate weather. | Soup That Eats Like a Meal
Message Author
...when the adoptee would/will be 18 years old Thu Jun 19, 2008 11:05 am  ...when the adoptee would/will be 18 years old
 

Hello, everybody,
In the following sentences taken from the BNC:

1. British parents have to wait for adoptees to choose to contact them and may therefore experience feelings of desperation and anticipation around the time when the adoptee would be 18 years old.

2. You may not be able to retire when it would be most convenient.

why "would" instead of "will"?
Is that because there is the modal "may" in the main clause to indicate a kind of uncertainty? But I have also found sentences like these with "WILL":
3. This is under construction, you may find interesting when it will be completed.

So, what do you think of these sentences?
Thank you advance!
wingedfish
New Member


Joined: 17 Jan 2008
Posts: 5

...when the adoptee would/will be 18 years old Thu Jun 19, 2008 11:31 am  ...when the adoptee would/will be 18 years old
 

Due to euphemism, I would think.
Haihao
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 26 Oct 2006
Posts: 1381
Location: Japan

Are you a native speaker of English? Then you should read this!English grammar exercises — improve your English knowledge and vocabulary skillsRead these English anecdotes and maybe smile today? Subscribe to free email English courseIn this story you'll learn everything about the passive voice
...when the adoptee would/will be 18 years old Thu Jun 19, 2008 15:38 pm  ...when the adoptee would/will be 18 years old
 

They're using "would" because they're talking about hypothetical situations.
Jamie (K)
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 24 Feb 2006
Posts: 4337
Location: Detroit, Michigan, USA

...when the adoptee would/will be 18 years old Thu Jun 19, 2008 21:33 pm  ...when the adoptee would/will be 18 years old
 

But why is that a hypothetical condition? It seems to me that there is no condition at all in these sentences.
wingedfish
New Member


Joined: 17 Jan 2008
Posts: 5

Display posts from previous:   
It's unfortunate weather. | Soup That Eats Like a Meal
ESL Forums | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms ...when the adoptee would/will be 18 years old All times are GMT + 2 Hours
Page 1 of 1
Latest topics on ESL EFL Forums
Correct usage of legal or law English?Defining phrasal verbs.So or such?Adjectives and Sentence begins with a verbHow do I use "wet your whistle"?Plural of it?thoughts vs thoughtCorrect usage of 'the other way round' and 'for the sake of''day by day' vs 'everyday'Pronunciation of 'de'Usage of "majority" and "minority"offering presentsmusical instruments and the use of 'the'To ask a favour.Interested candidate?Usage of "fight" and "fight with"What is e-mook/mook?watermelon vs watermelons...when the adoptee would/will be 18 years old

Discover English-test.net
What does paper chase mean?Meaning of 'turn up the sitting room clock'Capital 'S' or small 'S'?meaning of "sold out for good"Have to or must?TOEIC practice test: Vocabulary Websites: Examples of Adjectives Nouns VerbsTOEIC practice test: Online word games: Free Adjectives Nouns Verbs GameDefine outside, sympathy, contract, elevation, appliance, come acrossDefinition of archeology, record, goal, like, attend, grass, care, kill, link, satelliteDefinition of idioms: On TV tonightEnglish grammar quiz: Bank Terminology (1)

 
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Subscribe to FREE email English course written by Alan Townend
First name E-mail