If you are not/don't be with somebody (_) your own age, you will regret it later.

[siCantikManis]

Hi,

Please take a look at these two sentences.

1. If you are not with somebody (who is) your own age, you will regret it later.

2. If you don't be with somebody (who is) your own age, you will regret it later.

I am pretty sure #1 is okay, but what about #2? Also, can I drop "who is" in the sentence?

Many thanks,
Cantik
_________________
Thou shalt not use yours to make the whole world jealous.

[Jamie (K)]

#2 is ungrammatical. "Don't be" wouldn't be possible in that kind of conditional sentence.

Yes, you can drop "who is".

[siCantikManis]

What if it is spoken?

[Jamie (K)]

#2 would only be grammatical in spoken English if you were speaking a low-class African-American dialect that most African-Americans are embarrassed of.

[siCantikManis]

Okay, it's good to know.