Why do we use would in the following sentence?. Can we replace the would with "it burns your fingers"
A hot potato is definitely something you don’t want to hold with your bare hands for a long time, because it would burn your fingers
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1 Answer
A hot potato is definitely something you don’t want to hold with your bare hands for a long time, because it would burn your fingers.
This is a conditional sentence that states a condition that will cause a specific result. Use of the simple present "it burns" states something is happening now, not might/probably/will happen. This if/then construction proposes the consequence given the stated condition, not a present action.
"Holding a hot potato too long burns my fingers" is a statement of present action.
"If I hold a hot potato too long, it will/would burn my fingers" is a conditional sentence offering "if this, then that" information.
If a time is set in the conditional, then the present tense would be used: "When I hold a hot potato too long, it burns my fingers."
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Simply, the answer to your question is "no" the present tense "burns" is not used in this conditional sentence. Use "would" when a condition is given for a result when no time is specified. Commented Mar 26, 2020 at 12:21
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Can you please provide one similar sentence to support your answer. It would be easy for me to get the essence of your answer Commented Mar 26, 2020 at 12:28
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1"If you do this, then that would happen. When you to this, that happens" Commented Mar 26, 2020 at 12:33
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This comment is more useful than the whole answer!. Thanks a ton Commented Mar 26, 2020 at 12:37