Is this imperative sentence wrong: “Make sure you wouldn't use the stairs”?





.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__bot-mid-leaderboard:empty{ margin-bottom:0;
}







1















In making a list of school rules, one of my students wrote the sentence "Make sure you wouldn't use the stairs." I feel that using the imperative "Make sure" followed by the modal verb "would't" is wrong, but I don't know of any rule that explicitly states this. Can anyone provide more information on this, please?










share|improve this question














bumped to the homepage by Community 9 mins ago


This question has answers that may be good or bad; the system has marked it active so that they can be reviewed.











  • 2





    It's highly unusual, but I wouldn't say it's wrong. It seems like a simpler version of make sure there isn't a situation where you would use the stairs.

    – Jason Bassford
    Nov 13 '18 at 6:27






  • 1





    1 I do not see a grammar issue here. 2 Semantically, it fails to make proper sense -- say "you do not" and be done with it. 3 Most importantly, I don't even think the poor kids would get the point, if there is any, in using a more complicated semantic or stilted phraseology.

    – Kris
    Nov 13 '18 at 7:08






  • 1





    It's valid in the right context. But the above scenario does not appear to be the right context.

    – Hot Licks
    Nov 14 '18 at 1:30


















1















In making a list of school rules, one of my students wrote the sentence "Make sure you wouldn't use the stairs." I feel that using the imperative "Make sure" followed by the modal verb "would't" is wrong, but I don't know of any rule that explicitly states this. Can anyone provide more information on this, please?










share|improve this question














bumped to the homepage by Community 9 mins ago


This question has answers that may be good or bad; the system has marked it active so that they can be reviewed.











  • 2





    It's highly unusual, but I wouldn't say it's wrong. It seems like a simpler version of make sure there isn't a situation where you would use the stairs.

    – Jason Bassford
    Nov 13 '18 at 6:27






  • 1





    1 I do not see a grammar issue here. 2 Semantically, it fails to make proper sense -- say "you do not" and be done with it. 3 Most importantly, I don't even think the poor kids would get the point, if there is any, in using a more complicated semantic or stilted phraseology.

    – Kris
    Nov 13 '18 at 7:08






  • 1





    It's valid in the right context. But the above scenario does not appear to be the right context.

    – Hot Licks
    Nov 14 '18 at 1:30














1












1








1








In making a list of school rules, one of my students wrote the sentence "Make sure you wouldn't use the stairs." I feel that using the imperative "Make sure" followed by the modal verb "would't" is wrong, but I don't know of any rule that explicitly states this. Can anyone provide more information on this, please?










share|improve this question














In making a list of school rules, one of my students wrote the sentence "Make sure you wouldn't use the stairs." I feel that using the imperative "Make sure" followed by the modal verb "would't" is wrong, but I don't know of any rule that explicitly states this. Can anyone provide more information on this, please?







modal-verbs subjunctive-mood imperative






share|improve this question













share|improve this question











share|improve this question




share|improve this question










asked Nov 13 '18 at 6:16









Michael DanielMichael Daniel

61




61





bumped to the homepage by Community 9 mins ago


This question has answers that may be good or bad; the system has marked it active so that they can be reviewed.







bumped to the homepage by Community 9 mins ago


This question has answers that may be good or bad; the system has marked it active so that they can be reviewed.










  • 2





    It's highly unusual, but I wouldn't say it's wrong. It seems like a simpler version of make sure there isn't a situation where you would use the stairs.

    – Jason Bassford
    Nov 13 '18 at 6:27






  • 1





    1 I do not see a grammar issue here. 2 Semantically, it fails to make proper sense -- say "you do not" and be done with it. 3 Most importantly, I don't even think the poor kids would get the point, if there is any, in using a more complicated semantic or stilted phraseology.

    – Kris
    Nov 13 '18 at 7:08






  • 1





    It's valid in the right context. But the above scenario does not appear to be the right context.

    – Hot Licks
    Nov 14 '18 at 1:30














  • 2





    It's highly unusual, but I wouldn't say it's wrong. It seems like a simpler version of make sure there isn't a situation where you would use the stairs.

    – Jason Bassford
    Nov 13 '18 at 6:27






  • 1





    1 I do not see a grammar issue here. 2 Semantically, it fails to make proper sense -- say "you do not" and be done with it. 3 Most importantly, I don't even think the poor kids would get the point, if there is any, in using a more complicated semantic or stilted phraseology.

    – Kris
    Nov 13 '18 at 7:08






  • 1





    It's valid in the right context. But the above scenario does not appear to be the right context.

    – Hot Licks
    Nov 14 '18 at 1:30








2




2





It's highly unusual, but I wouldn't say it's wrong. It seems like a simpler version of make sure there isn't a situation where you would use the stairs.

– Jason Bassford
Nov 13 '18 at 6:27





It's highly unusual, but I wouldn't say it's wrong. It seems like a simpler version of make sure there isn't a situation where you would use the stairs.

– Jason Bassford
Nov 13 '18 at 6:27




1




1





1 I do not see a grammar issue here. 2 Semantically, it fails to make proper sense -- say "you do not" and be done with it. 3 Most importantly, I don't even think the poor kids would get the point, if there is any, in using a more complicated semantic or stilted phraseology.

– Kris
Nov 13 '18 at 7:08





1 I do not see a grammar issue here. 2 Semantically, it fails to make proper sense -- say "you do not" and be done with it. 3 Most importantly, I don't even think the poor kids would get the point, if there is any, in using a more complicated semantic or stilted phraseology.

– Kris
Nov 13 '18 at 7:08




1




1





It's valid in the right context. But the above scenario does not appear to be the right context.

– Hot Licks
Nov 14 '18 at 1:30





It's valid in the right context. But the above scenario does not appear to be the right context.

– Hot Licks
Nov 14 '18 at 1:30










2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes


















0














Would, like ‘will’ is a devilish little word. Take the following examples.





  1. When I was young, after school, I would go up to the heath with my friends to play football.

  2. I warned you not to go near the electric fence, but you would just do it, wouldn’t you?

  3. I wouldn’t go there if I were you.




These are all slightly different.



The reason is the association of would with will. Sentence 3 is the true modal use in a the context of a remote conditional, referring to the future. It is tempting to interpret the “wouldn’t” of the question in this way, as an apodosis with the protasis left to be understood. But there is at least one alternative (not among my three examples!).



In sentence 1, wouldis functioning as a habitual past: “... I used to go ...”.



In sentence2, the “would is a past of determination. My use of bold reflects the fact that it only comes across when spoken with special emphasis on the word ‘would’.



But I suggest that the word ‘would’ is out of place in the context of the question. There is a perfectly good admonitory imperative, introduced by make sure or mind. But it goes




Mind/make sure you don’t go near the electric fence.




What is the construction? Well, the context is modal, but the verb just is a simple present, as far as I can see.






share|improve this answer

































    0














    You're right that the use of would is wrong. This site gives you examples of how make sure is properly used.



    Make sure of + noun: Make sure of your facts before proceeding.



    Make sure (that)/to + verb: Make sure (that) you collect your facts before proceeding. / Make sure to collect your facts before proceeding.






    share|improve this answer
























      Your Answer








      StackExchange.ready(function() {
      var channelOptions = {
      tags: "".split(" "),
      id: "97"
      };
      initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);

      StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function() {
      // Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
      if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled) {
      StackExchange.using("snippets", function() {
      createEditor();
      });
      }
      else {
      createEditor();
      }
      });

      function createEditor() {
      StackExchange.prepareEditor({
      heartbeatType: 'answer',
      autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
      convertImagesToLinks: false,
      noModals: true,
      showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
      reputationToPostImages: null,
      bindNavPrevention: true,
      postfix: "",
      imageUploader: {
      brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
      contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
      allowUrls: true
      },
      noCode: true, onDemand: true,
      discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
      ,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
      });


      }
      });














      draft saved

      draft discarded


















      StackExchange.ready(
      function () {
      StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fenglish.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f472705%2fis-this-imperative-sentence-wrong-make-sure-you-wouldnt-use-the-stairs%23new-answer', 'question_page');
      }
      );

      Post as a guest















      Required, but never shown

























      2 Answers
      2






      active

      oldest

      votes








      2 Answers
      2






      active

      oldest

      votes









      active

      oldest

      votes






      active

      oldest

      votes









      0














      Would, like ‘will’ is a devilish little word. Take the following examples.





      1. When I was young, after school, I would go up to the heath with my friends to play football.

      2. I warned you not to go near the electric fence, but you would just do it, wouldn’t you?

      3. I wouldn’t go there if I were you.




      These are all slightly different.



      The reason is the association of would with will. Sentence 3 is the true modal use in a the context of a remote conditional, referring to the future. It is tempting to interpret the “wouldn’t” of the question in this way, as an apodosis with the protasis left to be understood. But there is at least one alternative (not among my three examples!).



      In sentence 1, wouldis functioning as a habitual past: “... I used to go ...”.



      In sentence2, the “would is a past of determination. My use of bold reflects the fact that it only comes across when spoken with special emphasis on the word ‘would’.



      But I suggest that the word ‘would’ is out of place in the context of the question. There is a perfectly good admonitory imperative, introduced by make sure or mind. But it goes




      Mind/make sure you don’t go near the electric fence.




      What is the construction? Well, the context is modal, but the verb just is a simple present, as far as I can see.






      share|improve this answer






























        0














        Would, like ‘will’ is a devilish little word. Take the following examples.





        1. When I was young, after school, I would go up to the heath with my friends to play football.

        2. I warned you not to go near the electric fence, but you would just do it, wouldn’t you?

        3. I wouldn’t go there if I were you.




        These are all slightly different.



        The reason is the association of would with will. Sentence 3 is the true modal use in a the context of a remote conditional, referring to the future. It is tempting to interpret the “wouldn’t” of the question in this way, as an apodosis with the protasis left to be understood. But there is at least one alternative (not among my three examples!).



        In sentence 1, wouldis functioning as a habitual past: “... I used to go ...”.



        In sentence2, the “would is a past of determination. My use of bold reflects the fact that it only comes across when spoken with special emphasis on the word ‘would’.



        But I suggest that the word ‘would’ is out of place in the context of the question. There is a perfectly good admonitory imperative, introduced by make sure or mind. But it goes




        Mind/make sure you don’t go near the electric fence.




        What is the construction? Well, the context is modal, but the verb just is a simple present, as far as I can see.






        share|improve this answer




























          0












          0








          0







          Would, like ‘will’ is a devilish little word. Take the following examples.





          1. When I was young, after school, I would go up to the heath with my friends to play football.

          2. I warned you not to go near the electric fence, but you would just do it, wouldn’t you?

          3. I wouldn’t go there if I were you.




          These are all slightly different.



          The reason is the association of would with will. Sentence 3 is the true modal use in a the context of a remote conditional, referring to the future. It is tempting to interpret the “wouldn’t” of the question in this way, as an apodosis with the protasis left to be understood. But there is at least one alternative (not among my three examples!).



          In sentence 1, wouldis functioning as a habitual past: “... I used to go ...”.



          In sentence2, the “would is a past of determination. My use of bold reflects the fact that it only comes across when spoken with special emphasis on the word ‘would’.



          But I suggest that the word ‘would’ is out of place in the context of the question. There is a perfectly good admonitory imperative, introduced by make sure or mind. But it goes




          Mind/make sure you don’t go near the electric fence.




          What is the construction? Well, the context is modal, but the verb just is a simple present, as far as I can see.






          share|improve this answer















          Would, like ‘will’ is a devilish little word. Take the following examples.





          1. When I was young, after school, I would go up to the heath with my friends to play football.

          2. I warned you not to go near the electric fence, but you would just do it, wouldn’t you?

          3. I wouldn’t go there if I were you.




          These are all slightly different.



          The reason is the association of would with will. Sentence 3 is the true modal use in a the context of a remote conditional, referring to the future. It is tempting to interpret the “wouldn’t” of the question in this way, as an apodosis with the protasis left to be understood. But there is at least one alternative (not among my three examples!).



          In sentence 1, wouldis functioning as a habitual past: “... I used to go ...”.



          In sentence2, the “would is a past of determination. My use of bold reflects the fact that it only comes across when spoken with special emphasis on the word ‘would’.



          But I suggest that the word ‘would’ is out of place in the context of the question. There is a perfectly good admonitory imperative, introduced by make sure or mind. But it goes




          Mind/make sure you don’t go near the electric fence.




          What is the construction? Well, the context is modal, but the verb just is a simple present, as far as I can see.







          share|improve this answer














          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer








          edited Nov 13 '18 at 9:38

























          answered Nov 13 '18 at 8:57









          TuffyTuffy

          4,1051621




          4,1051621

























              0














              You're right that the use of would is wrong. This site gives you examples of how make sure is properly used.



              Make sure of + noun: Make sure of your facts before proceeding.



              Make sure (that)/to + verb: Make sure (that) you collect your facts before proceeding. / Make sure to collect your facts before proceeding.






              share|improve this answer




























                0














                You're right that the use of would is wrong. This site gives you examples of how make sure is properly used.



                Make sure of + noun: Make sure of your facts before proceeding.



                Make sure (that)/to + verb: Make sure (that) you collect your facts before proceeding. / Make sure to collect your facts before proceeding.






                share|improve this answer


























                  0












                  0








                  0







                  You're right that the use of would is wrong. This site gives you examples of how make sure is properly used.



                  Make sure of + noun: Make sure of your facts before proceeding.



                  Make sure (that)/to + verb: Make sure (that) you collect your facts before proceeding. / Make sure to collect your facts before proceeding.






                  share|improve this answer













                  You're right that the use of would is wrong. This site gives you examples of how make sure is properly used.



                  Make sure of + noun: Make sure of your facts before proceeding.



                  Make sure (that)/to + verb: Make sure (that) you collect your facts before proceeding. / Make sure to collect your facts before proceeding.







                  share|improve this answer












                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer










                  answered Nov 14 '18 at 1:03









                  WordsterWordster

                  820315




                  820315






























                      draft saved

                      draft discarded




















































                      Thanks for contributing an answer to English Language & Usage Stack Exchange!


                      • Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!

                      But avoid



                      • Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.

                      • Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.


                      To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.




                      draft saved


                      draft discarded














                      StackExchange.ready(
                      function () {
                      StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fenglish.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f472705%2fis-this-imperative-sentence-wrong-make-sure-you-wouldnt-use-the-stairs%23new-answer', 'question_page');
                      }
                      );

                      Post as a guest















                      Required, but never shown





















































                      Required, but never shown














                      Required, but never shown












                      Required, but never shown







                      Required, but never shown

































                      Required, but never shown














                      Required, but never shown












                      Required, but never shown







                      Required, but never shown







                      Popular posts from this blog

                      Færeyskur hestur Heimild | Tengill | Tilvísanir | LeiðsagnarvalRossið - síða um færeyska hrossið á færeyskuGott ár hjá færeyska hestinum

                      He _____ here since 1970 . Answer needed [closed]What does “since he was so high” mean?Meaning of “catch birds for”?How do I ensure “since” takes the meaning I want?“Who cares here” meaningWhat does “right round toward” mean?the time tense (had now been detected)What does the phrase “ring around the roses” mean here?Correct usage of “visited upon”Meaning of “foiled rail sabotage bid”It was the third time I had gone to Rome or It is the third time I had been to Rome

                      Slayer Innehåll Historia | Stil, komposition och lyrik | Bandets betydelse och framgångar | Sidoprojekt och samarbeten | Kontroverser | Medlemmar | Utmärkelser och nomineringar | Turnéer och festivaler | Diskografi | Referenser | Externa länkar | Navigeringsmenywww.slayer.net”Metal Massacre vol. 1””Metal Massacre vol. 3””Metal Massacre Volume III””Show No Mercy””Haunting the Chapel””Live Undead””Hell Awaits””Reign in Blood””Reign in Blood””Gold & Platinum – Reign in Blood””Golden Gods Awards Winners”originalet”Kerrang! Hall Of Fame””Slayer Looks Back On 37-Year Career In New Video Series: Part Two””South of Heaven””Gold & Platinum – South of Heaven””Seasons in the Abyss””Gold & Platinum - Seasons in the Abyss””Divine Intervention””Divine Intervention - Release group by Slayer””Gold & Platinum - Divine Intervention””Live Intrusion””Undisputed Attitude””Abolish Government/Superficial Love””Release “Slatanic Slaughter: A Tribute to Slayer” by Various Artists””Diabolus in Musica””Soundtrack to the Apocalypse””God Hates Us All””Systematic - Relationships””War at the Warfield””Gold & Platinum - War at the Warfield””Soundtrack to the Apocalypse””Gold & Platinum - Still Reigning””Metallica, Slayer, Iron Mauden Among Winners At Metal Hammer Awards””Eternal Pyre””Eternal Pyre - Slayer release group””Eternal Pyre””Metal Storm Awards 2006””Kerrang! Hall Of Fame””Slayer Wins 'Best Metal' Grammy Award””Slayer Guitarist Jeff Hanneman Dies””Bullet-For My Valentine booed at Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards””Unholy Aliance””The End Of Slayer?””Slayer: We Could Thrash Out Two More Albums If We're Fast Enough...””'The Unholy Alliance: Chapter III' UK Dates Added”originalet”Megadeth And Slayer To Co-Headline 'Canadian Carnage' Trek”originalet”World Painted Blood””Release “World Painted Blood” by Slayer””Metallica Heading To Cinemas””Slayer, Megadeth To Join Forces For 'European Carnage' Tour - Dec. 18, 2010”originalet”Slayer's Hanneman Contracts Acute Infection; Band To Bring In Guest Guitarist””Cannibal Corpse's Pat O'Brien Will Step In As Slayer's Guest Guitarist”originalet”Slayer’s Jeff Hanneman Dead at 49””Dave Lombardo Says He Made Only $67,000 In 2011 While Touring With Slayer””Slayer: We Do Not Agree With Dave Lombardo's Substance Or Timeline Of Events””Slayer Welcomes Drummer Paul Bostaph Back To The Fold””Slayer Hope to Unveil Never-Before-Heard Jeff Hanneman Material on Next Album””Slayer Debut New Song 'Implode' During Surprise Golden Gods Appearance””Release group Repentless by Slayer””Repentless - Slayer - Credits””Slayer””Metal Storm Awards 2015””Slayer - to release comic book "Repentless #1"””Slayer To Release 'Repentless' 6.66" Vinyl Box Set””BREAKING NEWS: Slayer Announce Farewell Tour””Slayer Recruit Lamb of God, Anthrax, Behemoth + Testament for Final Tour””Slayer lägger ner efter 37 år””Slayer Announces Second North American Leg Of 'Final' Tour””Final World Tour””Slayer Announces Final European Tour With Lamb of God, Anthrax And Obituary””Slayer To Tour Europe With Lamb of God, Anthrax And Obituary””Slayer To Play 'Last French Show Ever' At Next Year's Hellfst””Slayer's Final World Tour Will Extend Into 2019””Death Angel's Rob Cavestany On Slayer's 'Farewell' Tour: 'Some Of Us Could See This Coming'””Testament Has No Plans To Retire Anytime Soon, Says Chuck Billy””Anthrax's Scott Ian On Slayer's 'Farewell' Tour Plans: 'I Was Surprised And I Wasn't Surprised'””Slayer””Slayer's Morbid Schlock””Review/Rock; For Slayer, the Mania Is the Message””Slayer - Biography””Slayer - Reign In Blood”originalet”Dave Lombardo””An exclusive oral history of Slayer”originalet”Exclusive! Interview With Slayer Guitarist Jeff Hanneman”originalet”Thinking Out Loud: Slayer's Kerry King on hair metal, Satan and being polite””Slayer Lyrics””Slayer - Biography””Most influential artists for extreme metal music””Slayer - Reign in Blood””Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman dies aged 49””Slatanic Slaughter: A Tribute to Slayer””Gateway to Hell: A Tribute to Slayer””Covered In Blood””Slayer: The Origins of Thrash in San Francisco, CA.””Why They Rule - #6 Slayer”originalet”Guitar World's 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Guitarists Of All Time”originalet”The fans have spoken: Slayer comes out on top in readers' polls”originalet”Tribute to Jeff Hanneman (1964-2013)””Lamb Of God Frontman: We Sound Like A Slayer Rip-Off””BEHEMOTH Frontman Pays Tribute To SLAYER's JEFF HANNEMAN””Slayer, Hatebreed Doing Double Duty On This Year's Ozzfest””System of a Down””Lacuna Coil’s Andrea Ferro Talks Influences, Skateboarding, Band Origins + More””Slayer - Reign in Blood””Into The Lungs of Hell””Slayer rules - en utställning om fans””Slayer and Their Fans Slashed Through a No-Holds-Barred Night at Gas Monkey””Home””Slayer””Gold & Platinum - The Big 4 Live from Sofia, Bulgaria””Exclusive! Interview With Slayer Guitarist Kerry King””2008-02-23: Wiltern, Los Angeles, CA, USA””Slayer's Kerry King To Perform With Megadeth Tonight! - Oct. 21, 2010”originalet”Dave Lombardo - Biography”Slayer Case DismissedArkiveradUltimate Classic Rock: Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman dead at 49.”Slayer: "We could never do any thing like Some Kind Of Monster..."””Cannibal Corpse'S Pat O'Brien Will Step In As Slayer'S Guest Guitarist | The Official Slayer Site”originalet”Slayer Wins 'Best Metal' Grammy Award””Slayer Guitarist Jeff Hanneman Dies””Kerrang! Awards 2006 Blog: Kerrang! Hall Of Fame””Kerrang! Awards 2013: Kerrang! Legend”originalet”Metallica, Slayer, Iron Maien Among Winners At Metal Hammer Awards””Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards””Bullet For My Valentine Booed At Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards””Metal Storm Awards 2006””Metal Storm Awards 2015””Slayer's Concert History””Slayer - Relationships””Slayer - Releases”Slayers officiella webbplatsSlayer på MusicBrainzOfficiell webbplatsSlayerSlayerr1373445760000 0001 1540 47353068615-5086262726cb13906545x(data)6033143kn20030215029