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ESL forum >
Grammar and Linguistics > Help needed
Help needed
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claudiaeusebio
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Help needed
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Hello, everyone! I �ve come across this sentence and I would appreciate it very much if any of you could explain it to me... "If he can call, take a message." I had never seen a case with an imperative, so I wonder if it is possible... thanks in advance! |
26 May 2015
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ueslteacher
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It would sound more logical to me if the sentence ran, "If he calls, take a message" meaning talk to him and write down the info that he wants to pass on. Maybe it �ll be clearer if you could picture a boss leaving his office saying that to his secretary. |
26 May 2015
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yanogator
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Sophia is right. The sentence is wrong, and "If he calls, take a message" is the usual sentence. Bruce
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26 May 2015
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cunliffe
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Or maybe �if he can call, � with the emphasis on �can �. This assumes that there is some doubt as to whether he can call or not....If he can, then take a message. |
26 May 2015
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yanogator
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Good point, Lynne. I hadn �t thought of that reading, meaning "If he does find a way to call, take a message". Bruce
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26 May 2015
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claudiaeusebio
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Thank you guys! I know it is not easy to take the time to sit and write, so once more, thanks a lot! |
26 May 2015
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nasreddine Sarsar
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There �s nothing wrong with the sentence. If he can call means if he manages to call... You �re right Lynne! |
27 May 2015
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