“Better if”/“Better that”
Is there any semantic or usage difference between "better if" and "better that" in sentences like the following ones?
(1) It would be better if Tom leaves (Tom left)
(2) It would be better that Tom leaves (Tom left)
In particular, is it the case that (1) has a preferred, or at least a possible, meaning of something like (3) but that (2) does not?
(3) If the circumstance of Tom's leaving were realized, then in that circumstance things would be better.
But if so, then what does (2) mean and how does it mean something different?
phrase-meaning
asked 2 days ago
Jeff McConnell
6
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Jeff McConnell is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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add a comment |
Is there any semantic or usage difference between "better if" and "better that" in sentences like the following ones?
(1) It would be better if Tom leaves (Tom left)
(2) It would be better that Tom leaves (Tom left)
In particular, is it the case that (1) has a preferred, or at least a possible, meaning of something like (3) but that (2) does not?
(3) If the circumstance of Tom's leaving were realized, then in that circumstance things would be better.
But if so, then what does (2) mean and how does it mean something different?
phrase-meaning
asked 2 days ago
Jeff McConnell
6
New contributor
Jeff McConnell is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
In (2) it should be "leave", not "leaves".
– Barmar
2 days ago
add a comment |
Is there any semantic or usage difference between "better if" and "better that" in sentences like the following ones?
(1) It would be better if Tom leaves (Tom left)
(2) It would be better that Tom leaves (Tom left)
In particular, is it the case that (1) has a preferred, or at least a possible, meaning of something like (3) but that (2) does not?
(3) If the circumstance of Tom's leaving were realized, then in that circumstance things would be better.
But if so, then what does (2) mean and how does it mean something different?
phrase-meaning
asked 2 days ago
Jeff McConnell
6
New contributor
Jeff McConnell is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Is there any semantic or usage difference between "better if" and "better that" in sentences like the following ones?
(1) It would be better if Tom leaves (Tom left)
(2) It would be better that Tom leaves (Tom left)
In particular, is it the case that (1) has a preferred, or at least a possible, meaning of something like (3) but that (2) does not?
(3) If the circumstance of Tom's leaving were realized, then in that circumstance things would be better.
But if so, then what does (2) mean and how does it mean something different?
phrase-meaning
phrase-meaning
asked 2 days ago
Jeff McConnell
6
New contributor
Jeff McConnell is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 2 days ago
Jeff McConnell
6
New contributor
Jeff McConnell is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 2 days ago
Jeff McConnell
6
New contributor
Jeff McConnell is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 2 days ago
Jeff McConnell
6
asked 2 days ago
Jeff McConnell
6
6
New contributor
Jeff McConnell is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Jeff McConnell is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Jeff McConnell is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
In (2) it should be "leave", not "leaves".
– Barmar
2 days ago
add a comment |
In (2) it should be "leave", not "leaves".
– Barmar
2 days ago
In (2) it should be "leave", not "leaves".
– Barmar
2 days ago
In (2) it should be "leave", not "leaves".
– Barmar
2 days ago
add a comment |
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In (2) it should be "leave", not "leaves".
– Barmar
2 days ago