They leave
unresolved the fulfilment or nonfulfilment of the condition. The speaker studies the situation and he sees there are no circumstances that might prevent the fulfilment of the condition in the future but, as it is something in the future, who knows what will happen.
| If Sally finishes up
the cake, she will get stomachache.
"Finishes up" expresses an
action in the future, even though the verb is in the present. |
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The speaker uses the present simple
in the if-clause, even though he may be speaking about the future, to convey his opinion that the condition may be fulfilled and future in the matrix
clause:
OTHER FORMS
are possible in OPEN CONDITIONS:
If Paul is back in Edinburgh, he may telephone you. (Perhaps
he will telephone you or perhaps not.) If you want a drink,
insert £1 and press the red button. If you push
him, he starts crying. (The speaker is talking about a common
occurrence.) If you have finished eating, I´ll bring
the coffee.
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