Here's the question:
If this rain ___________ soon, we'll turn around and go back home.
A. isn't stopping
B. doesn't stop
C. won't stop
D. not stopping
And the correct answer is...????
I'm thinking it is B but I can't explain why...any help with this would be appreciated!!!
2006-08-12 14:56:28 · 9 answers · asked by ESL Teacher 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Teaching
Thanks for all your help! I completely agree with the rain being an inanimate object and therefore, we can't use will/won't with it. But at the same time, we can say "The car won't start." Is this because we give cars human qualities?? Just wondering...?
2006-08-12 15:15:44 · update #1
B. doesn't stop
C. won't stop - shortened for will not stop Rain does not have a will, or thought, so to say it WILL NOT stop is incorrect
2006-08-12 14:59:33 · answer #1 · answered by ceemcee05 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is B, I'm perty sure! (haha, there's my good grammar for ya!) but seriously, isn't stopping is present tense, which disagrees with the future tense (we'll turn around soon). Won't is the same as "will not," which suggests the rain has some sort of mind of it's own...you know, the word "will" implies a decision, as in "Will you give me your chocolate bar?" Since rain cannot chose when to stop, "will" is the wrong word. "Not stopping" alone doesn't fit, and "is not stopping" (present) conflicts with the "soon" (future). "Doesn't stop" fits, as far agreement goes... and it just sounds right!
2006-08-12 15:07:13 · answer #2 · answered by peakfreak 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The correct answer is B. Because rain is an inanimate object and cannot "choose" to stop, as would be described by "won't stop", which denotes will....and inanimate objects have no will.
2006-08-12 15:12:25 · answer #3 · answered by artistagent116 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The correct answer is B. With the "if clause," we generally use the present tense.
Also, using "won't" implies that the rain has a conscious decision whether to stop or continue.
2006-08-12 16:36:03 · answer #4 · answered by cucumberlarry1 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree rain is inanimate, but you have to go with B because it is the most common usage and I think in ESL class common usage is important.
2006-08-12 17:54:17 · answer #5 · answered by Layla Clapton 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dog breath! I know it's B but I can't explain why!
Too bad English doesn't have a simple negative construction for all eventualities the way French does.
2006-08-12 15:06:53 · answer #6 · answered by keepsondancing 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i'm going with b, because rain is something that does or doesn't happen, not an animate object that will or won't do something.
2006-08-12 15:00:51 · answer #7 · answered by pyg 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
b
2006-08-12 16:22:00 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
go w/ b
2006-08-12 15:15:29 · answer #9 · answered by Mike Dub 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋