Thread: if...will

In this case, the answer is: "request"

e.g. "If you will follow me...."

If Grisham had written:
"If you tell me, I'll be in a better position to help him.", i.e. using a first conditional, then there is simply a statement of causal dependence. The speaker is requesting that the listener tell him/her.

Oh, I see. Thanks waxwing.
So it's not that case.

Originally Posted by kwatts59

1) Open a window if it will help you to sleep.
You would say this to someone who cannot sleep now or in the near future. This is for a one time event.

2) Open a window if it helps you to sleep.
You would say this to someone who continuously cannot sleep. Every night they cannot sleep.

IMHO I am not sure Kwatts is right.
1) Open a window if it will help you to sleep.
The window is currently closed.
The speaker thinks that an open window will help the listener to sleep better.
The speaker is suggesting to the listener to open the window to make it easier to sleep.

2) Open a window if it helps you to sleep.
The window is currently closed.
The speaker knows the listener cannot sleep well with the window closed. Maybe the listener complained that he cannot sleep well.
The speaker is telling the listener to open the window to make it easier to sleep.

Originally Posted by kwatts59

The difference in meaning is so minor, that if you mix them up, nobody would care anyway.

I agree. We may be arguing over nothing.

Originally Posted by alexi

- How much does he know? If you'll tell me, I'll be in a better position to help him.

Nothing was told to the speaker yet.
The speaker is asking the listener to tell him the info so that he can help.

Originally Posted by waxwing

If you tell me, I'll be in a better position to help him.

I can't tell the difference in meaning. Maybe this is a tad bit less polite.

It is like the difference between
Will you go to the store. vs. Go to the store.
The first is polite, the second is not.