Vivien
Can i omit 'then' when i use 'if'?

What is the difference by using or not using "then" after the comma ?


If I use correct punctuation, then I will include commas where necessary.
If I use correct punctuation, I will include commas where necessary.


If a woman could be able to win the election in 2012, then she will become the first female president.
If a woman could be able to win the election in 2012, she will become the first female president.
 

If the immune system could be able to eradicate cancer cells, then cancer would not be such an aggressive desease.
If the mmune system could be able to eradicate cancer cells, cancer would not be such an aggressive desease.

May 18, 2012 7:07 AM
Comments · 4

Not using 'then' sounds better in each sentence.

Also , it would be 'was able' not 'could be able' and 'disease' not 'desease'

May 19, 2012
Strictly speaking, in contrast to Chinese, such conjunction pairs are NOT be allowed to appear in the same sentence in English, such as "although ... but ...", "because ... therefore ...", etc. However, for the case of "if ... then ...", it is not that strictly required, especially in conversational English.
May 19, 2012

Thanks for your answer.

May 18, 2012

Not alot of difference to be honest, I'm sure the perfectionists may have something to say, but for normal language, there is no difference..

May 18, 2012