If....Then - Are the following acceptable

[sw001]

Dear Instructors,

Manhattan GMAT SC guide has provided some examples of If...Then constructions. I need confirmation on the following which are not explicitly mentioned in the book -

1. If he studies well, then he would score high.
Explanation - We don't know how he will study. For that reason we are putting a condition that if he studies well, he would score high.

OR this uncertain situation/condition should only be stated using -
IF he studies well, he may/can score high.


2. Are the following correct/incorrect -
IF he has studied well, then he would score high.
IF he has studied well, then he may score high.
Explanation - Right before the exam, when the effect of verb "study" is still in place, if we make these two statements. Are they correct?


Please advice. Thanks so much for your help!

[RonPurewal]

Dear Instructors,

Manhattan GMAT SC guide has provided some examples of If...Then constructions. I need confirmation on the following which are not explicitly mentioned in the book -

1. If he studies well, then he would score high.
Explanation - We don't know how he will study. For that reason we are putting a condition that if he studies well, he would score high.

"Would" is wrong; it should be "will".

The likelihood is irrelevant. In fact, the entire reason for the existence of the word "if" is to make that likelihood irrelevant.
E.g., If you drink rubbing alcohol, you will die.
I'm not concerned with whether you are likely to drink rubbing alcohol; I'm concerned only with what will happen if you do.

[RonPurewal]

OR this uncertain situation/condition should only be stated using -
IF he studies well, he may/can score high.

These also work; they just don't mean the same thing as "will".

They both suggest that the result is uncertain.
"Can" suggests that the person's ability plays a large role. "May" suggests that the result is more random.

[RonPurewal]

2. Are the following correct/incorrect -
IF he has studied well, then he would score high.
IF he has studied well, then he may score high.

Both fine, as long as they match what you actually mean to say.

[sw001]

2. Are the following correct/incorrect -
IF he has studied well, then he would score high.
IF he has studied well, then he may score high.

Both fine, as long as they match what you actually mean to say.

Thanks Ron for your replies. Quoting the last reply - if the two sentences are correct, then that means -
Present Perfect (he has) can go with Conditional (would)?

[RonPurewal]

I don't remember the terms, so, if they are relevant, I'm going to miss that part.

In any case, you'd need a pretty specific—and unusual—kind of context to combine those two tenses. But it's not impossible.
E.g.,
Provided he has actually done all the reading, he would pass any quiz that you might decide to give him. ("would", "might decide"—these are hypotheticals viewed as unlikely by the speaker. They are contingent on whether the student has done all of the assigned reading.)

[sw001]

Thank you Ron for your awesome explanations for each scenario!!

Thanks!

[RonPurewal]

No problem.