Are these sentences equivalent and grammatically correct?

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hardworker
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Posts: 18
Joined: Sun May 29, 2016 7:40 am
Status: Learner of English

Are these sentences equivalent and grammatically correct?

Post by hardworker »

I would like to make up a few sentences below.

(1a) If you see a rainbow early in the morning, you will win the lottery soon.
(1b) Seeing a rainbow early in the morning, you will win the lottery soon.

(2a) You always arrive at your workplace on time because you ride a bike there every day.
(2b) Riding a bike every day, you always arrive at your workplace on time.

Are these sentences equivalent and grammatically correct? Thank you very much.
knowable
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Posts: 41
Joined: Thu Feb 18, 2016 5:31 pm
Status: Teacher of English

Re: Are these sentences equivalent and grammatically correct?

Post by knowable »

In 1, the two sentences do not have same meaning. From sentence A, I understand that I am likely to win lottery if I happen to see a rainbow in early morning. Note that ‘if you see a rainbow early in the morning’ is functioning as an adverbial clause of condition.

The meaning of sentence B is not clear at all. One way you could rewrite is: ‘seeing a rainbow early in the morning increases your chance of winning lottery’.

In 2, the problem with sentence A is wording and with sentence B I would say the structure. Overall, you seem to be making a statement. That:
a. You always get to work on time because you cycle there.
b. Riding a bike to work gets you there on time. (That is riding a bike versus, say, walking.)
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