1) If you rob banks, it can get you into trouble.
2) If you rob banks, it could get you into trouble.
3) If you get on the number 4 bus, you can get to the city center.
4) If you get on the number 4 bus, you could get to the city center.
In all of them, "you" is either generic or specific. Are they all first conditional sentences that refer to the future?
If you rob banks, it can/could get you into trouble.
Moderator: Alan
-
- Member
- Posts: 42
- Joined: Sat Apr 18, 2020 8:50 pm
- Status: Learner of English
- Alan
- Teacher/Moderator
- Posts: 15208
- Joined: Mon Dec 29, 2003 7:56 pm
- Status: Teacher of English
- Location: Japan
Re: If you rob banks, it can/could get you into trouble.
I would say that #1~3 are well-formed first conditionals, but #4, where 'could' = would be able to (and not simply 'might' as in #2), should be rephrased as a 2nd conditional (If you GOT...).