if it rains

English grammar questions, answered by Alan

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azz
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if it rains

Post by azz »

a. The only possibility for the show to be cancelled is if it rains.
b. The only way for the show to be cancelled is if it rains.
c. The only way it is possible for the show to be cancelled is if it rains.


d. The only possibility for the show to be cancelled is that it rains.
e. The only way for the show to be cancelled is that it rains.
f. The only way it is possible for the show to be cancelled is that it rains.


Which of the above are grammatically correct and meaningful?

Many thanks
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Alan
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Re: if it rains

Post by Alan »

D~f are nonsense.

Regarding a~c, acceptable only if we consider both 'way' and 'possiblity' both to refer to 'possible circumstance'.

None is well-formed.

For a well-formed version, I would suggest e.g.: The only possible circumstance under which the show would be cancelled is if it were to rain.
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