Use of 'shall' and 'will' in conditional sentences.

Question

My understanding is that the ''ll' (double L contraction for will and shall) mustn't be used after If (conditional sentences). Well, I've just bumped into this sentence:

• If you'll clear the table, I'll wash the dishes.

If my assumption is wrong and that's correct, can it be used in all contexts?

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Yes it can be used as shown by you.

In fact it is always used like that unless emphasis is needed:

If you will clear the table" - this of course requires another clause to be a conditional sentence.

Will can also be used like this:

If you will always argue with me I will not talk to you.

=

If you insist on arguing with me I will not talk to you.

All contractions can be uncontracted for emphasis.

"Yes, he's here" - " Yes he is here" etc.

Normally contractions are not used in formal writing.

Good explanation. Contracted "ll"-s in conditional sentences make the request sound a bit nicer and softer, I rarely see them in their full form. - Manity, Sep 6, 2013

Gandalf, as in: "You shall not pass". He wasn't being soft down there. :D - 00483d91, Sep 6, 2013

Muhaha, yeah! How was that phrase translated in Spanish? No vas a pasar, fancy future tense, something altogether different? - Manity, Sep 6, 2013

"No puedes pasar" in Spanish (Spain) and "No lograrás pasar" in Latin Spanish. - 00483d91, Sep 6, 2013

Using lograr sounds quite fancy to me, I like how neither version used a literal translation. I'm really impressed you were able to produce both version practically off the top of your head. - Manity, Sep 6, 2013

I actually went to YouTube and checked the clips in 'neutral' and 'Latin' Spanish. In movies, when dubbed, it's not all about perfect translation (they're terrible sometimes) but lip-sync. - 00483d91, Sep 6, 2013

Ah, yes, of course. The sad reality of dubbing movies. - Manity, Sep 6, 2013

Answer 2

Then, may I assume that the following is incorrect?:

• Tom: Frank, wash the dishes.
• Frank: If you'll clear the table.

Should be?: If you clear the table.

Yes that sounds more natural but both answers are ok. - ian-hill, Sep 6, 2013

Thank you very much! :) - 00483d91, Sep 6, 2013

Strangely - Yes, if you are "willing" to clear the table. Voluntad. This will is nothing to do with the future really. - ian-hill, Sep 6, 2013