We usually tell students that the ‘if’ clause in a Conditional I has a verb in the Simple Present. But in this example from Ozark, the verb is in the ‘will-future’ ("…if you’ll listen"). Why is this the case?
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I’m not sure what you are asking. I don’t see why a conditional needs to be simple present.
If you were listening…
If you are listening…
If you will listen…
If it is warm tomorrow, I will work on the car.
If you will meet me at the mall, we can go shopping.
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All ESL websites tell learners that the if clause in a Conditional I must be in the Simple Present. Here is an example:
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So what tense is “if you will”?
Functionally ‘if you’ and ‘if you will’ mean the same thing. In your example the addition of ‘will’ adds emphasis and probably shows impatience, frustration, or anger. The tone of voice can do the same thing without the addition of ‘will’.
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I hear frustration.
The “listener” is not listening and will have to change their attitude if they are going to understand the plan.
I could be wrong, but here I think “will” is expressing “willingness” rather than the future tense.
“If you are willing to listen.”
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Now that you say it, it makes perfect sense. The German verb “wollen” has a similar meaning to the English modal verb “will”, which is sometimes used to express willingness rather than as part of the future tense.
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Torsten, the Conditional Type I demands that the main clause alone contain the modal.
Using modals in both the clauses is often found in correspondence between offices.
Strictly speaking, use of modal in the main clause and present simple in the subordinate clause can only be grammatical.
So, If you study well, you will get through the examination is better than If you will study well, you will get through the examination.
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Well, Lawrence, that doesn’t change the fact that the sentence we’re talking about here is perfectly idiomatic English, and grammatically correct as well.
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It’s a collocation. It expresses more than the strict meaning of the words. The tone of voice is important.
If you listen ( this is neutral and does not indicate any emotions )
If you will listen ( this might show impatience, frustration or anger )
If you will only listen ( this almost certainly show impatience, frustration or anger )
If you will just listen ( same as only listen )
Even without hearing the tone of voice and no other context, I can guess that the speaker is speaking from a position of authority or dominance, and very likely with impatience, frustration or anger.
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You are absolutely right as you can see from the dialog:
Marty: Well, I mean, you know, buying a company and then price-hiking their, uh, their best drug is not really a sustainable model. You know, Medicaid will be knocking on your doors for a refund, then the short-sellers will take the rest. You know, you’re in trouble. It’s right there.
Clare: How’d you even get these numbers? They’re not public.
Marty: Uh, no, but they’re accessible. So, you know, I’m only two months ahead of the pack, if that.
Clare: This is your unmissable offer? A dressing down by the owners of a riverboat casino?
Wendy: Clare, please, that… That is not what we’re doing. We just need you to understand the reality. Your company’s in trouble, which means your family’s in trouble. And we may be able to fix both, if you’ll listen.
Without the tone of voice, this doesn’t actually seem to show anger or frustration. It sounds like they are being patient (using the word please for example ). It sounds like they are being patient and trying to get her to see the writing on the wall.
In this case, I think the word ‘will’ is actually needed.
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I see. I should stand unlearnt and relearnt, I think.
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