OT: Syntax for if/then statement

[Grant Hogarth]

To build still further on Eric's excellent discourse:

There also exists the possibility of a conditional dependency of action.
       E.g. "If your book wins a Pulitzer, [then] you 
             [will/can/must/shall/may/ought to/...] celebrate..."


- If A, then B     (explicit consequence, implied (but not required)
order)
- If A and B       (explicit connection, both elements required)
- If A, and then B (explicit consequence, conditions must occur in fixed
order)
- If A, B          (explict set construction with tacit connection, but
no required sequence)

In the first three of these, the time separation element is implied as a
requirement; the first and third items its value is any greater than 0,
while the second implies simultenaity. The fourth item has no such time
requirement. In addition, the form "If A..." implicitly posits that 'A'
is an event of finite duration whose action has finished.  (Contrast:
"While A, B....".)

Pedantically yours, 
Grant :-)