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What is the difference between the following:

What is applied mathematics? If you were to summarize it in a few words?

What is applied mathematics? If you are to summarize it in a few words?

What is applied mathematics? If you summarize it in a few words?

What is applied mathematics? [Like] If you were to summarize it in a few words?

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1  
The last part shouldn't be a question. It should be an imperative statement. What is applied mathematics? Summarize it in a few words. You're asking a question and then giving instructions on how to answer it properly. – Phoenix Mar 13 '12 at 6:26
You need to set your question in a plausible context. Since I am a language teacher, it is highly unlikely that anyone would ask me to summarize applied mathematics. If they did, they would probably say: "If you were asked to summarize applied mathematics, what would you say?" A mathematics teacher on the other hand might be asked: "If you are asked to summarize applied mathematics in a few words, what do you say?" – Shoe Mar 13 '12 at 7:09
@Shoe- Thank you, makes sense now. Are my sentences grammatically correct? – Noah Mar 13 '12 at 7:47
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@Noah. The second "sentence" in each case is a dependent clause. A dependent clause cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. I suggest you reword your question to make a complex sentence in each case: Example: If you were to asked to summarize applied mathematics in a few words, what would you say? (PS. I don't see a difference between your examples 1 and 4.) – Shoe Mar 13 '12 at 9:19

1 Answer

up vote 2 down vote

Perhaps what you're looking for is:

What is applied mathematics? Can you summarize it in a few words?

or,

What is applied mathematics? Would you summarize it in a few words?

or, in the context of an exam question:

What is applied mathematics? Summarize it in a few words.

From the small snippet you've provided, I think either can you or would you would read better than if you, if you were, or if you are.

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Thanks. I am confused with the use of 'would' in your second example. Does it relate to a tense? Can we say 'will you'? What is the difference between the two? – Noah Mar 13 '12 at 11:51
"Will you" works, too. They're roughly the same. – J.R. Mar 13 '12 at 11:55

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