Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[missdaredevil]

1. After-sale*s* service.
Why is that plural?


2.If *ever* you take something back to be exchanged, if you decide in the end you don't like it,......


Sorry I don't understand that.

Thanks to you all

[CP]

1. I think sometimes it is singular and sometimes plural -- after-sale service and after-sales service -- but there is no good reason for it to be used in the plural. Somebody probably liked the sound of it and used it first, and now lots of people do. That is my guess.

2. It means, "If at any time in the future you take something back to be exchanged, . . . ."

Putting "ever" right after "if" is fine. Here are some examples of equivalent sentences:

If I ever buy another Hoover vacuum cleaner, please shoot me.
If ever I buy another Hoover vacuum cleaner, please shoot me.
If at any time I buy another Hoover vacuum cleaner, please shoot me.


If you ever change your mind, the job is yours.
If ever you change your mind, the job is yours.
If you change your mind at any time, the job is yours.
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