grammaticality - Can I use an "if" clause without "then"?


I have the following sentence:



If T had still been alive, there is the great possibility that either T or C ...



My teacher says that the word "then" must appear after the comma, but I think that it's implied and unnecessary. Who is right?



Answer



It is not necessary to use then to introduce the consequence of the if clause:



If you build it, they will come.


If it ain't broke, don't fix it.


If I give you five dollars a week, you'll have over $250 by the end of the year.



All those are grammatically correct and clear (even the one with ain't, which I threw in for a grin.).


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