"then you can" vs "You have to tell"

Question

"then you can" vs "You have to tell"

The phrases 'you have to tell' and 'then you can' are not directly comparable as they serve different purposes. 'You have to tell' is used to express an obligation or requirement, while 'then you can' is used to indicate a sequence of events or actions. They are not interchangeable in most contexts.

Last Updated: March 20, 2024

This phrase is used to show that one action is dependent on another, with the second action being possible only after the first one has been completed.

Examples:

Finish your homework, then you can go out to play.
First, you need to study hard; then you can pass the exam.
Clean your room, then you can watch TV.
Eat your vegetables, then you can have dessert.
Complete the project, then you can take a break.

Alternatives:

after that, you can
once you do that, you can
when you finish that, you can
subsequently, you can
following that, you can

This phrase is used when someone is required to share information with others. It implies a sense of necessity or duty to communicate something.

Examples:

You have to tell the truth.
You have to tell me what happened.
You have to tell your parents about the situation.
You have to tell the police everything you know.
You have to tell your boss about the mistake.

Alternatives:

you must tell
you need to tell
you should tell
you are required to tell
you are obligated to tell

Answer 1

then you can

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate a sequence of events or actions, where the second action can only happen after the first one.

Answer 2

You have to tell

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express an obligation or requirement for someone to communicate information.

"then you can" vs "You have to tell"

then you can

You have to tell

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