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Native English speakers only, how to say "you must test if the computer works"?

How would you say the sentence below? I think it is incorrect because "test" cannot be followed by a whether clause. Thanks.

1. Before the repairman leaves, you must test if the computer works.

12 Answers

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  • 3 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    Yeah that sounds right

  • 3 years ago

    1. Before the repairman leaves, test the computer to see if it is working properly.

  • 3 years ago

    examine

  • 3 years ago

    As a native English Speaker, I wouldn't say that at all.

    I would reword it to:-

    1. Before the repairman leaves, you should test the computer for fault, or faults!

    'Must' is incorrect here, because that would suggest a life or death situation. It isn't!

  • ?
    Lv 7
    3 years ago

    "test to see if the computer works"

    or

    "test whether the computer works"

    Most people would probably say "check to see that the computer works".

  • Anonymous
    3 years ago

    Wrong.

    It should be “whether”.

    Test can be followed by a whether clause.

  • Anonymous
    3 years ago

    Why do you think that "test" "cannot be followed by a whether clause"? Where the hell did you get that idiotic idea?

  • Anonymous
    3 years ago

    I would say:

    Before the repairman leaves, you must test that the computer works.

    or

    Before the repairman leaves, test that the computer works.

  • 3 years ago

    You don't need a comma.

    To be honest you should not have to test the computer that is the repairman's job (Lol)

  • ?
    Lv 7
    3 years ago

    Normally (informally) you would say

    - Before the repairman leaves you must test to see if the computer works.

    or

    - Before the repairman leaves you must test and see if the computer works.

    More formally you might say

    - Before the repairman leaves you should test the computer to make sure it works.

    or (better)

    - Before the repairman leaves you should test the computer to make sure it is functioning correctly.

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