CONDITIONAL CONDITIONAL SENTENCESSENTENCES

STRUCTURESTRUCTURE

In grammar,conditional sentences are sentences In grammar,conditional sentences are sentences discussing factual implications or hypothetical implications discussing factual implications or hypothetical implications and their consequences. Languages use a variety of and their consequences. Languages use a variety of conditional constructions and verb forms (such as the conditional constructions and verb forms (such as the conditional mood)to form this kind of sentences.conditional mood)to form this kind of sentences.

Full conditional sentences contain two clauses, the Full conditional sentences contain two clauses, the conditioncondition or protasis and the or protasis and the consequenceconsequence or apodosis. or apodosis.

““If it rains [condition], (then) the picnic will be cancelled If it rains [condition], (then) the picnic will be cancelled [consequence]”.[consequence]”.

Syntactically, the result is the main clause, and the Syntactically, the result is the main clause, and the condition is a subordinate clause. condition is a subordinate clause.

TYPESTYPES

ZERO CONDITIONAL : ZERO CONDITIONAL :

PROBABLE CONDITONPROBABLE CONDITON

zero conditional sentence consists of two clauses, an "if" clause and a zero conditional sentence consists of two clauses, an "if" clause and a main clause main clause

STRUCTURE: If + present simple tense,  present simple tenseSTRUCTURE: If + present simple tense,  present simple tense

They are used to state general rules. To generalize or give facts. To talk They are used to state general rules. To generalize or give facts. To talk about something which is temporarily true or always trueabout something which is temporarily true or always true

““If you heat water to 100 degrees, it boils”.If you heat water to 100 degrees, it boils”.

If the "if" clause comes first, a comma is usually used. If the "if" clause If the "if" clause comes first, a comma is usually used. If the "if" clause comes second, there is no need for a comma: comes second, there is no need for a comma:

““Water boils if you heat it to 100 degrees”.Water boils if you heat it to 100 degrees”.

NOTE: Other tenses as present continuous can be used.NOTE: Other tenses as present continuous can be used.““If your muscle hurts, you are probably doing to much exercise”.If your muscle hurts, you are probably doing to much exercise”.

FIRST CONDITIONAL: FIRST CONDITIONAL:

PROBABLE CONDITIONPROBABLE CONDITION

The 1st conditional The 1st conditional is used to speculate about the future consequences of is used to speculate about the future consequences of a specific event. In this case, the verb in the second part of the sentence is a specific event. In this case, the verb in the second part of the sentence is

preceded by preceded by willwill.. GENERAL STRUCTURE:GENERAL STRUCTURE: If + present simple tense,   will + bare infinitiveIf + present simple tense,   will + bare infinitive

““IfIf they offer a good price, we they offer a good price, we willwill buy the whole consignment”. buy the whole consignment”.

You can use any present tense in the if-clause, and any future tense in the other clause.

“I´ll have finished in an hour if you don´t disturbe me”“If you are not going, I´m not going to go either”.

COMMON MISTAKE:COMMON MISTAKE: We do not use We do not use the futurethe future in the in the ifif part of the sentence. part of the sentence.

““I am flying to the States tonight. I'll give you a ring I am flying to the States tonight. I'll give you a ring ifif I can find a phone”. I can find a phone”. (The speaker is not sure if he will be able to find a phone or not.) (The speaker is not sure if he will be able to find a phone or not.) In a sentence with an In a sentence with an ifif-clause we can use the imperative, or other modal -clause we can use the imperative, or other modal verbs, instead of verbs, instead of willwill + infinitive + infinitive

““If you hear from Susan today, If you hear from Susan today, telltell her to ring me.” her to ring me.” “If the traffic is bad, I “If the traffic is bad, I maymay get home late”. get home late”.

The 1st conditional is usually used in the The 1st conditional is usually used in the following cases: following cases:

Contingency plans, considering events Contingency plans, considering events that may/may not occur (If I feel too that may/may not occur (If I feel too excited to sleep, I'll try reading one of our excited to sleep, I'll try reading one of our reports) reports)

Company forecast; degrees of certainty; Company forecast; degrees of certainty; project planning,…project planning,…

SECOND CONDITIONAL: SECOND CONDITIONAL:

IMPROBABLE CONDITIONIMPROBABLE CONDITION

The The 2nd conditional2nd conditional can be used to refer to less probable or impossible can be used to refer to less probable or impossible situations. The verb in the second part is preceeded by situations. The verb in the second part is preceeded by would / should / would / should / could / mightcould / might.. The The if if-clause can come in the first part of the sentence, or -clause can come in the first part of the sentence, or the second. the second.

STRUCTURE:STRUCTURE: If + past tense,  would  +  infinitiveIf + past tense,  would  +  infinitive

“ “If I knew her number, I would send her a fax/I would send her a fax if I If I knew her number, I would send her a fax/I would send her a fax if I knew her number”.knew her number”.

COMMON MISTAKE: COMMON MISTAKE: We do not use We do not use wouldwould in the in the ifif part of the sentence. part of the sentence.

““IfIf these machines these machines were notwere not so expensive, we would buy them. / so expensive, we would buy them. / IfIf we we hiredhired a lawyer, we would recover our debts easily/ a lawyer, we would recover our debts easily/IfIf I I lostlost my job my job tomorrow, I would move to London to find the same kind of job.”tomorrow, I would move to London to find the same kind of job.”

The first two sentences refer to present situation, and imagining a situation The first two sentences refer to present situation, and imagining a situation that is different from the reality. In the third we are talking about a that is different from the reality. In the third we are talking about a possible event in the future, but using second conditional we make it possible event in the future, but using second conditional we make it clear that we do not really think it will happen. clear that we do not really think it will happen.

The 2nd conditional is usually used in the The 2nd conditional is usually used in the following cases:following cases:

Stating preferences Stating preferences Supposing : “If I were 10 years younger, I'd take Supposing : “If I were 10 years younger, I'd take

the job”. the job”. Unusual circumstances: “I would / might join the Unusual circumstances: “I would / might join the

army, if there was a war”. army, if there was a war”.

NOTE:NOTE: If we think that a future event is reasonably If we think that a future event is reasonably likely, we use first conditional. If we are talking likely, we use first conditional. If we are talking about an event that is unlikely or impossible, we about an event that is unlikely or impossible, we use the second conditionaluse the second conditional

THIRD CONDITIONAL:THIRD CONDITIONAL:

IMPOSSIBLE CONDITIONIMPOSSIBLE CONDITION

The The 3rd conditional3rd conditional is used when talking about things that didn't is used when talking about things that didn't happen in the past (and the consequence if they had happened). The happen in the past (and the consequence if they had happened). The verb in the second part is used with verb in the second part is used with would / should / could / might (+ would / should / could / might (+ have + past participle)have + past participle)..

STRUCTURE: If + past perfect tense, would  +  present perfectSTRUCTURE: If + past perfect tense, would  +  present perfect

IF    +    HAD DONE,    WOULD     +    HAVE DONEIF    +    HAD DONE,    WOULD     +    HAVE DONE

““If I'd known it was a formal party, I wouldn't have gone If I'd known it was a formal party, I wouldn't have gone wearing jeans and a jumper. I would have worn a suit.”wearing jeans and a jumper. I would have worn a suit.”

Positive and negative:Positive and negative: When we use the 3rd conditional we are When we use the 3rd conditional we are imagining the opposite situation. If what actually happened was imagining the opposite situation. If what actually happened was negative, we use a positive form. If what actually happened was negative, we use a positive form. If what actually happened was positive, we use a negative form: positive, we use a negative form:

““If my client had given me her fax number, I wouldn't have had to post a If my client had given me her fax number, I wouldn't have had to post a letter to her”. letter to her”.

““If I'd known it was a formal party, I wouldn't have gone wearing jeans If I'd known it was a formal party, I wouldn't have gone wearing jeans and a jumper”. and a jumper”.

MIXED CONDITIONALSMIXED CONDITIONALSUnreal conditionals (type II + III) sometimes can be mixed, that is, the Unreal conditionals (type II + III) sometimes can be mixed, that is, the

time of the if clause is different from the one of the main clause.time of the if clause is different from the one of the main clause.

Past --> Present: Past --> Present: If I If I had takenhad taken an aspirin, I an aspirin, I wouldn't havewouldn't have a a headache now.headache now.

Past --> Future: Past --> Future: If I If I had knownhad known that you are going to come by that you are going to come by tomorrow, I tomorrow, I would bewould be in then. in then.

Present --> Past: Present --> Past: If she If she hadhad enough money, she enough money, she could have donecould have done this trip to Hawaii.this trip to Hawaii.

Present --> Future: Present --> Future: If I If I werewere you, I you, I would be spendingwould be spending my my vacation in Seattle.vacation in Seattle.

Future --> Past: Future --> Past: If I If I weren't flyingweren't flying to Detroit, I to Detroit, I would have would have plannedplanned a trip to Vancouver a trip to Vancouver..

Future --> Present: Future --> Present: If I If I were takingwere taking this exam next week, I this exam next week, I would would bebe high-strung. high-strung.

VARIATIONSVARIATIONS

VARIATIONSVARIATIONS UNLESS UNLESS means the same as means the same as if ... not.if ... not. It always refers It always refers

to the conditional part of the sentence and not the result to the conditional part of the sentence and not the result part of the sentence: part of the sentence:

““IfIf he doesn't he doesn't getget here soon, we will have to start the here soon, we will have to start the meeting without him.” meeting without him.” ““UnlessUnless he gets here soon, we will he gets here soon, we will have to start the meeting without him”.have to start the meeting without him”.

We often use We often use not + unlessnot + unless, which means , which means only ... ifonly ... if, , when we want to emphasize a condition: when we want to emphasize a condition:

““They They will only signwill only sign the contract the contract ifif we give them an we give them an additional discount / They additional discount / They won't signwon't sign the contract the contract unlessunless we give them an additional discount.” we give them an additional discount.”

IFIF and and IN CASE:IN CASE: We use We use in casein case to talk about to talk about precautions we will take before a problem happens. We precautions we will take before a problem happens. We use use ifif to talk about what we will do after a problem to talk about what we will do after a problem happens: happens:

““We are going to insure the shipment We are going to insure the shipment in casein case the goods get the goods get damaged in transit”.damaged in transit”. (We will take our insurance first; the problem may or may (We will take our insurance first; the problem may or may not happen afterwards.)not happen afterwards.)

“ “IfIf the goods get damaged in transit, we'll make a claim”. the goods get damaged in transit, we'll make a claim”. (The damage may happen, and we will make a claim (The damage may happen, and we will make a claim afterward.)afterward.)

Note: Do not confuse it with Note: Do not confuse it with in case ofin case of, that you sometimes , that you sometimes see in notices. E.g. In case of fire, break glass.see in notices. E.g. In case of fire, break glass.

MORE VARIATIONSMORE VARIATIONS

PROVIDEDPROVIDED vs vs AS LONG ASAS LONG AS, etc., etc.

We can use We can use provided that/providing,provided that/providing, as long asas long as, and, and so long as so long as when we want to emphasize condition. when we want to emphasize condition. Provided thatProvided that and and as long as long asas mean mean if if and and only ifonly if ( (providingproviding and and so long asso long as are a little less are a little less formal): formal):

““I will agree to these conditions I will agree to these conditions provided thatprovided that they increase my they increase my salary”.salary”. (I will only agree if they give me more money.) (I will only agree if they give me more money.)

““The strike will be successful The strike will be successful as long asas long as we all stay together”. we all stay together”. (It will only succeed if we all stay together.)(It will only succeed if we all stay together.)

Other similar variations are: Other similar variations are: assuming (that); on condition (that); assuming (that); on condition (that); on the assumption (that); supposing (that);with the condition on the assumption (that); supposing (that);with the condition (that).(that).

SO THAT:SO THAT: We use We use so thatso that to say what the result or purpose of an to say what the result or purpose of an action will be: action will be:

““I'll take a credit card I'll take a credit card so thatso that we don't run out of money”. we don't run out of money”. (The credit card will stop us from running out of money) (The credit card will stop us from running out of money)

OTHEROTHER CASESCASES EVEN IF EVEN IF describes how sth. will happen whatever the describes how sth. will happen whatever the

condition condition ““Even if it rains, we´ll still go for a picnic”.Even if it rains, we´ll still go for a picnic”.

SHOULD/WERE TO SHOULD/WERE TO make an event seem more unlikely make an event seem more unlikely and hypothetical:and hypothetical:

““If you should see Ann, could you ask her to call If you should see Ann, could you ask her to call me?”me?” (It implies that I do not expect to see Ann) (It implies that I do not expect to see Ann)

““If I were to ask you to marry me, what would you If I were to ask you to marry me, what would you say?”say?”

HAPPEN TOHAPPEN TO emphasises chance posibilities emphasises chance posibilities ““If you happen to see Mark, could you tell him to If you happen to see Mark, could you tell him to

give me a call?”give me a call?”

IF IT WERE NOT FOR/IF IT HADN´T BEEN FORIF IT WERE NOT FOR/IF IT HADN´T BEEN FOR describe describe how one event depends on another how one event depends on another

““If it weren´t for Mary, this house would be a mess”If it weren´t for Mary, this house would be a mess”

WILL/WOULD:WILL/WOULD: politeness and emphasis politeness and emphasis““If you will/would wait here, I´ll see if Mr Morgan is If you will/would wait here, I´ll see if Mr Morgan is

free”.free”.““If you will stay out late, no wonder you are tired!”If you will stay out late, no wonder you are tired!”

(insist on staying out)(insist on staying out)

BUT FORBUT FOR can be replaced by if not. It´s used in formal can be replaced by if not. It´s used in formal language, and must be followed by a noun form.language, and must be followed by a noun form.

““But for your help, we wouldn´t have been able to But for your help, we wouldn´t have been able to do it!”do it!”

(If you hadn´t helped us, we wouldn´t have been able to do (If you hadn´t helped us, we wouldn´t have been able to do it!).it!).

IF AND ADJECTIVES:IF AND ADJECTIVES: In expressions such as if is In expressions such as if is necessary/possible, it is possible to omit the verb be.necessary/possible, it is possible to omit the verb be.

““If interested, apply within / If necessary, take a taxi”.If interested, apply within / If necessary, take a taxi”.

OMITTING IFOMITTING IFInversion is used when “if” is omitted:Inversion is used when “if” is omitted:

Had I known... (instead of: If I had Had I known... (instead of: If I had known...) known...)

Were you my daughter,... (instead of: If Were you my daughter,... (instead of: If you were my daughter,...) you were my daughter,...)

Should you need my advice,... (instead Should you need my advice,... (instead of: If you should need my advice,...)of: If you should need my advice,...)

PRACTICEPRACTICE http://www.englishpage.com/conditional/cohttp://www.englishpage.com/conditional/co

nditionalintro.htmlnditionalintro.html http://www.imparareinglese.co.uk/esercizi_http://www.imparareinglese.co.uk/esercizi_

inglese/second_third_mixed_conditional.htinglese/second_third_mixed_conditional.htmlml

http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/410http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/410/grammar/allcnd1.htm/grammar/allcnd1.htm

http://www.rn.ac.th/english/sopa/conditionhttp://www.rn.ac.th/english/sopa/conditionalsentences/conMixex.htmalsentences/conMixex.htm

FUTURE TIME CLAUSESFUTURE TIME CLAUSES

TIME EXPRESSIONSTIME EXPRESSIONS

As soon asAs soon as WhenWhen UntilUntil UnlessUnless BeforeBefore AfterAfter In caseIn case

After these time expressions, even though you After these time expressions, even though you are talking about the future, you need to use a are talking about the future, you need to use a present tense (simple, continuous, perfect)present tense (simple, continuous, perfect)

We´ll be able to leave We´ll be able to leave as soon asas soon as I lock the front I lock the front door.door.

I´ll ring you I´ll ring you whenwhen I get there. I get there.

I´ll be back I´ll be back beforebefore you know. you know.