CONDITIONALSENTENCES

PREPARED BYHemalatha. TSarumathi. GSindhu priya. S

1st – year, Ece-’b’.

Conditional Sentence is also called “IF- clause”.

Conditional sentencesstructure :• A conditional sentence is composed of two parts : If-clause + main clause

(When the If Clause goes first, it is followed by a comma, but you can also put the Main

Clause first without using a comma between the clauses.)

The if-clause can be at the beginning or at the middle of the sentence.

NOTE

Example:

If it rains tomorrow, we will not come.

Main clause

If-clause orSub-

ordinate clause

TYPES

1. Simple Present ( open/ probable condition)

2. Simple Past(hypothetical/ improbable)

3. Past Perfect(imaginary/ unfulfilled

condition)

There are three types :

OPEN / PROBABLE CONDITION.

USE : - It is possible to fulfil a condition

which is given in the if- clause.

TYPE ONE

Example

UNLESS is the opposite of “If”:

If she doesn’t call soon, I’ll be angry =

Unless she calls soon, I’ll be angry.

He will be late if he doesn’t hurry up =

He will be late unless he hurries up

TYPE TWO

Often called the "unreal" conditional because it is used for unreal - impossible or improbable - situations. This conditional provides an imaginary result for a given situation.

If + Past simple = would/could/might + verb

Example.

If - clause Main clause

If I studied, I would pass the exams.

If he were more intelligent,

He might get a better job.

if I were you - if I was you – which is correct?

- The word were in the phrase if I were you

is special form. It is known as the subjunctive mood (from the grammatical point of view).

- Today you also find the phrase if I was you. Here the Simple Past form of be is used. But there are people who say that this phrase is incorrect and would never use it (mainly Americans). Others say that this phrase can be used.

EXAMPLE:

If I were you I would phone him. - subjunctive mood

If I was you I would phone him. - Simple Past

Third conditional (imaginary/ unfulfilled condition)

Nature: unreal Time: Past (so we are talking

about a situation that was not so in the past.)

TYPE THREE

Example

If you had been here, she would have given it to you.

If he had tried, He would have found a new job.

Mixed Conditionals -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.

Past --> PresentIf I had taken an aspirin, I wouldn't have a

headache now. 

Past --> FutureIf I had known that you are going to come by tomorrow,

I would be in then. 

Present --> Past If she had enough money, she could have

done this trip to Hawaii.  

Present --> FutureIf I were you, I would be spending my

vacation in Seattle. 

Future --> PastIf I weren't flying to Detroit, I would have

planned a trip to Vancouver. 

Future --> PresentIf I were taking this exam next week, I would be

high-strung.

Replacing if : If can be replaced by words or expressions with a similar meaning.

The most common are:

-as long as -On condition (that) -unless -With the condition (that) - On the assumption(that)

Omitting if

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

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

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

if vs. when if and when are interchangeable when the

statement of the conditional clause is a fact or a general issue (also known as zero conditonal)

Example: if is used for something that, according to the speaker, might happen.when is used for something that, according to the speaker, will happen.

in case vs. ifin case of can be used to shorten an if-clause as shown

below: If there is a fire, leave the room.In case of fire, leave the room.While if expresses a condition (1), in case is used to

express a possibility (2).(1)I need painkillers if I'm in severe pain.(2)I need painkillers in case I'm in severe pain.The expression just in case is used pretty much the same

way.I got you a pizza just in case you were hungry.

(I don't know whether you are hungry.)

would in if-clauses

In polite requests would is possible in if-clauses.

It would be nice if you would help me in the kitchen. (Are you ready to help me in the kitchen?)