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- Har Wai Li
- kampar, ipoh, Malaysia
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Sunday 2 October 2011
Conditional sentences in English
- Conditional sentences (if-clauses, main clauses)
Conditional sentences
The conditional sentences are sometimes confusing for learners of English.Watch out:
1) Which type of the conditional sentences is used?
2) Where is the if-clause (e.g. at the beginning or at the end of the conditional sentence)?
There are three types of the if-clauses.
type | condition |
---|---|
I | condition possible to fulfill |
II | condition in theory possible to fulfill |
III | condition not possible to fulfill (too late) |
Form
type | if clause | main clause |
---|---|---|
I | Simple Present | will-future (or Modal + infinitive) |
II | Simple Past | would + infinitive * |
III | Past Perfect | would + have + past participle * |
Examples (if-clause at the beginning)
type | if clause | main clause |
---|---|---|
I | If I study, | I will pass the exam. |
II | If I studied, | I would pass the exam. |
III | If I had studied, | I would have passed the exam. |
Examples (if-clause at the end)
type | main clause | if-clause |
---|---|---|
I | I will pass the exam | if I study. |
II | I would pass the exam | if I studied. |
III | I would have passed the exam | if I had studied. |
Examples (affirmative and negative sentences)
type | Examples | ||
---|---|---|---|
long forms | short/contracted forms | ||
I | + | If I study, I will pass the exam. | If I study, I'll pass the exam. |
- | If I study, I will not fail the exam. If I do not study, I will fail the exam. | If I study, I won't fail the exam. If I don't study, I'll fail the exam. | |
II | + | If I studied, I would pass the exam. | If I studied, I'd pass the exam. |
- | If I studied, I would not fail the exam. If I did not study, I would fail the exam. | If I studied, I wouldn't fail the exam. If I didn't study, I'd fail the exam. | |
III | + | If I had studied, I would have passed the exam. | If I'd studied, I'd have passed the exam. |
- | If I had studied, I would not have failed the exam. If I had not studied, I would have failed the exam. | If I'd studied, I wouldn't have failed the exam. If I hadn't studied, I'd have failed the exam. |
I would pass the exam. |
I could pass the exam. |
I might pass the exam. |
I may pass the exam. |
I should pass the exam. |
I must pass the exam. |
Conditional sentences - Special types and structures
- Conditional sentences (if-clauses, main clauses)
Structure
If-clauses can be clause-initial (1), clause-medial (2) as well as clause-final (3).(1) | If you like, we can catch a movie. |
(2) | We, if you like, can catch a movie. |
(3) | We can catch a movie if you like. |
Types
Aside from the typical type I, II, III strucure, conditionals can be divided into two categories:real and unreal conditionals.
Real Condition
If I have money, I spend it. | Present Real Conditional - type I |
If I had money, I spent it. | Past Real Conditional - type I |
If I have money, I will/am going to spend it. | Future Real Conditional - type I |
Unreal Condition
If I had had money, I would have spent it. | Past unreal Conditional - type III | |
If I had money, I would spend it. | I think about spending the money TODAY. | Present unreal Conditional - type II |
If I had money, I would spend it. | I think about spending the money NEXT WEEK. | Future unreal Conditional - type II |
Special Features
Modal verbs
Main clauses with real conditional tenses can have modal verbs.If I have money, I can spend it. |
If I had money, I could spend it. (I would be able to spend it.) | ||||||||
If I had money, I might spend it. (I would possibly spend it.) |
Mixed Conditionals
- Conditional sentences (if-clauses, main clauses)
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 --> Present |
---|
If I had taken an aspirin, I wouldn't have a headache now. |
Past --> Future |
---|
If 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 --> Future |
---|
If I were you, I would be spending my vacation in Seattle. |
Future --> Past |
---|
If I weren't flying to Detroit, I would have planned a trip to Vancouver. |
Future --> Present | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
If I were taking this exam next week, I would be high-strung. |
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