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Conditional Type I: If Clause Main Clause
Conditional Type I: If Clause Main Clause
Use
It is possible to fulfil a condition which is given in the if-clause.
Form
if clause
main clause
Simple Present
will-future
or
infinitive
or
Modal + infinitive
Examples
If I study,
if I study.
Replacing if
If can be replaced by words or expressions with a similar meaning.
The most common are:
as long as
assuming (that)
on condition (that)
on the assumption (that)
provided (that)
supposing (that)
unless
with the condition (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)
If you heat ice, it melts.
When you heat ice, it melts.
if is used for something that, according to the speaker, might happen.
We can spend the afternoon on the beach if the weather is fine.
when is used for something that, according to the speaker, will happen.
I will clean up the kitchen right away when I'm back from work.
in case vs. if
in case of can be used to shorten an if-clause as shown below:
If there is a fire, leave the room.
(2)
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.)