Conditional Sentences

Structure :
A conditional sentence is composed of 2 parts :

If-clause + Main Clause

Example :

If it rains tomorrow, we will not come.

If-clause Main Clause

 Conditional Sentences

Types :

 There are 4 types of conditional sentences.

They are classified according to their specific
implications.

 Each type of conditional sentences

uses different tenses to show the
difference in their implications.
 Conditional Sentences

Type 0 :

Use Talk about universal truth.

Present tense in both clauses
Te:nse
:
Exa Present Tense Present Tense
mple
:
If you heat the water to 100°C, it
boils.
 Conditional Sentences
Type 1

Use : Talk about a present or future probable case.

Tense : If-clause ~ Present Tense

Main Clause ~ Future Tense
Example :

Present Tense Future Tense

If I feel sick, I will not go to school.

If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.
IF CLAUSE ELIZABETH VALENZUELA
 Exercise One

1. If you do n_o_t (not come),

come
You w_il_l_m_i_s (miss ) the show.

_s
1. John wil_l (buy)a car if he

_ b_u(get)a
_ y job.
g_e_t_s

1. Mary gets (get) a toothache if

she e _a (eat) too many sweets.
IF CLAUSE

_ts
 Conditional Sentences

Type 2 (Present Subjunctive)

Use : Talk about a present or future improbable
case. (A case that is unlikely to happen)
Tense : If-clause ~ Past Tense
Main Clause ~ would + an infinitive
Example :
Past Tense Would + infinitive

If I had $200.000 now, I would buy a car.

 Conditional Sentences

Type 3 (Past Subjunctive)

Use Talk about a past, impossible case
:
Tense : If-clause ~ Past Perfect Tense
Main Clause ~ Would + Present Perfect Form
Example :
Past Perfect Tense Would + Present Perfect
Form

If I had had enough money, I would have bought the

camera yesterday.
If I had come home earlier, I would not have missed
programme.
 Exercise Two

1. If w _e _ (be) four years old, I

I re
(learn) to play the piano.
w_o_u_l_d_l_e
1. If I h_a_d n_ot (not fail) in the
a_rn
fa_examination,
i_le_d my
mother_w_o_u_l_d_h_a_v_e_b_ought (buy)

3. Wme
_ a n e w
_ _ _ h_
_ ao_
_ d
cu ho_dla_m_hp(have)
__ _ au_vtbetter
_ preparation.
e_rf._n
i _i_s_h_e
IF CLAUSE ELIZABETH VALENZUELA

_d (finish)
d if we
 Conditional Sentences

Variations: SHOULD may

replace IF in type 1
Type
1If: you see John, ask him to come and see me.

Should you see John, ask him to come and see me.
Type 2 : COULD
replace or MIGHT may
WOULD
If I were an aeroplane, I could fly in the sky.
Were I an aeroplane, I could fly in the sky.

WERE may replace IF in an

inversion
 Conditional Sentences

Type 3 :
If I had come home earlier, I would not have
missed the programme.

Had I come home earlier, I would not have

the
missed
programme.
HAD may replace IF in an
inversion
 Conditional Sentences
But for+ a noun may
Type 2 & Type 3 : replace `If it were not for’

If it were not for the rain, we would go to Shatin.

(Type 2)
But for the rain, we would go to Shatin.

If it had not been for the traffic jam, we would have

arrived on time. (Type 3)
But for the traffic jam, we would have arrived on
time.
IF CLAUSE But for + a noun may
`IELfIZAiBtETHhVAaLEdNZUnELAot
replace
 The Subjunctive Mood

Other sentences than the conditional may bear the

subjunctive mood.
Type 2 Type 3
a. Wish (v)
I wish I were a king

* Non-subjunctive use of wish

 I wish to travel to Europe next year
 We wish you a happy birthday.
 The Subjunctive Mood

b. If only
Type 2

If only I were you! Type 2

If only he were born in the USA! (He was not born
in USA)

If only she had left last night! (She did not leave
last night)
Type 3

IF CLAUSE
 The Subjunctive Mood

b. Would rather Type 2

I would rather you came earlier. (But you come

late.)
Type 3
I would rather he had told me the secret. (But he
didn’t.)
* Non-subjunctive use of would rather
A : Do you want to go fishing today?
B : I would rather stay at home and take some rest.
(B prefers staying at home to going fishing)
IF CLAUSE
 The Subjunctive Mood

d. Lest (Conjunction)

He put the money in the safe lest someone

should / might steal it.
Past Tense
e. It is (high) time
 It is (high) time you studied hard.
(You have not studied hard. Now the
examination is near, so you have to study very
hard.)

IF CLAUSE
 It is time for you to leave (non-subjunctive)