Conditional Sentences

Structure :A conditional sentence is composed of 2 parts :

If-clause + Main ClauseExample :

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.Tense :

Present tense in both clausesExample :

If you heat water to 100°C, it boils.

Present Tense Present Tense

If you pour oil into water, it floats.

Conditional Sentences

Type 1Use : Talk about a present or future probable

case.Tense : If-clause ~ Present TenseMain Clause ~ Future Tense

Example :

If I feel sick, I will not go to school.Present Tense Future Tense

If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.

Exercise One

1. If you ___________________ (not come), You ________________ (miss ) the show.

do not come

will miss

2. John __________________ (buy)a car if he

_____________ (get)a job.

will buy

gets

3. Mary ________________(get) a toothache if

she_________________ (eat) too many sweets.

gets

eats

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 infinitiveExample :

If he were a bird, he would fly across the harbour.

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 TenseMain Clause ~ Would + Present Perfect FormExample :

If I had had enough money, I would have bought the camera yesterday.

Past Perfect Tense Would + Present Perfect Form

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

Exercise Two

1. If I ________________ (be) four years old, I

________________ (learn) to play the piano.

were

would learn

2. If I ________________ (not fail) in the examination, my mother_______________

(buy) me a new computer.

had not failedwould have bought

3. We ________________________ (finish) if we

________________ (have) better preparation.

would have finished

had had

Conditional Sentences

Variations:Type 1 :If you see John, ask him to come and see me.Should you see John, ask him to come and see me.

SHOULD may replace IF in type 1

Type 2 :

If I were an aeroplane, I could fly in the sky.Were I an aeroplane, I could fly in the sky.

COULD or MIGHT may replace WOULD

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 missed the programme.

HAD may replace IF in an inversion

Conditional Sentences

Type 2 & Type 3 :

If it were not for the rain, we would go to Shatin. (Type 2)But for the rain, we would go to Shatin.

But for+ a noun may replace `If it were not for’

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. But for + a noun may

replace `If it had not been for’

The Subjunctive Mood

Other sentences than the conditional may bear the subjunctive mood.a. Wish (v)

I wish I were a king.

(But I am not!)I wish she had left last

night.(But she didn’t!)

Type 2 Type 3

* 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

If only I were you!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 2

Type 2

Type 3

The Subjunctive Mood

b. Would rather

I would rather you came earlier.

(But you come late.)

Type 2

I would rather he had told me the secret.

(But he didn’t.)

Type 3

* Non-subjunctive use of would ratherA : 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)

The Subjunctive Mood

d. Lest (Conjunction)He put the money in the safe lest someone should / might steal it.

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.)

Past Tense

It is time for you to leave

(non-subjunctive)

END