Kamis, 12 April 2012

CONDITIONAL SENTENCES


Do you understand what these sentences imply?
Do you know what they mean?
·       If I had had enough time in that test, I would have checked my paper again
·       I would buy you some stamps if I went to the post office
They are called conditional sentences. A conditional sentences consists of two clause, they are the if-clause and the main clause. The if-clause can come first or second. When it comes first, we usually put a comma between the two clauses.
There are 4 types of conditional sentences, including mixed conditional.
Ø TYPE 1
The if-clause is in the present tense, the main clause uses will and
the infinitive, or simple present.

Conditional Senteces Type 1
Type
If Clause
Main Clause
Meaning
Type 1
Simple Present
If you work hard,
Simple Present
You succeed
Simple Future
You will succeed
True in the present or possible in future
It’s possible to happen in the future
When do we use conditional sentences type 1?
a.     We use conditional sentence type 1 to talk about possible situations in the present or future.
o    If you leave earlier, you will not be late.
o    If you open the windows, the room will get some fresh air.
o    If you invite me, I will come to your party
b.    We often use conditional type 1 to talk about facts or processes:
o    If you heat water to 100 degrees, it will boil.
o    If we stare into the sun, we will hurt our eyes.
Note:
Other modal verbs can also be used in place of will and would.
o    If it rains like this all day, the river might flood. (might = will possibly)
o    If it rains like this all day, the river could flood. (could = will be able to)
Ø Type 2
The if-clause is in the simple past or the past continuous tense. The main clause uses would and the infinitive, or would be and the present participle (verb-ing).

Conditional Senteces Type 2
Type
If Clause
Main Clause
Meaning
Type 2
Simple Past
If you worked hard,
Past Continuous
If it were not raining now,
Would + simple form
You would succeed.
Would be + present participle
I would be going out for a walk
Untrue in the present
Fact: you don’t work hard, so you don’t succeed
Fact: it’s raining now, so I’m not going out for a walk
         
          When do we use conditional sentences type 2?
Conditional sentences type 2 is used to talk about actions or situations that are not talking place in the present or future, but we can imagine the probable  result.
o   If we didn’t live in a big city, we would not have to breathe polluted air everyday. (in truth, we live in a big city)
o   If he were here, I would tell him about my plan. (in fact, he isn’t here)
o   If I were you, I would accept him. (in fact, I’m not you, so I will not accept him)
Note:
·       Were’ is used for both singular and plural subjects.
·       The use of type 2 conditional in “if  I were you, I would…….. “ is a common form of advice.
Ø Type 3
The if-clause is in the past perfect or the past perfect continuous tense, the main clause uses would have and past participle (verb 3), or would have been and present participle (verb-ing).
Conditional Senteces Type 3
Type
If Clause
Main Clause
Meaning
Type 3
Past Perfect
If you had worked hard,
Past Perfect Continuous
If it had not been raining yesterday afternoon,
Would have + past participle
You would have succeeded.
Would have been + present participle
I would have been going out for a walk.
Untrue in the past
Fact: you didn’t work hard, so you didn’t succeed.
Fact: it was raining yesterday afternoon. I was not going out for a walk.

When do we use conditional sentences type 3?
Conditional sentences type 3 is used to talk about actions or situations that did not take or were not taking place in the past, but we can imagine the probable result.
o   If you had come to the party last night, you would have met my cousin. (in truth, you didn’t come to the party last night)
o   If he had not been late this morning, his teacher would not have punished him. (in truth, he was late)
o   If I had studied hard, I would have passed the exam. (in fact, I didn’t study hard, so I would not pass the exam)
Ø Type mixed
Mixed conditional sentences is a combination of conditional sentences type 2 and conditional sentences type 3.

Conditional Senteces Mixed Type
Type
If Clause
Main Clause
Meaning
Mixed
Type
Simple Past
If I were a bird,
Past Perfect
If you had worked hard,
Would have + past participle
I would have flown to your place last night.
Would + simple form
You would succeed.
Untrue in the present or future
Fact: I am not a bird, so I didn’t fly to your place.
Fact: you didn’t work hard. Now, you don’t succeed.
          When do we use mixed conditional sentences?
Mixed conditional sentences is used to talk about actions or situations that did not take or were not taking place in the past, but we can imagine the probable result in the present, or actions or situations that do not take place in the present, but we can imagine the probable result in the past.
o   If you lived near the factory, you would have heard the sound of the explosion. (in truth, you don’t live near the factory. Therefore, you didn’t hear the sound of the explosion.)
o   If he had not been late this morning, he would be permitted to join the test. (in truth, he was lat. Therefore, he is not permitted to join the test.)




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