Conditional Sentence

THE CONDITIONAL SENTENCES

Conditional sentences (If Clauses) are used in English to state a condition for the occurrence or existence of something.

            If you blend strawberries, the strawberries will be destroyed.

Here, the strawberries will be destroyed on the condition that you blend it.

There are three types of conditional sentences.

Conditional sentences type 1: probable (possibility)

1.      The verb in the if-clause is in the present tense; the verb in the main clause is in the future simple.
If+Subject+V(s/es)+Subject+Will+V₁
Example:

·         If he comes late in this interview, he will loss the opportunity to join with this company.

·         If you meet Tania, ask her to go to my house.

·         If you don’t study hard, you will get bad mark.

·         If you give your reasons, she won’t be angry.

·         If they ask you to their party, will you come?

·         If he asks you to marry, will you accept him?

2.      Possible variations of the basic form

a.       Variations of the main clause

If + present + may/might (possibility)

·         If this meeting is over, we may go home.

·         If you get good grades, you may vacation to China.

If + present + may (permission) or can (permission or ability)

·         If it stops raining we can go out.

·         If you finish your assignment we can watch movie.

If + present + must, should or any expression of command, request or advice

·         If you want to go out, you must ask permission to your dad.

·         If you see Bian tomorrow would you ask him to call me?

If +present + another present tense

If + two present tenses is used to express automatic or habitual results:

·         If you chill the water, it turns to ice.

·         If you drop a glass, it will shatter.

b.      Variations of the if-clause

If + present continuous, to indicate a present action or a future arrangement.

·         If you are looking for your book, you’ll find it on the table.

·         If you are going to library, I’ll accompany you.

If + present perfect

·         If she has read the book, I’ll borrow it.

·         If you have finished your meeting, I’ll pick you up.

For example:

·         If he walks he’ll not get an accident. 

·         Animals die if they don’t get water and foods.

·         The cats will scratch you if you disturb their activities.

·         If your meals are cooked, you may serve it.

·         If it still snowing we can go out for ice scatting.

·         If you want to win this match, you must work hard.

·         If you want to buy something, you must ask your mom to pay it.

·         If you’re waiting for me, you’d better wait in my room.

·         If Indra is looking for his shoes, he’ll find in the family room.

·         If they have spare time, we’d better go to library today.

Conditional sentences type 2

1.      The verb in the if-clause is in the past tense; the verb in the main clause is in the conditional tense

·         If I had a car, I would pick you up.

·         If my mother tried to wake my young brother, he would cry loudly.

2.      Type 2 is used:

a.       When the supposition is contrary to known facts:

·         If I rode a motorcycle, I’d be in time for meeting. (But I don’t ride motorcycle.)

·         If I were rich, I’d buy some skirts for you. (But I don’t rich.)

b.      When we don’t expect the action in the if-clause to take place:

·         If you came to my house, I’d make you cakes. (But I don’t expect you to come in.)

·         If I wore colorful clothes, everyone would laugh at me. (But I don’t intend to wear it.)

c.       Sometimes, rather confusingly, type 2 can be used as an alternative to type 1 for perfectly possible plans and suggestions:

·         Will Toni be in time if he rides motorcycle?

·         Will you marry me if I have a job?

3.      Possible variations of the basic form

a.       Variations of the main clause

·         If you worked again, you would finish.

·         If I knew your house I could come to yours.

b.      Variations of he if-clause

Instead of if + simple past we can have:

If + past continuous

·         I hate traveling. If we were staying at home I’d feel much happier.

·         If my motorcycle was working I would drive you to the supermarket.

If + past perfect

·          If she had taken my advice she would be a winner now.

·         If she had finished her task she would be free now.

For example:

·         If I had much money, I would treat you.

·         If someone tried to get closer with me, I would tell my mother.

·         If I were you, I’d spend my holiday to traveling.

·         If I were twenty fifth years old, I’d marry with a beautiful woman.

·         If a thief came into my house at night, I’d scream.

·         If my mother didn’t go to Holland for shopping, I’d pleasure.

·         Will you accept me if I say that I love you?

·         Will you angry with me if I say the truth?

·         If you prepared the materials you would succeed in this exam.

·         If you had taken the umbrella you would not get wet.

Conditional sentences type 3

For example:

·         If I known that you were coming I would have make delicious meals for you.

·         At the time of the heavy rain I was sleeping in my mothers’ room. If my friends had not been using my room I would have been sleeping there.

·         I was finishing my task. If I hadn’t been finishing it I’d have been bad mark.

·         If you had prepared the materials this presentation would not have delayed.

·         If you will wait the minutes I’ll make sure if my father is free.

·         If she won’t meet me I’ll send him a letter.

·         If I would like to come he’ll get an armful of roses for me.

·         If you should have any problems in turning on this refrigerator call this number.

·         If my mother was here she’d known what to cook.

·         I won’t give up for you even if the problems come in.