CONDITIONAL SENTENCES (if-clause)

 

Conditional Sentences are sentences with two clauses, an ‘if clause’ and a main clause that are closely related. Conditional sentences are often divided into different types

· Conditional Sentence Type 1 : True in Present/Future Condition

Often called the "real" conditional because it is used for real or possible situations. These situations take place if a certain condition is met. It is possible and also very likely that the condition will be fulfilled.

Form:

If + Simple Present, + Simple Present/Simple Future

Use

Conditional Sentences Type 1 refer to the future and also talk about general truths, scientific facts or things which always happen under certain conditions. An action in the future will only happen if a certain condition is fulfilled by that time. We don't know for sure whether the condition actually will be fulfilled or not, but the conditions seems rather realistic – so we think it is likely to happen. In conditional sentences that express true, factual ideas in the present/or future, the simple present (not the simple future) is used in the if-clause. However, The Result clause has various possible forms. A result clause verb can be :

1. The simple present, to express a habitual activity or situation

Ex: If I have enough time, I watch the football match every evening.

2. Either the simple present, or the simple future, to express an established, predictable fact or general truth.

Ex: Water freezes or will freeze if the temperature reaches 32 °F/0 °C.

3. The simple future, to express a particular activity or situation in the future

Ex: If I have enough time, I'll watch the football match Tonight.

4. Modals and phrasal modals such as, should, might, can, be going to.

Ex: If it rains, we can’t go

If it rains, we’re going to stay home

5. An imperative verb (Kata perintah).

Ex: If anyone calls, please take a message.

Sometimes should is used in an if-clause. It indicates a little more uncertainty than the use of the simple present, but basically the meaning of (Example of Number 5) and (Example of this) is the same.

Ex: If anyone should call, please take a message.

· Conditional Sentences Type 2 : Untrue in the Present / Future Condition

Often called the "unreal" conditional because it is used for unreal impossible or improbable situations. This conditional provides an imaginary result for a given situation. It is very unlikely that the condition will be fulfilled.

Form:

if + Simple Past, + would + base verb

Were / Was

In conditional type 2, we usually use in the if clause "were" instead of "was" for both singular & plural subjects.Even if the pronoun is I, he, she or it. "were" here is a subjunctive form. But “was” is sometimes used in informal speech

Ex: If I was you, I’d accept their invitation.

If I were a millionaire, I would buy a castle

Use

Conditional Sentences Type 2 refer to an action in the present that could happen if the present situation were different. But, don't really expect the situation to change because it is very unlikely. Main clause and / or if clause might be negative. In first conditional sentences, the structure is usually if + present simple and will + infinitive. It’s not important which clause comes first.

Example :

If I had a lot of money, I would travel around the world.

If I won a lot of money I’d buy a big house in the country.

Where would you live if you could live anywhere in the world?

If you didn’t smoke so much you’d feel a lot better.

· Conditional Sentence Type 3 : Untrue in the Past

It is impossible that the condition will be met because it refers to the past.

Form:

if + Past Perfect, + would + have + Past Participle

Use

Conditional Sentences Type 3 refer to situations in the past. They express hypothetical results to past given situations. Please give a note that The auxiliary verbs are almost always contracted in speech.

Example

If he had been careful, he wouldn't have had that terrible accident

If I hadn’t studied, I wouldn’t have passed my exams.

If you’d told me, I would’ve helped you*

*In casual, informal speech, some native speakers sometimes use would have in an if-clause. “If you would’ve told me about the problem, I would’ve helped you. This verb form usage is generally considered not to be grammatically correct standard English, but it occurs fairly commonly.

REFERENCES

Azar, B.S (2002) Understanding and Using English Grammar, Third Edition with Answer Key New York : Pearson/Longman.

Cyssco,D.R (2001) Practical English Grammar & Daily Conversation. Jakarta: Puspa Swara.

http://esl.fis.edu/grammar/rules/cond.htm (accessed 3/10/2012 )

http://www.e-grammar.org/if-clauses/ (accessed 3/10/2012)