Conditionals
Conditionals are "if" or "unless" sentences. They
suggest that one action must occur before a second one.
(Note: "unless" means "if. . . not.") There are five
basic types of conditionals.
Habitual Actions
This is used to show that every time one action occurs, the
second one follows. Or, if used with negatives, it means
that if one action doesn't happen, the other action also
doesn't happen.
If . . . present tense . . . , (then) . . . present
tense. . . .
If I drink too much coffee, (then) I get a
headache. (Every time)
If he lies to his mother, he gets punished.
(Every time)
Unless he has his bottle, he doesn't fall
asleep.
If he doesn't have his bottle, he doesn't
fall asleep. (Never happens)
Possible Present/Future Actions
This is used to show that after one action occurs (now or
in the future), another action is possible. and both actions
are possible. Note construction that suggests a future
time can be used: will, might, can, be going to
If . . . present tense . . . , (then). . . future . .
. .
If I save money for the next two months, I will take a
trip.
(I might save money, so I might take a
trip.)
If I study hard, I can pass the test.
(I might study, so I might pass the test.)
If she lies to me again, I'm going to leave her.
(It's possible she will lie, so it's possible
that I will leave.)
Unless I work harder, I won't get a raise.
If I don't work harder, I won't get a raise.
(I might not work harder, so I might not get a
raise.)
Impossible Present/Future Actions--Contrary to Fact
This is used to imagine an action that is contrary to fact,
or opposite of what is true, and will not happen. Note:
even though the past tense is used, this does not refer to
past events.
If. . . past tense . . . (then). . .could/would . . .
.
If I studied harder, I could get a good
grade. (I don't intend to study.)
If she waited, she would take the bus.
(She won't wait.)
If she cared about me, she would help me.
(She doesn't care.)
Impossible Present/Future Situations--Contrary to Fact
This is also used to imagine a situation that is contrary
to fact and wilol not happen, but it uses the verb BE in the
"if" clause in the subjunctive form of "were," regardless of
the subject.
If . . .WERE. . .(then) . . .could/would . . . .
If I were you, I would study harder.
(I'm obviously not you.)
If he were a dog, he would dig for bones.
(He's not a dog.)
If they were rich, they could buy a big
house. (They're not rich.)
If you were sure of your position, then you would
be happier. (You're not sure.)
Impossible Past Actions
This is used to imagine that past actions or situations
were different than they actually were.
If . . .past perfect. . . (then. . could/would have +
past participle . . . .
If I had studied, then I would have gotten a
good grade. (Too late. I didn't
study.)
If they had stopped drinking, they wouldn't have
crashed the car. (They didn't stop
drinking, so they crashed.)
If we had brought the camera, we could have taken
a picture of Clay Aiken. (We didn't,
so we couldn't.)
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