Conditionals I, II, and III

IF and THEN Clauses• Conditional sentences have at least two

clauses: IF clauses and THEN clauses.• Examples:

If I go into town tomorrow, then I will see a movie.

If he spoke Chinese, then he would work as a guide in China.

If they had been faster, then they would have won the race.

IF Clauses (the condition)

• IF clauses present the condition.

• Examples:If I go into town tomorrow…

If he spoke Chinese…

If they had been faster…

THEN Clauses (the results)

• THEN clauses present the results.

• Examples:

… then I will see a movie.

…. then he would work as a guide in China.

… then they would have won the race.

IF and THEN Clauses

• The word “then” is optional, but the clause is still the result of the condition. So it is a “THEN” clause, without the word “then.”

• There are special rules for leaving out the word “if”. We will learn them later.

Conditional I (present / future)

• When something is possible now or in the future

• Form: If (present) then will +V.

• Example: If she studies, she will

pass the geography test. (It is possible !!)

Unless

• Unless = if not

• Example:

If we don’t finish soon, we will miss the train.

Unless we finish soon, we will miss the train.

Temporals• Temporals are time expressions.

(Examples: before, until, after, by the time, etc.)

• When they refer to the future, they are like Conditional I: Temporal (present), will V.

• Examples:

Until he arrives, I will read a book.

They will make a cake before they go.

Conditional II

• Form:

If (past) then would V.

• Example:

If he spoke Chinese, he would work as a guide in China. (Fact: He doesn’t speak Chinese, so it’s impossible.)

Special Rules for Conditional II

• You can drop the “if” by moving the “were” to the front.

Example: Were he here, he would do it.

Conditional III(past)

• Form: If had V + 3rd, then would have V + 3rd.

• Example: If we had studied, we would have passed the

exam. (Fact: We didn’t study and we didn’t pass the exam.)

Where does the “not” go?

• If the girl had not looked both ways when she crossed the street, a car would have hit her. (Fact: She did look both ways, so a car did not hit her.)

• If the boys had practiced more, they would not have lost the game. (Fact: They did not practice enough, so they lost the game.)

Shortened Conditional Sentences

• If I should see him, I'll give him the message.

Should I see him, I'll give him the message.

• If you should need anything, please call me.

Should you need anything, please call me.

 • If he should call you, I also want to speak to

him. --->

Should he call you, I also want to speak to him.

Special Rules for Conditional III

• You can drop the “if” by moving the “had” to the front.

• Example:

If he had been there, we would have done it.

Had he been there, we would have done it.

• Be careful !! Although you are starting with a “little verb”, this is not a question !!

• If we had known about the meeting, we would have attended.

Had we known about the meeting, we would have attended.

• If he had been here, he could have helped us.

Had he been here, he could have helped us.

 • If she hadn't applied early, she wouldn't have been accepted.

Had she not applied early, she wouldn't have been accepted.

 • If you hadn't left an hour early, you would have been late for

the meeting.

Had you not left an hour early, you would have been late for the meeting.

Practice Time

• 1. I only told you because I thought you would be interested. TOLD I ... you if I thought you weren't interested.

• 2. I won't organise the party unless you arrange the food. LONG I'll organise the party ... arrange the food.

• 3. I think it would be a good idea to speak to the manager first. WERE If ... speak to the manager first.

• 4. If you do the washing up I'll make the coffee. PROVIDED I'll make the coffee ... the washing up.

• 5. Your tired because you keep staying up late. 

WERE 

If ... to bed earlier, you wouldn't be so tired.

• 6. You never enter competitions so you'll never win anything. 

MIGHT 

If you entered competions ... something.

• 7. The reason I haven't got much money is because they didn't

give me promotion.

POOR 

If they had given me promotion I ... now.

• 8. I've been so happy since I met you. 

MIGHT 

I ... happy if I hadn't met you.

• 1. would not/wouldn't have told

• 2. as/so long as you

• 3. I was/were you I would/I‘d

• 4. provided you do

• 5. you were to go

• 6. you might win

• 7. would not/wouldn't be so poor

• 8. might not have been