Gareth King - Colloquial English - A Complete English Language Course

CONDITIONALS are forms of the verb that describe actions or events that have not happened, but could happen – things that are possible.

Conditional sentences have two parts: a MAIN CLAUSE and an IF-CLAUSE. There are two main types of conditional in English – C1

and C2– and we are going to look at both of them in this unit. So

– let’s look at the following similar, but different, sentences:

[C1]

If I have time, I’ll help you with the washing-up

[C2]

If I had time, I’d help you with the washing-upYou can see that these sentences are the same except for the verbs .

Now let’s look at the meanings:

• in the C1sentence, I am saying that it is possible that I’ll have time to help, but that I don’t know for sure – so it’s possible that I’ll be helping with the washing-up;

• in the C2sentence I am saying that I haven’t got the time, so I won’t be helping with the washing-up at all.

You can see the difference in Dialogue 1, where Justine uses both C1 and C2 conditionals – she says if I win(C1) because she thinks it’s a possibility, but when talking about Ann she says if you won(C2) because Ann doesn’t do the lottery and so it won’t happen and is therefore unreal.

We’ll look at C2 conditionals later in this unit, but first we’ll concentrate on C1.

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The normal verb pattern for C1 conditionals is:

if-clause PRESENT SIMPLE – main clause WILL-FUTURE

Here are some examples showing both statements and negatives: If she stays, I’ll stay too

If she doesn’t stay, I won’t stay either

If I stay, she won’t

If I don’t stay, she will

This is usually all we need to know to form C1 conditionals.

But there are other tenses that can be used in C1 conditionals, and especially the MODAL AUXILIARIES. For example, in Dialogue 1

Justine says If I play I might win; we saw the might/mait/ in Unit 13 (Language point 72) – it indicates that the speaker thinks the action or event described could happen, so it fits well in a conditional sentence. Here are some more examples with modals: If it’s fine tomorrow, we could take the boat out on the river If you don’t get the job, you could apply for another one If the students don’t do their homework tonight, they can’t go swimming tomorrow

If we don’t take the car, we must carry the shopping home If Helen is late, we should start without her

If the bus is full, we might not get a seat

Exercise 1

Look at these conditional sentences and simply decide whether each one is possibleor unreal– the first one has been done for you. Be careful with no. 4.

1

I’ll buy the drinks if you order the food

possible / unreal

2

If Dave broke the window, he’d have to

buy new one

possible / unreal

3

If we hurry we’ll catch the bus

possible / unreal

4

The food would keep longer if we put it in

the fridge

possible / unreal

5

If you give me the money, I’ll take care

of it

possible / unreal

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6

We’d miss you if you went away

possible / unreal

7

If it rains we’ll get very wet

possible / unreal

8

If it started to snow now the kids would

be excited

possible / unreal

Exercise 2

Match the actions on the left to their

results on the right – the first one has

been done for you.

1

If you cut your finger,

a

your eyes close.

2

If you heat glass,

b

it burns.

3

If you sneeze,

c

it turns to ice.

4

If you freeze water,

d

you get wet.

5

If you go out in the rain

e

it bleeds.

6

If you light a candle,

f

it melts.

Exercise 3

Rewrite the verbs in these sentences in the correct tenses – the first one has been done for you.

1

If he (go) to Finland next week, he (need)

a passport.

goes

’ll need

2

If Gerry (be) late, we (leave) without him.

_____

_____

3

If you (stand) in the rain, you (get) wet.

_____

_____

4

If the TV (break down), James (repair) it.

_____

_____

5

If I (not see) you tonight, I (phone) you

in the morning.

_____

_____

6

If Suzi (not hurry), she (miss) the bus.

_____

_____

7

Mike (be) pleased if he (get) the job.

_____

_____

8

This microwave (not work) if you

(not plug) it in.

_____

_____

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Exercise 4

Match the if-clauses and main clauses to make complete sentences

– the first one has been done for you.

1

If it rains,

a

you’ll have to wear a hat.

2

If you write the essay,

b I’ll pay for them.

3

If the sun gets too hot,

c

it will break.

4

If you bend this too much,

d we’ll miss the concert.

5

If you don’t leave now,

e

you won’t improve.

6

If Simon orders the drinks,

f

we won’t have a picnic.

7

If you don’t practise,

g

you’ll miss your train.

8

If the bus is late,

h I’ll check the spelling.

Language point 80 – ‘if’ and ‘when’

We use ifto talk about things that may happen, but that we are not sure about. If we know for certain that something will happen, then we must use when. Compare:

If it rains tomorrow, . . .

not ‘When it rains tomorrow’

When it gets dark tonight

not ‘If it gets dark tonight’

Exercise 5

Start the clauses below with either ifor whenas you think right.

1

_____ this programme finishes, . . .

2

_____ the sun rises, . . .

3

_____ there’s a thunderstorm next week, . . .

4

_____ the shop is still open, . . .

5

_____ it’s a nice day tomorrow, . . .

6

_____ you decide not to come, . . .

Language point 81 – ‘what for?’

What for?is another way of saying Why?in colloquial English, when asking about purpose . It can be used on its own, as in Dialogue 1, when Ann asks why Justine is going into the newsagent’s, but if it’s being used in a sentence it has to be split up, with for?going to the end of the sentence:

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Why are you going in the

=

What are you going in the

shop?

shop for?

Why are you looking at me?

=

What are you looking at

me for?

Why did you do that?