Conditional Sentences

Conditional Sentences

1. FORM

   • main clause
     • =RESULT
   • subordinate clause
     • =CONDITION

2. TIME

   • past
   • present
   • future

3. Real Conditionals

   • Generic
     • specific truth/ regulation
     • both clauses
       • simple present
       • if clause
         • present progressive
       • main clause
         • will
   • Habitual
     • usual result
     • both clauses
       • simple present PRESENT SITUATIONS
       • simple past PAST SITUATIONS
         • simple past (if clause) + would inf (main clause
     • if= WHENEVER
     • policy
       • both clauses
         • simple present
         • will (main clause)
   • Inference
     • logical deduction
     • about the PRESENT or PAST
     • adverbs
       • probably
       • possibly
       • certainly
       • then
     • main clause
       • simple present
       • simple present
       • present perfect
       • MODALS should, must, must have, has got to have, had to have
     • sarcastic statement
       • both clauses
         • present tense
         • false
   • Future
     • Future Results
       • plans
       • contingencies
       • predicted future result
       • if clause
         • simple present
           • If you don't leave now, you'll miss your plane.
         • s. past/ pres perf PAST CONDITION
           • If you have done everything your boss asked you to do and done it well, then you'll get a pay rise.
       • main clause
         • will
         • modals (degrees of likelihood)
         • be going to
         • imperative
     • Special Uses
       • Instructions
         • if clause
           • simple present
           • should (BrE)
         • main clause
           • imperative
       • Suggestion
         • if clause
           • simple present
         • main clause
           • modals
             • ought
             • should
       • Questions

4. Unreal Conditionals

   • Hypothetical
     • imagined possible events/ states
     • FUTURE
       • if clause
         • simple past
       • main clause
         • would
         • could/ might
     • COMMENTS & SPECULATIONS (current states)
       • if clause
         • simple past (STATIVE VERBS)
     • COMMENTS (present events)
       • if clause
         • were + ing
       • main clause
         • would be + ing
         • could/ might
   • Counterfactual
     • PAST EVENTS did not obtain
       • if clause
         • past perfect
       • main clause
         • would have + F3
         • could/ might
     • SPECULATIONS impossible states PRESENT
       • if clause
         • were + ing
         • were (third and first person sing)
       • main clause
         • would/ could/ might + BE+ ing
         • would + ing
   • imagined condition & outcome

5. Mixed

   • Mixed Conditionals
   • past simple/ progressive// would have + F3
     • PRESENT/ FUTURE// PAST TIME
       • contrary// contrary
   • past simple// will
     • PAST TIME// PRESENT/ FUTURE
       • possible// logical/ possible result
   • simple present// modal have + F3
     • PRESENT// PAST
   • past perfect// would + inf/ be ing
     • PAST TIME// PRESENT/ FUTURE
       • contrary// different situation

6. Other Conjunctions

   • AS/ SO LONG AS
   • PROVIDING/ PROVIDED (THAT)
     • [if and only if]
   • ON CONDITION (THAT)
     • [only if] [formal, human agent]
   • ONLY IF
   • SUPPOSE/ SUPPOSING (THAT)

7. Other Structures

   • OR (ELSE)/ OTHERWISE
   • BUT FOR/ IN THE EVENT OF
   • WHAT IF
   • IF ONLY
     • PRESENT TIME
       • simple past
     • PAST T
       • past perfect
     • FUTURE T
       • simple present

8. UNREAL MEANING

   • WISH
     • + to inf (IMMEDIATE DESIRE)
       • I wish to report a robbery.
     • + simple past (WISH PRESENT)
       • I wish I didn't have to go to work today. I wish I could afford a car.
     • + past perfect (WISH PAST)
       • I wish you hadn't told me how the film ends.
     • + would inf (WISH FUTURE/ COMPLAINT)
       • I wish they would stop arguing. I wish you would stop making so much noise.
   • IT'S (HIGH) TIME
     • + simple past (PRESENT TIME REF)
       • It's high time we got a pay rise.
   • WOULD RATHER/ SOONER
     • myself
       • +bare inf (PRESENT)
         • I'd rather drive than go by train.
       • + present perfect (PAST)
         • I'd rather have gone to your party rather than her's.
     • sb else
       • + simple past (PRESENT/ FUTURE)
         • I'd rather you didn't go out alone. I'd rather you left.
       • + past perfect (PAST)
         • I'd rather you hadn't invited her.
     • negative WOULD RATHER NOT