Conditionals
Conditionals are statements with if or unless. They are opinions about the conditions (circumstances) that unfluence results, and opinions about the results.
There are two kinds of conditionals . In most grammar books , they are called real or factual conditionals and unreal or contrary-to-fact conditionals. Factual conditionals express absolute , scientific facts , probable results , or possible results. Contrary-to-fact conditionals express improbable or impossible results.
Problem 1 : Factual conditions ~ absolute , scientific results
Remember that absolute conditionals express scientific facts. Will and a verb word expresses the opinion that the results are absolutely certain.
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Structure : If + S + V (present) + , + S + V (present)
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Expression : If a catalyst is used , the reaction occurs more rapidly
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OR
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Structure : If + S + V (present) + , + S + will + verb word
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Expression : If a catalyst is used , the reaction will occur more rapidly
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Avoid using will and a verb word instead of the present verb in the clause after if.
Examples
Incorrect : If water freezes , it has become a solid
Correct : If water freezes , it becomes a solid
OR
If water freezes , it will become a solid
Incorrect : If light strikes a rough surface , it diffused
Correct : If light strikes a rough surface , it diffuses
OR
If light strikes a rough surface , it will diffuse
Problem 2 : Factual conditionals ~ probable results for the future
Remember that will and a verb word expresses the opinion that the results are absolutely certain. In order of more to less probable , use the following modals:
Will , Can , May.
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Structure : If + S + V (present) + , + S + will / may / can + verb word
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Expression : If we find her address , we will write her
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OR
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Structure : S + will / may / can + verb word + if + S + V (present)
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Expression : We will write her if we find her address.
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Avoid using the present verb instead of a modal and a verb word in the clause of result.
Examples :
Incorrect : If u put too much water in rice when u cook it , it got sticky
Correct : If u put too much water in rice when u cook it , it will get sticky
OR
It will get sticky If u put too much water in rice when u cook it .
Problem 3 : Factual Conditionals ~ possible results
Remember that although a past verb is used , the opinion is for future time . In order of most possible to least possible, use the following modals :
would
could
might
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Structure : If + S + V (past) + , + S + would / could / might + verb word
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Expression : If we found her address , we would / could / might right her
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OR
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Structure : S + would / could / might + verb word + If + S + V (past)
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Expression : We would / could / might write her if we found her address
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Avoid using would and a verb word instead of a past verb in an "if" clause.
Examples :
Incorrect : If Jim`s family meet karen , I m sure that they would like her
Correct : If Jim`s family met karen , I m sure that they would like her
OR
I m sure that they would like karen If Jim`s family met her.
Incorrect : If she would eat fewer sweets , she would lose weight
Correct : If she ate fewer sweets , she would lose weight
OR
She would lose weight If she ate fewer sweets.
Problem 4 : Factual Conditionals ~ probable changes in past results
Remember that the speaker or writer is expressing an opinion about the results of the past under different conditions or circumstances. In order of the most to the least probable , use of the following modals :
Would
Could
Might
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Structure : If + S + had + participle + , + S + would / could / might + have + participle
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Expression : If we had found her address , we would / could / might have written her
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OR
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Structure : S + would / could / might + have + participle + If + S + had + participle
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Expression : we would / could / might have written her If we had found her address
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Avoid using would have and a participle instead of had and a participle . Avoid using have as a participle.
Examples :
Incorrect : If we had the money , we would have bought a new stereo system
Correct : If we had had the money , we would have bought a new stereo system
OR
We would have bought a new stereo system If we had had the money
Incorrect : If her mother let her , Annie would have stayed longer
Correct : If her mother had let her , Annie would have stayed longer
OR
Annie would have stayed longer If her mother had let her
Problem 5 : Contrary-to-fact conditionals ~ impossible results were
Remember that the verb BE is always were in contrary-to-fact conditionals.
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Structure : If + S + were
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Expression : If the party were on Friday , we could go
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Avoid changing were to agree with the subject in contrary-to-fact statements.
Examples :
Incorrect : If Barbara was really my friend , she would call me once in a while
Correct : If Barbara were really my friend , she would call me once in a while
Incorrect : This appartment be perfect if it were a little larger
Correct : This appartment would be perfect if it were a little larger
OR
if this appartment were a little larger , it would be perfect
Problem 6 : Contrary-to-fact conditionals ~ changes in conditions unless
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Structure : S + V + unless + she + V
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Expression : Laila won`t return unless she gets a scholarship
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Remember that there is a subject and verb that determines the change in conditions after the connector unless
Avoid deleting unless from the sentence ; avoid deleting either the subject or the verb from the clause after unless.
Examples :
Incorrect : I can`t go I don`t get my work finished
Correct : I can`t go unless I get my work finished
Incorrect : They are going to get divorce unless he stopping drugs
Correct : They are going to get divorce unless he stops taking drugs