Mihai ION Basic English Syntax

CONDITIONAL SENTENCES (IF-CLAUSES)

Conditional sentences may be introduced by: if, unless* (= if... not), provided/providing (that), on condition (that), suppose/supposing (that), as/so long as, in case, but for (= if it werent for/if it hadnt been for). *cannot be used in conditional sentences with hypothetical meaning Examples: If he invites me, Ill go. Hell fail unless he works harder. The librarian will lend you the books providing/provided that/as long as you return them in due time. Ill deliver the goods on condition that you accept the terms of the contract. Suppose/Supposing she didnt answer the phone, what would you do? They promised to give me some money in case I needed it. But for (= if it werent for) this rain, I would go for a walk. But for (= if it hadnt been for) that brave man, my son would have drowned. BASIC TYPES OF CONDITIONAL SENTENCES Condition 1. probable (real) Time reference present/future Conditional clause PRESENT: V/V-s If Paul finds the book, (Dac Paul va gsi cartea, PAST: V-ed (be were) If Paul found the book, (Dac Paul ar gsi cartea, PAST PERFECT: had V-en If Paul had found the book, (Dac Paul ar fi gsit cartea, Verb tenses Main clause FUTURE: will/shall V he will buy it. o va cumpra.) PRESENT CONDITIONAL: would/should V he would buy it. ar cumpra -o.) PAST CONDITIONAL: would/should have V-en he would have bought it. ar fi cumprat-o.)

2. improbable (hypothetical)

present/future

3. impossible (hypothetical)

past

Mihai ION Basic English Syntax

OMISSION OF IF Sometimes in formal language, for stylistic purposes, if may be omitted. In such cases, there will be a subject-auxiliary invertion. Note that the omission of if is only possible in the conditional clauses with hypothetical meaning (types 2 and 3), which should compulsorily come in initial position (before the main clause). Neutral If I were tired, I would go to sleep. Harry could buy a new car if he saved enough money. If he were to find us here, he would be very surprised. I would feel released if I could solve this problem. If our team had won the match, we would have celebrated the victory. Emphatic [formal] Were I tired, I would go to sleep. Should Harry save enough money, he could buy a new car. Were he to find us here, he would be very surprised. Could I solve this problem, I would feel released. Had our team won the match, we would have celebrated the victory.

OTHER TEMPORAL SITUATIONS IN CONDITIONAL SENTENCES Conditional clause Present If you boil water, Present If you see Mr Blake, Present perfect If you have found a mistake, Past If my radio disturbed people, Past If James bought that car, Past If you enjoyed his last novel, Past (type 2) If she spoke English better, Past perfect (type 3) If they hadnt missed the train, Main clause Present it turns to vapour. Imperative give him my best regards! Future he will check it again. Past I turned it down. Present I am happy. Future youll love this one. Past conditional (type 3) she would have worked abroad last summer. Present conditional (type 2) they would be here now.

Mixed types