ENGLISH SYNTAX I

FACULTAD DE FILOSOFÍA Y LETRAS

UNT - Año 2020
 Conditional Clause

• A conditional clause is part of a complex sentence that consists of a main clause and a
subordinate clause typically introduced by the adverbial subordinator “if”.
• Conditional sentences express the dependence of one set of circumstances (the result clause) on
another (the if-clause).
You will pass your exams if you study hard.

TYPE 1
Type 1: IF + PRESENT TENSES + FUTURE

Condition to be satisfied likely outcome

‘open’ or ‘real’ condition
We use type 1 conditionals for a future situation when there is a real possibility that the condition will
be fulfilled.
Your salary will go up if you get promoted.
If it is raining tomorrow, I will go to work by car.
If you have finished with the computer, I’ll put it away.
If David has been working all day, he will be exhausted.
If we don’t hurry up, the film will have begun by the time we get there.

Type 1, variation 1: IF + PRESENT + MODAL VERB

If you need a ticket, I can get you one.

If you have heart disease, you should see a cardiologist.
Type 1, variation 2:
a) IF + SHOULD + IMPERATIVE / WILL
If + should, instead of if + present makes the condition more doubtful or very polite.
If + should + imperative in the main clause is used to make polite requests or suggestions, or to tell
people (tactfully) what to do:
If you should see Kate at the meeting please, give her my regards.

b) IF + SHOULD + FUTURE / MODAL VERB

If you should happen to lose your job, what will you do?

c) ‘SHOULD’ AT THE BEGINNING OF A SENTENCE

It is rather formal and is often found in business letters, not in everyday conversation.
Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Type 1, variation 3: IMPERATIVE + CONJUNCTION + MAIN CLAUSE: SHALL / WILL

and
or
Condition to be satisfied or else likely outcome
otherwise

to comment
to make requests
Imperatives can be used in place of if- clauses to make bargain
to offer advice
to threaten

Do that again and you won’t have any pocket money.

Hurry up or you will be late for your appointment.
Be quiet and don’t interrupt me or else I won't finish my work today.
Call home, otherwise your parents will start to worry.
 TYPE 2

Type 2: IF + SIMPLE PAST + WOULD

• Type 2 conditionals describe imaginary situations in the if-clause and speculate about their imaginary
consequences in the main clause.

• Though past tenses are used, the reference is not past time.

• Conditional II, the ‘Unreal’ or ‘Improbable’ Condition is used, for (1) an unreal situation in the
present or (2) a situation that is improbable or unlikely.

If they had enough money, they would buy a new car. (1) unreal. They don’t enough money.

If I won the lottery, I would travel round the world. (2) improbable. It is unlikely I’ll win.
Type 2, variation 1: IF + WERE / WAS + WOULD
We can use ‘were’ in place of ‘was’ after ‘if’ in all persons, particularly when expressing doubt or
imagining something: the past subjunctive.
If I were better qualified, I would apply for the job. (If I was: less formal)

If I were you / in your position used to give advice.

If I were you, I would ask a lawyer for some advice.
If I were in Emma´s position, I would apply for a scholarship.

If it were not for / Were it not for explains why something has or hasn´t happened
If it were not for your help, we would be in serious problems.

In formal context ‘if it were not for’ can be expressed as ‘were it not for’, with the negative in full (not
weren’t)
Were it not for many generous benefactors such a congress could not be held.
Type 2, variation 2: IF + SIMPLE PAST + MODAL VERB

Another modal verb can replace would in type 2 conditionals. E.g. when we feel the imaginary
consequences are less likely, or when we are referring to ability, possibility, obligation, etc.
If Jack worked harder, he might do even better at his studies.
If my father were here now, he could give us some advice.

Type 2, variation 3: IF + WERE TO / WAS TO + WOULD / MODAL

were to is more common than was to after I/he/she/it and makes a suggestion sound more tentative and
polite.
If you were to go home, you would feel better.

Were to inverted + would / modal common in very formal contexts

Were the economy to slow down too quickly, there would be major problems.
 TYPE 3
Type 3: IF + PAST PERFECT + WOULD HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE

Hypothetical and impossible, contrary to fact, imagined condition.

Type3 conditionals assume something purely imaginary in the if-clause and consider the imagined
consequences in the main clause. We use conditional III for a past situation that did not happen. The
if-event is impossible because we cannot change the past.

I would have taken an umbrella if I had known it would rain.

If I hadn’t talked to Paul, I would never have learned the truth.
If she had finished her studies, she would have got a much better job.
If I had been you/ in your position these expressions describe a course of action we
would have followed in someone else’s position.
If I had been you, I would have taken the child to hospital.
If I had been in your position, I wouldn’t have got married.

If it hadn’t been for this expression explains why something didn´t happen in the past.
If it hadn’t been for their attitude, we would have stayed for dinner.
If it hadn’t been for the pandemic, we would have gone to the beach in July.
Type 3, Variation 1: Inversion with ‘had’

The form had he is a formal variation of if he had. A negative inversion is possible

with the full form had it not.

Had he taken his medicine, he wouldn’t have had an attack.

Had you stayed in, you wouldn’t have got the disease.
Had Mary not trained enough, she wouldn’t have made it to the competition.
Type 3, Variation 2: IF + PAST PERFECT + MODAL + PERFECT INFINITIVE

Another modal can replace ‘would’ in type 3 e.g. when we feel the imagined consequences
were less likely, or when we are referring to ability, possibility, duty, etc.
Progressive and perfect combinations with modals are possible.

If you had called me, I could have given you some advice.
She might have succeeded in the fashion industry if her manager had been more witty.
Had Tom not seen a stranger in the neighborhood, a series of burglaries could have taken
place.
 FACTUAL CONDITIONAL CLAUSES: TYPE 0

a. GENERIC FACTUAL CONDITIONALS

Type 0 CAUSE AND EFFECT: IF + PRESENT SIMPLE +

PRESENT SIMPLE

We use this type of conditional to describe general truths, including scientific facts and
observations. In this type of sentence, if corresponds closely in meaning to when(ever).
If you freeze water, it becomes a solid.
If you don’t sleep well, you feel tired.
If people use aerosols, they pollute air.
If you mix red and blue, you get purple.
a. HABITUAL FACTUAL CONDITIONS
They express either past or present relationships that are typically or habitually true.

IF + PRESENT FORM + PRESENT SIMPLE

If I can’t sleep, I drink some milk.

If employees are not happy, they produce less.
If I walk fast, I gasp for breath.

IF + PAST FORM + PAST SIMPLE

I always called Jenny if I felt sad.

If it was sunny, we went for a walk.
We used the public transport if it was too cold.
 IF + PRESENT FORM + IMPERATIVE

We use this type to give instructions and orders.

Finish your meal if you want some dessert.

Call me if you feel like going for a drink.
Put on a helmet if you ride your motorbike.