UNIT 22 GRAMMAR NOTESPAGES 382-384

Type 0 and 1 are real (or factual) conditionals describing situations

that

occur regularly(type 0) Water boils if it

reaches 100

degrees

centigrade.

are likely or possible in the future.(type 1)

If we study, we

will pass the

course.

Conditional sentences describe situations that occur (or do not occur) because of certain conditions.

They consist of two clauses, a dependent condition clause (also called an if clause) and an independent result clause.

We can think about four different types of conditional: 0, 1, 2, and 3

.

1.

present

present

present

future

Unreal conditionals are sentences that describe situations that are untrue, unlikely or impossible

in the present(type 2) If I were rich, I

would buy a car

in the past(type three) I would have

helped if you

had asked me.

Conditional sentences describe situations that occur (or do not occur) because of certain conditions.

They consist of two clauses, a dependent condition clause (also called an if clause) and an independent result clause.

We can think about four different types of conditional: 0, 1, 2, and 3

1.

subjunctive

conditional

past conditional

past perfect

(An if clause is an adverb clause, so the rule about this is the same.)Either or both clauses can be

negative.

If I don’t finish my work early, I won’t be able to attend.

I won’t be able to attend if I don’t finish my work early.

Note: In conditional sentences, the clauses can come in either order.

The meaning is the same.

We place a comma after the if clause if it comes first.

We don’t generally place a comma after the result clause if it comes first.

1.

Type 0 Conditional

Plants die if they don’t get enough water.

People with diabetes can control their disease if they take insulin regularly.

If I’m flying, I always feel nervous.

We use present real (Type 0) conditional sentences to talk about general truths, scientific facts, or habits and repeated events.

We can also use the present progressive in the if clause.

2.

Type 1 Conditional

If Barry passes the final exam, he might pass the course.

Unless he studies hard, however, he won’t pass the final exam. (= If he doesn’t study hard, he won’t pass the final exam.0

In future-time situations, we use the simple present or the present progressive in the if clause and the future with will or be going to, may, might, can, could or should in the result clause.

2.

Type 1 Conditional

I’ll contact you if I hear from her.

**I’ll contact you if I will hear from her.

(This rule applies to other kinds of adverb clauses.)

I’ll contact you as soon as I hear from her.

I’ll contact you when I hear from her.

I’ll contact you after as I hear from her.

Be careful!

Use the simple present in the if clause even though time referred to is in the future.

2.

Type 2 Conditional

If I loved you, I’d ask you to marry me.

We wouldn’t stay up so late if we were parents.

I might watch videos if I had the day off.

Use the present unreal conditional to talk about unreal, untrue, imagined or impossible conditions and their results.

Use the the *past subjunctive of the verb in the if clause.

Use would, could or might + the base form of the verb in the result clause.

3.

Type 2 Conditional

I’d buy a new car if I had the money.

**I’d buy a new car if I would have the money.

Be careful!

Don’t use would in the if clause in present unreal conditionals.

3.

Type 3 Conditional

If I had listened to my inner voice, I wouldn’t have made that mistake.

Mary would have accepted your proposal if you’d asked in time.

Use the past unreal conditional to talk about past unreal, untrue, imagined or impossible conditions and their unreal results.

Use the past perfect in the if clause.

Use could, might or would + have + past participle in the result clause.

4.

We often use the past unreal conditional to express regret about a situation that actually happened in the past.

4.

Type 3 Conditional

I would have lent you the money if I had known you were in financial difficulty.

Be careful!

Don’t use would in the if clause in past unreal conditional sentences.

4.

Type 3 Conditional

I would have lent you the money if I had known you were in financial difficulty.

**I would have lent you the money if I would have known you were in financial difficulty.

Mixed Conditional

If I hadn’t gone to college, I

would still be working at the

hardware store.

If Sam were coming, he

would have arrived by now.

The times of the if clause and the result clause are sometimes different.

Present unreal and past unreal conditional forms can be “mixed” in the same sentence.

5.

past perfect

present subjunctive

present conditional

past conditional

We often use unreal conditionals to express regret or sadness. In a similar way, we use wish + noun clause to express sadness or a desire for a different situation.

6.

Type 2 Conditional

I’d earn more if I had a better job.

I wish (that) I had a better job.

We often use unreal conditionals to express regret or sadness. In a similar way, we use wish + noun clause to express sadness or a desire for a different situation.

6.

a. Use wish + would + base form to express a wish about the future.

I wish (that) you would change your mind about buying that house.

We often use unreal conditionals to express regret or sadness. In a similar way, we use wish + noun clause to express sadness or a desire for a different situation.

6.

b. Use wish + past subjunctive to express a wish about the present.

My wife wishes that I helped her with the housework more.

I wish that you were here.

We often use unreal conditionals to express regret or sadness. In a similar way, we use wish + noun clause to express sadness or a desire for a different situation.

6.

c. Use wish + past subjunctive to express a wish about the present.

My son wishes (that) he hadn’t taken that job.

Be careful! Don’t confuse wish and hope. Use wish to express regrets about things that are unlikely or impossible to change.

Use hope to express a desire about events that are possible or probable.

6.

Wish vs. Hope

I wish that she would accept my proposal. (I don’t think she will.)

I hope that she accepts/will accept my proposal. (It’s possible or probable that she will.)

With hope, use present, past or future tense, depending on your meaning.

*6.

Hope

I hope he will lend me some money.

I hope you are feeling better.

I hope he got home OK.

If only has a meaning similar to that of wish.

If only is followed by a noun clause without that.

7.

If only

I wish (that) I were good at sports.

If only I were good at sports.

Use the past subjunctive after if only to express a wish about something that is contrary to fact in the present.

7.

If only

If only we weren’t so busy.

Use the past perfect after if only to express a wish about something that happened differently in the past.

7.

If only

If only I hadn’t said that.

Be careful!

7.

Don’t confuse if only with only if.

If only Jerry studied more.(= I wish he would study more.)

Only if Jerry studied more would he have a chance of passing.(= This is the only way for him to pass.