CONDITIONALS By DR S S MUNGUNGUSHIPALE Conditional Sentences

CONDITIONALS By: DR S. S. MUNGUNGU-SHIPALE

Conditional Sentences Structure : A conditional sentence is composed of 2 parts : If-clause + Main Clause Example : If it rains tomorrow, we will not come. If-clause Main Clause

Conditional Sentences Types : Ø There are 4 types of conditional sentences. They are classified according to their specific implications. Ø Each type of conditional sentences uses different tenses to show the difference in their implications.

Conditional Sentences Type 0 : Zero Conditional Use : Talk about universal truth. Tense : Present tense in both clauses Example : Present Tense If you heat water to 100°C, it boils. If you pour oil into water, it floats.

Conditional Sentences More examples : Ø If water freezes, it turns to ice. ØIf people don’t get enough sleep, they are dangerous drivers. ØIf I don’t eat breakfast, I get hungry during class.

Conditional Sentences Type 1 Use : Talk about a present or future probable case. Tense : If-clause ~ Present Tense Main Clause ~ Future Tense Example : Present Tense Future Tense If I feel sick, I will not go to school. If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.

Exercise One do not come 1. If you __________ (not come), will miss you ________ (miss ) the show. will buy 2. John _________ (buy)a car if he gets _______ (get)a job. gets 3. Mary ________(get) a toothache if eats she_________ (eat) too many sweets.

Conditional Sentences Type 2 (Present Subjunctive) Use : Talk about a present or future improbable case. (A case that is unlikely to happen) Tense : If-clause ~ Past Tense Main Clause ~ would + an infinitive Example : Would + infinitive Past Tense If he were a bird, he would fly across the harbour. If I had N$200, 000 now, I would buy a car.

Conditional Sentences Type 3 (Past Subjunctive) Use : Talk about a past, impossible case Tense : Example : If-clause ~ Past Perfect Tense Main Clause ~ Would + Present Perfect Form Past Perfect Tense Would + Present Perfect Form If I had enough money, I would have bought the camera yesterday. If I had come home earlier, I would not have missed the programme.

Exercise Two were 1. If I ________ (be) four years old, I would learn ________ (learn) to play the piano. had not failed 2. If I ________ (not fail) in the would have bought examination, my mother________ (buy) me a new computer. would have finished 3. We ____________ (finish) if we had ________ (have) better preparation.

Conditional Sentences Variations: SHOULD may replace IF in type 1 Type 1 : If you see John, ask him to come and see me. Should you see John, ask him to come and see me. COULD or MIGHT may Type 2 : replace WOULD If I were an aeroplane, I could fly in the sky. Were I an aeroplane, I could fly in the sky. WERE may replace IF in an inversion

Conditional Sentences Type 3 : If I had come home earlier, I would not have missed the programme. Had I come home earlier, I would not have missed the programme. HAD may replace IF in an inversion

Conditional Sentences Type 2 & Type 3 : If it were not for the rain, we would go to Etosha. (Type 2) But for the rain, we would go to Etosha. But for+ a noun may replace `If it were not for’ If it had not been for the traffic jam, we would have arrived on time. (Type 3) But for the traffic jam, we would have arrived on time. But for + a noun may replace `If it had not been for’

The Subjunctive Mood Other sentences than the conditional may bear the subjunctive mood. (What is imagined/wished/possible) a. Wish (v) Type 2 Type 3 I wish I were a king. (But I am not!) I wish she had left last night. (But she didn’t!) * Non-subjunctive use of wish Ø I wish to travel to Europe next year Ø We wish you a happy birthday.

The Subjunctive Mood b. If only Type 2 If only I were you! Type 2 If only he were born in the USA! (He was not born in USA) If only she had left last night! (She did not leave last night) Type 3

The Subjunctive Mood b. Would rather Type 2 I would rather you came earlier. (But you came late. ) Type 3 I would rather he had told me the secret. (But he didn’t. ) * Non-subjunctive use of would rather A : Do you want to go fishing today? B : I would rather stay at home and take some rest. (B prefers staying at home to going fishing)

The Subjunctive Mood d. Lest (Conjunction) (= in case) He put the money in the safe lest someone should / might steal it. e. It is (high) time Past Tense Ø It is (high) time you studied hard. (You have not studied hard. Now the examination is near, so you have to study very hard. ) Ø It is time for you to leave. (non-subjunctive)

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