Conditionals

CONDITIONAL
CLAUSES
Definition and characteristics

Adverbial
clauses of condition (subordinate

clauses) conveying a condition upon which
the situation in the main clause is dependent.
Typical subordinators: if, unless, on condition
(that), provided (that), given (that), supposing
(that), assuming (that), in case, as long as, so
along as, if only.
Types
REAL
- factual and predictive

the question of their fulfillment is open and
under certain circumstances; combination of
tenses is free (no restrictions).
UNREAL - hypothetical and counterfactual
condition stated in the subordinate clause
cannot be (easily) realized and thus the event
in the main clause is highly unlikely to
happen.
REAL: FACTUAL
If you mix red and blue, you get purple.
What happens if ? - habits, truths, rules
The relationship between the 2 events is generally

true; express generalizations.
Found in academic texts when presenting information
that is generally true or a rule; IF can be replaced with
WHEN(EVER).
Can have both verbs in present or past:
In the past, if you wanted to do 5 jobs, you could do it.
REAL: PREDICTIVE
If it doesnt rain, well go out.
What will happen if ? Future plans, real possibilities,
instructions, etc.
Event in the main clause is possible in the future, depends

on the situation in the subordinate clause.
Possibility in the main clause expressed by a modal verb
(usually WILL).
Used for: (1) discussing future plans in informal speech,
(2) one event is a consequence of another, (3) giving
advice/suggestions/instructions and (4) in writing for
presenting an argument.
REAL: PREDICTIVE
If
we should miss the 10 oclock plane, we

wont get there by the evening.
If by any chance we miss - condition of
remote possibility (never would)
If you will reserve seats, we can have a
comfortable journey.
Will - being willing, agreeing, cant be used
where willingness is not implied (If he gets
the letter, )
UNREAL: HYPOTHETICAL
If you asked him, he might help you.
What would happen if ? - wishes, willingness,
remote possibilities, imaginary future situations, etc.
Main clause events are highly unlikely to happen,

yet possible given the situation expressed by the
conditional clause.
Even though they express the speakers willingness,
past tenses in conditional clauses indicate
remoteness of the possibility of an event; modal
verbs in the main clause also indicate remoteness.
UNREAL: HYPOTHETICAL
If
we were to miss the 10 oclock train, we

would get there after lunch.
If by any chance we missed, a remote
possibility.
If you would reserve seats, we would be sure
of a comfortable journey.
Would - more tentative form of will,
expresses willingness, agreeing, cant be
used when willingness is not implied.
UNREAL: COUNTERFACTUAL
If I had been born rich, I would have never finished school.
What would have happened if ? - negative of what have
happened, excuses, regrets, blames
Present the main clause event within the context of the

conditional clause that is impossible to be realized.
Remoteness in time and possibility.
Use of subjunctive (If I were, )
Negative implication with regard to what is expressed by the
subordinate clause.
They can refer to present and past.
INVERSION
Omission
of IF when it is the subject and

when there is to be in the conditional clause.
I: Should you need any further information,
do not hesitate to contact me.
II: Were it for him, I would gladly help. (written
style)
III: Had I known you before, everything would
have been easier.
MIXED TYPES
Usually
II and III are combined:

If I had been brought up the country, I would
like this.
REPORTED SPEECH
I into II: If we catch the train, we will be there in 2

hours. = I thought that if we caught the train, we
would be there in 2 hours.
II hypothetical - no change: If we caught the train,
we would be there in 2 hours. = I suggested that if
we caught the train, we would be there in 2 hours.
II counterfactual into III: If I was rich, I wouldnt
work. I said that if I had been rich, I wouldnt have
worked.
III counterfactual - no change: If we had caught
the train, we would have been there in 2 hours.
MEANINGS
RESTATING
restates previously mentioned information as

assumed or accepted before stating new
information:
Some of you may already know this. If you
do, this will be revision for you then.
(truncated - reduced clause)
MEANINGS
CONTRASTING
states the information which is contrast to or

opposed to the information in the preceding
discourse:
Id like to join you, but if not, Id stay and do
the work.
Connectors: but, however, conversely, etc.
MEANINGS
LISTING
ALTERNATIVES
conditional clause used to present a number
of alternative ways to look at a situation:
Okay. If you want to stay at home, thats
fine. If you want to go out to play, its okay,
but if you want to cry and yell, youll be
punished.
MEANINGS
GIVING EXAMPLES
introduces examples to support a preceding
statement. Usually introduced by for instance or for
example:
Unlike a nominal scale, an ordinal scale is used to
order data. For example, if you were interested in
ranking your students from best to worst, you
would be using an ordinal scale.
POSITION OF CONDITIONAL
CLAUSES
If youre asking me, Id go.

He would have helped you if he had known you
needed help.
I would definitely go, if youre asking me. afterthought, not primary point in the message
Longer, heavier chunks of information at the end end-weight
We have no other option if the government
continues to prevent relief supplies from being
transported to the large numbers of people
seeking humanitarian aid.
EXCEPTIONAL
CONDITIONALS
EVEN IF
exceptional condition is presented as expressing a
possibility that has no effect on the main clause:
I would enjoy working here even if they didnt pay
me.
EVEN THOUGH - difficulty known and accepted,
EVEN IF - possibility in discussion
PARENTHETICAL conditions:
Drinking, even if its a glass of wine, is forbidden if
youre a driver.
EXCEPTIONAL
CONDITIONALS
UNLESS
means except under the following

circumstances
Dont start unless you know you can do it.
Meaning - if not
Cant occur in counterfactuals
EXCEPTIONAL
CONDITIONALS
ONLY
IF / IF ONLY
when a condition is emphasized as exclusive
We can use their money only if its
absolutely necessary.
IF ONLY - intensifies unreal conditionals
expressing surprise, regret or wish
If only I had known that!
UNCERTAINTY
Conditional clauses serve the interpersonal function
- mark the attitude of the speaker to the message or
the listener.
Speaker does not accept a situation as certain prior
to making the commitment in the main clause.
If youre going, Ill go too.
Equivalent to yes/no question that invites or
assumes a positive answer before the statement in
the main clause is accepted
UNCERTAINTY
After
reporting verbs - ask, wonder - if is

commonly used as it marks uncertainty:
He asked if you were coming along.
whether used when choice between 2:
She wanted to know whether youd stay or
go.
whether or indicates that the choice has
no impact on the situation in the main clause:
Well go whether he joins us or not.
POLITENESS
To
soften imposing on somebody, modal

verbs denoting willingness (will, would),
potential (can, could) and possibility (may,
might) are used.
If clauses designed to ritually mark the
speakers uncertainty:
I asked him to wait, if he would.
Im going to take a nap, if thats OK.

Conditionals

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CONDITIONAL

Definition and characteristics

clauses of condition (subordinate

- factual and predictive

The relationship between the 2 events is generally

Event in the main clause is possible in the future, depends

we should miss the 10 oclock plane, we

Main clause events are highly unlikely to happen,

we were to miss the 10 oclock train, we

Present the main clause event within the context of the

of IF when it is the subject and

II and III are combined:

I into II: If we catch the train, we will be there in 2

restates previously mentioned information as

states the information which is contrast to or

If youre asking me, Id go.

means except under the following

reporting verbs - ask, wonder - if is

soften imposing on somebody, modal

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