ENGS 028: ESL Grammar 3

Summary of basic verb forms Summary of basic verb forms and meaning in sentences and meaning in sentences

with “if” clauseswith “if” clauses

Contents

This presentation addresses the following aspects This presentation addresses the following aspects of conditional sentences.of conditional sentences. UsesUses MeaningMeaning FormsForms ProblemsProblems

Similar formsSimilar formsSpelling issuesSpelling issuesPronunciation issuesPronunciation issues

USES

There are 5 basic uses of “if” clauses in English They are the same as those outlined in our They are the same as those outlined in our

textbook, but presented here in a slightly textbook, but presented here in a slightly different way.different way.

The terms “real conditions of fact” and The terms “real conditions of fact” and “real conditions of prediction” used here are “real conditions of prediction” used here are taken from Raimes, taken from Raimes, How English WorksHow English Works.. She is also the author of our textbook.She is also the author of our textbook.

Uses of “if” clauses

1. To express real conditions of fact in the 1. To express real conditions of fact in the present or future.present or future. This refers to conditions that exist or are likely.This refers to conditions that exist or are likely.

Examples of real conditions of fact in the present or future If water freezes, it turns to ice.If water freezes, it turns to ice. If people don’t get enough sleep, they are If people don’t get enough sleep, they are

dangerous drivers.dangerous drivers. If I don’t eat breakfast, I get hungry during If I don’t eat breakfast, I get hungry during

class.class.

Uses of “if”clauses

2. To express real conditions of fact in the 2. To express real conditions of fact in the past.past. This refers to conditions that existed or were This refers to conditions that existed or were

likely.likely.

Examples of real conditions of fact in the past

If she was in class, she definitely took If she was in class, she definitely took notes.notes.

If he left before 9:00 a.m., he’ll be here for If he left before 9:00 a.m., he’ll be here for lunch.lunch.

If Fred went to the party last night, he If Fred went to the party last night, he didn’t study for the test.didn’t study for the test.

Note

Uses 1, “real conditions of fact in the Uses 1, “real conditions of fact in the present or future” and 2, “real conditions of present or future” and 2, “real conditions of fact in the past” are the same as “real” fact in the past” are the same as “real” conditions mentioned in our textbook.conditions mentioned in our textbook.

Uses of “if”clauses

3. To express real conditions of prediction.3. To express real conditions of prediction. This refers to conditions that exist or are likely.This refers to conditions that exist or are likely. This is the same as conditions of “future This is the same as conditions of “future

prediction” in our book.prediction” in our book.

Examples of real conditions of prediction

If you study hard, you will be prepared for If you study hard, you will be prepared for the quiz.the quiz.

If you buy that car, you’ll be sorry.If you buy that car, you’ll be sorry. If I don’t finish this project, the boss will If I don’t finish this project, the boss will

be mad.be mad.

Uses of “if”clauses

4. To express conditions that are not true—4. To express conditions that are not true—in other words they are ‘contrary to fact’-- in other words they are ‘contrary to fact’-- in the present or expected future. Our in the present or expected future. Our textbook calls these “speculation about the textbook calls these “speculation about the present or future.”present or future.”

Examples of conditions that are not true in the present or future

If I had enough money, I would take a trip If I had enough money, I would take a trip to Hawaii.to Hawaii.

If Fred knew French, he could get a job in If Fred knew French, he could get a job in Montreal.Montreal.

If I were you, I wouldn’t do that.If I were you, I wouldn’t do that.

Uses of “if” clauses

5. To express conditions that were not true 5. To express conditions that were not true in the past. Our textbook calls these in the past. Our textbook calls these “speculation about the past.”“speculation about the past.”

Examples of conditions that were not true in the past If I had studied more, I would have done better on If I had studied more, I would have done better on

the test.the test. If I had been born in Mexico, I would have If I had been born in Mexico, I would have

learned Spanish as a child.learned Spanish as a child. If I had had time, I would have watched the news If I had had time, I would have watched the news

last night.last night. If I had not had to study for a test, I could have If I had not had to study for a test, I could have

gone to Bill’s party last weekend.gone to Bill’s party last weekend.

MEANING

Meaning: real conditions of fact in the present/future Events or situations in the present or future:Events or situations in the present or future:

If I have enough money, I will buy a new If I have enough money, I will buy a new calculator. calculator.

Right now, I don’t know if I have enough money or Right now, I don’t know if I have enough money or not, but it’s possible. I’ll check and if I do, I’ll buy not, but it’s possible. I’ll check and if I do, I’ll buy a new calculator.a new calculator.

If I see Mary, I’ll tell her about the party. If I see Mary, I’ll tell her about the party. I don’t know if I’ll see her, but it’s possible. If I do, I don’t know if I’ll see her, but it’s possible. If I do,

I’ll tell her about the party.I’ll tell her about the party.

Sometimes “should” is used in this type of sentence ““Should” adds a little more doubt as to Should” adds a little more doubt as to

whether or not the condition will exist.whether or not the condition will exist. If Bill should call while I’m gone, tell him If Bill should call while I’m gone, tell him

that I’ll call him back later tonight.that I’ll call him back later tonight. I don’t know if Bill will call--probably not--, I don’t know if Bill will call--probably not--,

but if he does….but if he does….

Meaning: real conditions of fact in the present/future Events or situations in the general or Events or situations in the general or

extended present:extended present: If the temperature goes below 32 degrees, the If the temperature goes below 32 degrees, the

streets get slick. (Normally, the streets get slick streets get slick. (Normally, the streets get slick anytime the temperature falls below 32 anytime the temperature falls below 32 degrees.)degrees.)

If enough students don’t enroll in a course, it If enough students don’t enroll in a course, it must be canceled.must be canceled.

Meaning: real conditions of fact in the past. I thought that if I had enough money, I would buy I thought that if I had enough money, I would buy

a new calculator. a new calculator. At that time I didn’t know if I had enough At that time I didn’t know if I had enough

money. When I checked I would know if I had money. When I checked I would know if I had enough to buy the calculator.enough to buy the calculator.

We had a cold winter in 1992, and if the We had a cold winter in 1992, and if the temperature went below 32 degrees, the streets got temperature went below 32 degrees, the streets got slick. slick. Normally, when that condition happened, slick Normally, when that condition happened, slick

streets were the result.streets were the result.

Conditions that are not true in the present or future: hypothetical or contrary-to-fact “if” clauses ExamplesExamples

If I had enough money, I would buy a new If I had enough money, I would buy a new calculator. (Right now, I know that I don’t calculator. (Right now, I know that I don’t have enough money.)have enough money.)

If the temperature went below 32 degrees, the If the temperature went below 32 degrees, the streets would get slick. (Now, or in the streets would get slick. (Now, or in the immediate future, the temperature isn’t immediate future, the temperature isn’t expected to go that low.)expected to go that low.)

Conditions that were not true in the past: hypothetical or contrary-to-fact “if” clauses. ExamplesExamples

If I had had enough money, I would have If I had had enough money, I would have bought a new calculator. bought a new calculator.

At sometime in the past I didn’t have enough At sometime in the past I didn’t have enough money, so I didn’t buy a calculatormoney, so I didn’t buy a calculator

If the temperature had gone below 32 degrees, If the temperature had gone below 32 degrees, the streets would have gotten slick. the streets would have gotten slick.

At that time, the temperature didn’t go that At that time, the temperature didn’t go that low, so the streets didn’t get slick.low, so the streets didn’t get slick.

FORMS

Verb forms in neutral “if” clauses—present or future. The verb of the “if” clause is usually in the The verb of the “if” clause is usually in the

simple present, the verb of the result clause simple present, the verb of the result clause is usually in the simple present or future.is usually in the simple present or future. If I If I havehave time, I usually time, I usually eateat breakfast breakfast

before class.before class. If Congress If Congress passespasses the new tax law, many the new tax law, many

people people will bewill be confused. confused.

Verb forms in neutral “if” clauses—past. The verb of the “if” clause is in any The verb of the “if” clause is in any

appropriate past, and the verb of the result appropriate past, and the verb of the result clause is in any appropriate past.clause is in any appropriate past. If Fred If Fred wentwent to the party last night, he to the party last night, he

probably probably didn’t dodidn’t do his homework. his homework. If the book If the book waswas published in 1994, the published in 1994, the

author author hadhad probably probably finishedfinished the research the research before that.before that.

Verb forms in contrary-to-fact “if” clauses in the present or future. The verb of the “if” clause is in the simple The verb of the “if” clause is in the simple

past; the verb of the result clause is past; the verb of the result clause is composed of composed of would/could/mightwould/could/might + the base + the base form of verb.form of verb. If I If I knewknew the answer, I the answer, I would tellwould tell you. you. If Twin Falls If Twin Falls werewere a large city, we a large city, we would would

havehave better public transportation. better public transportation.

Verb forms in contrary-to-fact “if” clauses in the past. The verb of the “if” clause is in the past perfect; The verb of the “if” clause is in the past perfect;

the verb of the result clause is composed of the verb of the result clause is composed of would/could/mightwould/could/might have + past participle. have + past participle. If Napoleon If Napoleon had wonhad won at Waterloo, the history of at Waterloo, the history of

Europe Europe would have beenwould have been much different. much different. If my parents If my parents had hadhad had more children, I more children, I would would

have hadhave had to share my room with a brother. to share my room with a brother.

THINGS TO WATCH OUT FOR

Similar forms

The form of neutral “if” clauses in the past is the The form of neutral “if” clauses in the past is the same as the form for contrary-to-fact “if” clauses same as the form for contrary-to-fact “if” clauses in the present.in the present. Context and the verb form used in the result clause will Context and the verb form used in the result clause will

indicate whether the sentence is neutral or contrary-to-indicate whether the sentence is neutral or contrary-to-fact.fact.

Examples:Examples: If she knew the answer, she didn’t tell me.If she knew the answer, she didn’t tell me.

• PastPast If she knew the answer, she would tell me.If she knew the answer, she would tell me.

• PresentPresent

Were

Whenever a form of “be” is the main verb Whenever a form of “be” is the main verb in a contrary to fact “if” clause in the in a contrary to fact “if” clause in the present, the correct form to use is “were.”present, the correct form to use is “were.” If I were you, I would study if clauses more.If I were you, I would study if clauses more. If the weather were nicer, we could go to the If the weather were nicer, we could go to the

park for a picnic.park for a picnic. If I were rich, I would travel around the world.If I were rich, I would travel around the world.

Would have in the “if clause”

In informal spoken English, many people use In informal spoken English, many people use “would have” in both the “if” clause and the result “would have” in both the “if” clause and the result clause of conditional sentences referring to clause of conditional sentences referring to contrary to fact conditions in the past.contrary to fact conditions in the past. Example: If I would have known about the quiz, I Example: If I would have known about the quiz, I

would have studied more.would have studied more. This is not appropriate for academic uses.This is not appropriate for academic uses.

• The correct form is: If I had known about the The correct form is: If I had known about the quiz, I would have studied more.quiz, I would have studied more.

Spelling issues.

Normal contractions are usually used in all but the Normal contractions are usually used in all but the most formal writing.most formal writing. If you don’t wear a coat, you’ll catch cold.If you don’t wear a coat, you’ll catch cold.

Don’tDon’t is a normal contraction for is a normal contraction for do notdo not, and , and you’llyou’ll is a normal is a normal contraction for contraction for you willyou will..

If I finish my homework, I’ll go to the party.If I finish my homework, I’ll go to the party. I’llI’ll is a normal contraction for is a normal contraction for I willI will..

If I’d known about the party, I could’ve gone.If I’d known about the party, I could’ve gone. I’dI’d is a normal contraction for is a normal contraction for I hadI had, and , and could’vecould’ve is is

a normal contraction for a normal contraction for could havecould have..

More spelling issues

Many forms that are reduced in normal Many forms that are reduced in normal speaking do NOT have accepted contracted speaking do NOT have accepted contracted forms.forms. If it snows, my If it snows, my friends willfriends will go skiing this go skiing this

weekend.weekend.Friends willFriends will is normally reduced to is normally reduced to

ffriends’llriends’ll in speaking, but this is not an in speaking, but this is not an accepted contraction for accepted contraction for friends willfriends will..

Pronunciation issues.

Normal reductions are usually used in all Normal reductions are usually used in all but very formal public speaking.but very formal public speaking. However, unless there is an accepted However, unless there is an accepted

contraction for the reduced forms, they must be contraction for the reduced forms, they must be spelled out completely in academic writing.spelled out completely in academic writing.

Example

If Mary had had some money, she might If Mary had had some money, she might havehave bought the dress.bought the dress. Normal pronunciation: If Mary’d had some Normal pronunciation: If Mary’d had some

money, she might’ve (or even ‘mighta’) bought money, she might’ve (or even ‘mighta’) bought the dress.the dress.

The End