CONDITIONAL SENTENCE

Conditional Sentence

= If Clause + Main Clause/Main Clause + If Clause

A. REAL CONDITIONAL SENTENCE (TYPE I)

1. Nature : Open condition, what is said in the condition is possible.
2. Time : This condition refers either to present or to future time.
Conditional clause
If + Present Tense

Main clause
will + inf / present tense / imperative

a. If you help me with the dishes (if + pres),

I will help you with your homework. (will + inf)
b. If the sum of the digits of a number is divisible by three,
the number is divisible by three (Pres. tense)
c. If you see Mr Fox tonight, tell him I am ill. (imperative).
The fact at the present
a. Maybe you will help. Maybe you will not help
b. The sum of the digits of the number may be divisible by three,
or not.
c. You may see Mr. Fox or you may not see.

B. UNREAL CONDITIONAL SENTENCE IN THE PRESENT (TYPE II)

1. Nature : unreal (impossible) or improbable situations.
2. Time
: present; the TENSE is past, but we are talking about the present, now.
Conditional clause
If + Past Tense

Main clause
would + inf

a. If I knew her name, I would tell you.

b. If I were you, I would tell my father.
c. I would stop teaching, if I won a million pounds
The fact at the present

a. Because I do not know her name, so I do not tell you.

b. Because I am not you, so I do not tell your father.
c. I do not stop teaching, because I do not win a million pounds.

C. UNREAL CONDITIONAL SENTENCE IN THE PAST (TYPE III)

1. Nature : unreal
2. Time
: Past (so we are talking about a situation that was not so in the past.)
Conditional clause
Main clause
If + Past Perfect Tense
would have + past participle
a. If you had warned me, I would not have told your father
about that party.
b. If she had not come late, she would have got the present.

The fact in the past

a. Because you did not warn me, so I told your father about that
party.
b. Because came late, she did not get the present.
Note: If can be omitted, but the auxiliary verb of the if clause must be placed in the
first sentence. For instances:
1. If I had known, I would have told you
Had I known, I would have told you
2. If I were you, I would talk to him
Were I you, I would talk to him
3. If he should call, tell him I am not in my office
Should he call, tell him I am not in my office

References:
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/conditional2.htm
Lou, R. 2006. English Grammar and How To use It. English Plus: Jakarta

Exercise:
I.

Complete the conditional sentence below with the correct answer.

1. I would not have been (not, be) soaked if it hadnt rained hard.
2. If I __________________ (be), I will talk to you.
3. If I __________________ (be) you, I would forgive him.
4. You _________________ (not, pass) if you did not study.
5. If I __________________ (hate) her, I wouldnt take her.
6. If you wouldnt be so much noise if there ___________________________ (not, be) so
many children.
7. I ___________________________ (not, know) my wife if you hadnt introduced her to
me 15 years ago.
8. We ____________________ (not, be) friends if I hadnt met you.
9. If it ______________________ (not, be) hot, I will drink it.
10. I would have told you, if I _____________________ (know) it.

II. Make a conditional sentence based on the fact below. Start your sentence with If.
1. I dont have a car. If I had a car, I would go to Bandung.
2. I am not rich. ________________________________________________________
3. I didnt report it to the police. ___________________________________________
4. The thief stole my camera. _____________________________________________
5. Liana may not come. __________________________________________________
6. I didnt know that she had been home. ____________________________________
7. My friends are waiting for me. __________________________________________
8. She likes you. ________________________________________________________
9. They may make wrong decisions. ________________________________________
10. Selvi is not my boss. __________________________________________________
11. I had had my dinner. __________________________________________________
12. The building was done three years ago. ____________________________________
13. He wasnt at home. ____________________________________________________
14. I am hungry. _________________________________________________________
15. I may have a vacation next week. _________________________________________
16. I dont understand. ____________________________________________________
17. She is not here. _______________________________________________________
18. They didnt study harder. _______________________________________________
19. He is doing his homework. ______________________________________________
20. I am not your brother. __________________________________________________