Conditional Sentences Conditional sentences describe cause-and-effect relationships, possibility in the future, and rethinking the past. If she studies hard, she gets good grades. If they won the lottery, they would quit working. If I had gotten an A, I would have already graduated.
Forming Conditional Sentences If clause (adverb clause): If it is sunny… Independent clause: we go to the beach. If it is sunny, we go to the beach. We go to the beach if it is sunny.
Unless in Conditional Sentences Use unless to write about something that could happen if something else does not happen. Unless the doctors operate immediately, she will die. The dance will be held outside unless it rains.
Even if in Conditional Sentences Use even if to write about something that will have no effect on the situation. Even if he is accepted at UCLA, he won’t be able to afford the tuition. We are going camping even if it snows.
Real Situations in the Present or Future If the temperature falls below 32°, the roads freeze. If I don’t write a to-do list, I always forget. If it rains, the company usually postpones the spring picnic. If I don’t get up by 6:00A.M., I will be late. If the storm continues, the river may flood.
Hypothetical Situations (not real but might happen) in the Present or Future If my parents were here, they would help us. (In truth, my parents are not here, so they cannot help us.) If I had a million dollars, I would quit my job. (In truth, I don’t have a million dollars, so I won’t quit my job.) If I were you, I would study more. If she were taller, she could play volleyball. (Use were for singular and plural subjects.)
Hypothetical Situations (not real but might happen) in the Past Use this if you want to change the past! If I had graduated last June, I would have gone to graduate school in September. (In truth, I didn’t graduate, so I didn’t go to graduate school.) If Khan hadn’t been late for the interview, he could have gotten the job. (In truth, he was late, so he did not get the job.)
Mixed Hypothetical Situations Untrue condition in the past with an untrue result in the present. If he had written a best-selling novel, he would be famous now. (In truth, he did not write a best-selling novel, so he is not famous now.) Untrue condition in the present with an untrue result in the past. If I had a car, I would have driven you to school. (In truth, I don’t have a car, so I couldn’t have driven you to school.)
Correct the errors in these conditional sentences. 1.If I drive to school, I would be on time for class. 2.If she teaches the class again, she will assign fewer essays. She would also do other assignments differently. 3.If Julie were invited to the party yesterday, she would have gone. 4.If I was you, I would buy a new car. 5.If the sun had risen earlier, Mr. Gupta would meditate on the beach this morning.