Conditional Sentence

        

Conditional sentences are sentences expressing factual implications, or hypothetical situations and their consequences. They are so called because the validity of the main clause of the sentence is conditional on the existence of certain circumstances, which may be expressed in a dependent clause or may be understood from the context.

A full conditional sentence (one which expresses the condition as well as its consequences) therefore contains two clauses: the dependent clause expressing the condition, called the protasis; and the main clause expressing the consequence, called the apoptosis.  An example of such a sentence (in English) is the following:

If it rains, the picnic will be cancelled.

Here the condition is expressed by the clause "If it rains", this being the protasis, while the consequence is expressed by "the picnic will be cancelled", this being the apodosis. (The protasis may either precede or follow the apoptosis; it is equally possible to say "The picnic will be cancelled if it rains".) In terms of logic, the protasis corresponds to the antecedent, and the apodosis to the consequent.

Languages use a variety of grammatical forms and constructions in conditional sentences. The forms of verbs used in the protasis and apodosis are often subject to particular rules in regards to their tense and mood. Many languages have a specialized type of verb form called the conditional mood – broadly equivalent in meaning to the English "would (do something)" – for use in some types of conditional sentence.

There are various ways of classifying conditional sentences. One distinction is between those that state an implication between facts, and those that set up and refer to a hypothetical situation. There is also the distinction between conditionals that are considered factual or predictive, and those that are considered counterfactual or speculative (referring to a situation that did not or does not really exist).

A conditional sentence expressing an implication (also called a factual conditional sentence) essentially states that if one fact holds, then so does another. (If the sentence is not a declarative sentence, then the consequence may be expressed as an order or a question rather than a statement.) The facts are usually stated in whatever grammatical tense is appropriate to them; there are not normally special tense or mood patterns for this type of conditional sentence. Such sentences may be used to express a certainty, a universal statement, a law of science, etc. (in these cases if may often be replaced by when):

If you heat water to 100 degrees, it boils.

If the sea is stormy, the waves are high

There are three types of conditional sentences:

 Uses of the Conditional

1. First conditional
1. Nature: Open condition, what is said in the condition is possible.
2. Time: This condition refers either to present or to future time.
   e.g. If he is late, we will have to go without him.
   If my mother knows about this, we are in serious trouble.
2. Second conditional
1. Nature: unreal (impossible) or improbable situations.
2. Time: present; the TENSE is past, but we are talking about the present, now.
   e.g. If I knew her name, I would tell you.
   If I were you, I would tell my father.
   Compare: If I become president, I will change the social security system. (Said by a presidential candidate)
   If I became president, I would change the social security system. (Said by a schoolboy: improbable)
   If we win this match, we are qualified for the semifinals.
   If I won a million pounds, I would stop teaching. (improbable)
3. Third conditional
1. Nature: unreal
2. Time: Past (so we are talking about a situation that was not so in the past.)
   e.g. If you had warned me, I would not have told your father about that party.(But you didn't, and I have).

Remember!

1. The conditional construction does not normally use will or would in if-clauses. EXCEPTION: If will or would express willingness, as in requests, they can be used in if-clauses.

     e.g. If you will come this way, the manager will see you now.
I would be grateful if you would give me a little help.
(= ± please, come this way; please, give me...)

2.  For the second conditional, were replaces was:

     If I were a rich man...

3.  After if, we can either use "some(-one, -where...)" or "any(-one, -where...).

     If I have some spare time next weekend....or :
If I have any spare time...

4.  Instead of if not, we can use unless.

     e.g. I'll be back tomorrow unless there is a plane strike.
He'll accept the job unless the salary is too low.

5.  There is a "mixed type" as well, for the present results of an unreal condition in the past:

     If + Past Perfect - would + inf.
If you had warned me [then], I would not be in prison [now].

Activity 2

Conditional Sentences

1.  Complete the conditional sentences type 3 below!

     - If I (have) . . . . enough apples, I would have baked an apple pie this afternoon.

     - If Radit had had a new car, he would have (drive) . . . .  to Bali very often.

2.  Complete the conditional sentences type 2 below!

     - If Hendy (be) . . . .  very smart, he would study to USA.

     - If I (teach) . . . .  this class, I would give tests.

3.  Change the conditional sentences type 1 into conditional sentences type 2 below!

a. If I don’t slip on the ice, I will not break my arm.

     b. If Lily is at home, I will visit her.

4.  Change the conditional sentences type 2 into conditional sentences type 3 below!

     a. If my friends studied well, they would pass the exam.

     b. If my brother told me about the problem, I would help him.

5.  Complete the following conditional sentences by using your own words!

a. If I had had much money, I . . . . .

     b. If I were you, I . . . .

Activity 3

(Conditional Sentences)

1.  Change the sentences below into real fact of the conditional sentences type 3!

     - If I had had enough apples, I would have baked an apple pie this afternoon.

     - If Radit had had a new car, he would have driven to Bali very often.

2.  From number 1 above, change the conditional sentences type 3 into the conditional sentences type 2!

3.  Change the conditional sentences type 3 below into the conditional sentences type 1!

     a. If Agus had been at home, I would have visited her.

     b. If my students had studied well, they would have passed the final exam.

4.  Change the conditional sentences type 2 into conditional sentences type 3, then find the truth      sentences!

      a. If I had much money, I would go to Bandung.

      b. I f I were you, I would accept their invitation.

5.  Identify the error in the following sentences by choosing the wrong one among A, B, C, D or E, and then correct the error!!

   - If Mr.  Budiman  is  in  the  hospital, I  would have  sent  him  a  note  and  some  flowers.

                                 A        B                                                    C                  D                   E

   - If  Rudy  had not  lend  you  his  book, so  you  would  not  have helped  him  during  the  test.

                       A           B            C                     D                                             E