Conditional Clause

Conditional Sentences: 

            Conditional sentences consist of a main clause and a conditional clause (sometimes called an if-clause). The conditional clause usually begins with if or unless. The conditional clause can come before or after the main clause. "If" one thing happens, "then" it leads to another thing. For example, "If I drink this cup of tea, I will feel more awake." You can also refer to these sentences as a "conditional clause" or an "if clause." It simply means that one thing is required for something else to occur or exist.

            Conditional Clauses are introduced by if, even if, if only, incase, in the event of, on condition that, supposing(that), as long as, Whether…. Or.

                (eg) If you want to meet him, you must go to his house.

                        Unless we defeat them by three goals, we cannot enter the finals.

                        Supposing that elections are held now, we have very little chance.

Conditional Sentences are of four types.

        (i)   Probable  Conditional
        (ii)  Improbable  Conditional
       (iii)  Unfulfilled Conditional

       (iv)   Zero Conditional

(i) Probable  conditional:

                   Here the Verb in the Conditional clause is in the present tense and the verb in the main clause is in the future tense. The condition is quite probable.

                        (eg) If you have finished writing, you can go.

                                If you want to get a job, you must pass all the exam.

                                If the weather is good, our crops will flourish.

                

(ii) Improbable  conditional:

                The Verb in the Conditional Clause is in the Past tense. It refer to an imaginary situation. This shows that the condition is unreal. The Verb in the main Clause is Would + Infinitive.

                        (eg) If I had a lot of money, I would go around the world.

                                If I were a bird, I would fly in the sky.

                                If the weather improved, our crops would flourish.
                                                                

(iii) Unfulfilled Conditional:

                    The Verb in the Conditional Clause is in the past perfect tense and the Verb in the Main Clause is Would, Could, Might have + past participle form of Verb. The Conditional Clause refers to a past action that didn’t take place and the condition remains unfulfilled. This type of sentence is used when making excuses, showing regret, blaming, or giving an explanation.

                        (eg) If you had come a little earlier, you could have met him.

                                If I hadn’t been wearing a raincoat, I would have got drenched.

                                If you had studied well, you would have passed the exam.

                                If the weather had improved, our crops would have flourished.

(iv)  Zero Conditional:

                 We can make a zero conditional sentence with two present simple verbs — one in the ‘if clause’ and one in the ‘main clause. This tense is used when the result will always happen.

  

                        (eg) If you touch a fire, you get burned.

                                If ice melts, it becomes water.

                                You get water, if you mix hydrogen and oxygen.

Omission of ‘If’ with inversion:

             Sometimes, hypothetical Conditional Statements or Unfulfilled hypothetical statements can be expressed omitting the word ‘If’. When this happens the subject follows the auxiliary verb in the Conditional Clause.

                    (eg) 1. Were the virus to reappear, hospitals would now be ready for it. (Open hypothetical)

                                If the virus reappeared, hospitals would now be ready for it.

                           2.  Had I known, I’d never have gone there. (Unfulfilled hypothesis)

                                If I had known, I’d never have gone there.