Page 204 - DENG401_Advance Communication Skills

Unit 11: Conditional Sentences

II. Unreal Conditional Sentences Notes
Tense If Clause: Result Clause: Formula
Present If I had a car, I would take you Simple Past + Would +
Unreal places. Base Form of Verb
Past Unreal If I had had a car, I would have taken Past Perfect + Would +
you places. Have + Past Participle

Additional Information:
1. In present unreal, the verb "to be" becomes "were" for all subjects.
2. Could or might may be used in the result clause. However, the meaning changes.
Would expresses a definite intention, whereas could expresses a possibility or an
ability and might expresses a possibility
3. Progressive forms can be used in both clauses

4. Present unreal conditions can also be used to express a future condition; however,
unlike the factual future conditions, these mean that it is improbable the condition
will take place.

5. In contrary to fact conditions, positive means negative and negative means positive.

Example:
1. If Jane were my boss, she would treat me better.
2. (a) If Jane were my boss, she could treat me better.
(b) If Jane were our boss, we might be able to do that.

3. (a) If I were going with you, I would be happier.
(b) If I were with you, we would all be having fun.
4. If you were going with us on the trip, we could have a great time.
5. If you were not singing, we would be so happy!!!

11.3 Conditional Sentences

Type I : Real Conditional

(a) If + Simple present + will

Both condition and result are very likely to happen
If John gets a good result, he will (he'll) study medicine.
If he fails his exams, he will go abroad.
(b) If + Simple present + Imperative

This is a way of giving advice or instructions
If you feel tired, drink a cup of coffee.
If you can't wake up, buy an alarm clock.
If you see my wife, tell her I'll be late for dinner.

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