CONDITIONALS: REAL CONDITIONALS

USE:
To talk about real possibilities in "general time" and uncertain but possible events in
the future.
FORM:
The condition clause begins with IF/IF... NOT (or sometimes UNLESS).The verb is
usually in the present.
The result clause usually contains Present Tense verbs (to talk about possibilities
in "general time") or Future Tense verbs and Modals such as CAN, MAY, MUST, or
SHOULD (to talk about uncertain events in the future).
You can begin a sentence with either a condition or a result clause.
POSSIBILITIES IN GENERAL TIME
(Verb in result clause is in the Present.)
EXAMPLES:
CONDITION CLAUSE
Unless you give
plants enough water,
If it isn't coldenough,

RESULT CLAUSE

RESULT CLAUSE
"It's time to eat
"Talk to your plants

CONDITION CLAUSE
unless you are not hungry."
if you want them to grow."

they die."
it doesn't snow."

UNCERTAIN EVENTS IN THE FUTURE

(The result clause has Future verb or Modal.)
EXAMPLES:
CONDITION CLAUSE
"
If you say that again,
"
If it rains,
"
If she doesn't study,

RESULT CLAUSE
I'm going to hit you!"
I'll take an umbrella."
she may fail the exam."

RESULT CLAUSE
"
They will come to the party
"
I'm going to buy a new dress
"
He won't wash the car

CONDITION CLAUSE
if they find a baby-sitter."
if I get paid today."
unless you pat him."

Practice

1. I've never cooked chicken with rice before.

- It's easy, but if you cook it too long, the chicken gets tough.
2.

Do you think Tim

will go
- If he is, I know he will

to Barclay University if he is accepted?

3.

I like both. If you dont want to spend a lot of money, crosscountry is better. .

4. Do you have plans for the weekend, Gary?

- Yes. Were going sailing unless the weather is bad. Why don't you come,
too?
- Thank you. That sounds like fun.
5. According to the weather report, if it keeps raining, the river will flood by
morning.
6. This English correspondence course sounds unrealistic.
- Why is that?
- It says if you listen to their tapes for three weeks, you will lose your
foreign accent.
7. Does Tom call home from the university very often?
- We call him. He can't make calls from the dormitory unless
he calls collect.
8. Hi, Betty. Do you think you could lend me $5?
- Don't you have any money?
- No. If you lend it to me, I promise Ill pay you back by Friday.
9. Jim saw an ad in the newspaper for an accounting position. It said, "If
you meet these qualifications, call us today."

Test
1. - I'm so nervous about my first job interview, Mom.
- That's natural, but if you dont try, you wont even have a chance.
- I guess you're right.
2. - Is Susan coming home to visit this weekend?
- She said she might. If she comes
,
I will call you.
- Good. I'd like to see her
3. - The town festival starts tonight, doesn't it?
- Yes. If you like fireworks, you really should attend.
- Ill be there even if I have to bring my little brothers.
4. You are crazy if you think you can make me change my opinion.
5. You cant have dessert unless you eat all your dinner.

Max's Dream Vacation

Last year I worked at the post office for the summer. Unusual things can
happen there. One of the mail carriers, Max, wanted to go to Hawaii. One
day, Max thought, "I'm tired of this job. I am going to Hawaii!" He didn't have
enough money, but he had an idea. The next day, Max wasn't at work.
Everyone looked

for Max,

but

A few minutes later, Melvin, his boss,

quickly. I found Max!"

no
shouted,

one

found him.

"Hey, everyone,

come

"Where is he?" they asked. "Well," began Melvin, "I always weigh the packages in
the afternoon.
I found a very large, heavy package. It had some small holes in it. On the
package I saw a
lot
of stamps and an address in Hawaii.
Suddenly, I heard
a noise inside the box. I opened it, and ha! There was Max!"
"What are you doing here?" I asked. "I need a vacation," Max said.
"But I don't have enough money. So I tried to mail myself to Hawaii!"