If (Part I)

Chapters 2 & 8, Book 6A New Welcome to English (Second Edition)

What do we need to do during bad weather?

If theres Blackin We need toabring Rainstorm Warning, plants if theres a we need stay number 3 to signal. inside.

If
We use if-sentences to talk about
something that must happen first before another thing happens. Made up of an if-clause and a main clause.

If-clause
If it rains,

Main clause

I wear a raincoat.
Then this happens.

This happens first.

If
The if-clause can come at the beginning or end of a sentence. e.g. We need to bring in plants if theres a number 3 signal. If theres a number 3 signal, we need to bring in plants.

Look and say. Example:

(sign / hanging dangerously / from a building / take it down)

Weaneed If sign to is hanging take a sign dangerously down if it from is hanging a building, we need to take dangerously fromit a down. building.

Now you try.

(a flood / clear the drains)

If theres a flood, we need to clear the drains. We need to clear the drains if theres a flood.

We need to leave home quickly if theres a landslide.

(landslide / leave home quickly)

If theres a landslide, we need to leave home quickly.

(boat /sinking / send a rescue team)

If a boat is sinking, we need to send a rescue team. We need to send a rescue team if a boat is sinking.

(homeless / open a shelter)

If people are homeless, we need to open a shelter. We need to open a shelter if people are homeless.

What should we do if we want to ride a bicycle?

If we want to ride a bicycle, we should ride it on a cycle path.

If
We can use should or should not in the main clause when we are giving suggestions or advice.

e.g.
If we want to ride a bicycle, we should ride it on a cycle path.

Look and say.

Example:

(cross the road / use a pedestrian crossing)

If we want to cross the road, we should use a pedestrian crossing.

Now you try.

(cross the road / use a footbridge)

If we want to cross the road, we should use a footbridge.

(a stranger / talk to us / not talk to him or her)

If a stranger talks to us, we should not talk to him or her.

(want to buy a snack after school / not buy food from a hawker)

If we want to buy a snack after school, we should not buy food from a hawker.

Practice
go to bed (go / bed) 1 If I am tired, I _________.
should do 2 If you want to get fitter, you ________ ____________. more exercise (do / exercise) 3 If you have a fever, you ____________ should go to __________. (go / doctor) the doctor 4 If you drop an egg, it _______. (break) breaks 5 If you want to have good results in exams, you _______________. (work hard) should work hard 6 If she is happy, she ______. laughs (laugh)