IF CLAUSE

10.1 SUMMART OF BASIC VERB FORM USAGE IN CONDITIONAL SENTENCES

MEANING OF VERB FORM IN VERB FORM IN
THE “IF THE “IF THE “RESULT
CLAUSE” CLAUSE” CLAUSE
True in the Simple present Simple present/ a) If I have enough time, I write to my
present/furure simple future parents every week
b) If I have enough time tomorrow, I
will write to my parents
Untrue in the Simple past Would + simple c) If I had enough time now, I would
present/future form write to my parents ( in truth, I do
not have enough time, so I will not
write to them)
Untrue in the past Past perfect Would have + past d) If I had had enough time, I would
participle have written to my parents
yesterday. (in truth, I did not have
enough time, so I did not write to
them)

(Adapted from Understanding and Using

English Grammar)
10.2 TRUE IN THE PRESENT OR FUTURE
e) If I don’t eat breakfast, I always get hungry In (e) : The simple present is used in the result clause to
during class. express a habitual activity or situation.
In (f) : Either the simple present or the simple future is
f) Water freezes (will freeze) if the temperature used in the result clause to express an established,
goes below predictable fact.
320 F/00 C In (g) and (h) : The simple future is used in the result
g) If I don’t eat breakfast tomorrow morning, I clause when the sentence concerns a particular activity
will get or situation in the future.
hungry during class. Note : the simple present, not the simple future, is used
h) If the weather is nice tomorrow, we will go on in the “if clause”
picnic.
(Adapted from Understanding and Using English Grammar)

10.3 UNTRUE (CONTRARY TO FACT) IN THE PRESENT/ FUTURE

(i) If I taught this class, I wouldn’t give test. In (i) : in truth, I don’t teach this class.
(j) If he were right now, he would help us. In (j) : in truth, he is not here right now.
(k) if I were you, I would accept their invitation In (k) : in truth, I am not you.
Note : Were is used for both singular and plural
subjects. Was (with I, he she, it) is sometimes used in
very informal speech but is not generally considered
grammatically acceptable.

(Adapted from Understanding and Using English Grammar)

Task 1
Analyze the sentences below. Which sentences are incorrect?

1. If you send this letter now, she receive it tomorrow.

2. If I do this test, I improve my English.
3. If I find your ring, I’ll give it back to you.
4. Peggy will goes shopping if she has time in the afternoon.
5. Simon will go to London next week if he gets a cheap flight.
6. If her boyfriend doesn’t phone today, she leave him.
7. If they don’t study harder, they will not pass the exam.
8. If it rains tomorrow, I won’t have to water the plants.
9. You won’t be able to sleep if you watch this scary film.
10. Susan can’t move into the new house if it doesn’t ready on time.

Task 2
Complete the sentences with the verbs in parentheses.

1. If I have enough apples, I (bake) …………….. an apple pie this afternoon.

2. If I had enough apples, I (bake) …………….. an apple pie this afternoon.
3. I will fix your bicycle if I (have) …………… a screwdriver of the proper size.
4. I would fix your bicycle if I (have) …………. A screwdriver of the proper size.
5. I (make) ………….. a tomato salad for the picnic tomorrow if the tomatoes in my garden were ripe.
6. I (make) ………….. a tomato salad for the picnic tomorrow if the tomatoes in my garden are ripe.
7. Jack would shave today if he (have) ………… a sharp razor.
8. Jack will shave today if he (have) …………… a sharp razor
9. Sally always answers the phone if she (be) ….. in her office.
10. Sally would answer the phone if she (be) ……..in her office right now.
REVIEW OF V1,V2,V3