The conditional sentences in English language sentence

CONDITIONAL SENTENCES (If clause)

These are kinds of sentences which require a certain condition / situation to be fulfilled before a certain action could take place.

These are sentences that give conditions

Therefore any conditional sentence has two main parts. The –if clause and the main clause.

Example; in the sentence        “If he comes, I will go out”

                                    “If he comes” is the if-clause and “I will go out” is the main clause.

A.     AN IF CLAUSE       (dependent clause)

This contains a condition and it depends on the main clause to fulfill its meaning.

The If clause is the subordinate i.e. it cannot stand by itself because it does not express complete thoughts. It is sometimes known as dependent clause.

Example

i)                    If John comes ……………………

ii)                  If I work hard …………………….

iii)                If you study hard ………………….

iv)                If I were God ……………………

v)                  If I know them …………………..

vi)                If I find a house ………………….

vii)              If I were you ……………………..

EXERCISE

Complete the following type 1 conditional sentences by using the words of your own choice and the words given in the brackets.

1.      If he comes late to school, he …………….. (punish)

2.      If she gets a pen, she …………. (write) a letter.

3.      If the driver drives carefully, the traffic officer ………. (not stop) him.

4.      My parents …………….. (not praise) me if I become the last in class.

5.      If Asha sells her car, she ………… (get) ………….

6.      If it rains, we …………. (grow) ………..

7.      If you tell us a story, we …………… (thankful).

8.      If we work hard, we …………… (succeed).

9.      If they go to bed early, they ……………… (wake) up ……..

10.  If she walks slowly, she ………….. (get) ……………..

11.  If you visit us again next year, we ………….. (happy) …………

12.  They ………… (pass) …………… if they study hard.

13.  I ……………… (see) if I go to his house.

14.  If he buys a dictionary, he …………… (use) ………

15.  If I get money, I ………….. (buy) …………

These sentences are called if clause in conditional sentences because they contain IF at the beginning of their sentences.

B.     THE MAIN CLAUSE (independent clause)

This has complete meaning, it does not depend on other clauses to fulfill the meaning. It can stand by itself as a sentence.

Examples

i)                    I will tell my friend.

ii)                  I shall enjoy myself.

iii)                My parents will be happy.

iv)                He will marry my young sister.

v)                  I will give the money for him.

vi)                She will marry my young brother.

TYPES OF CONDITIONAL SENTENCES

There are three types of conditional sentences in English. Each kind contains a different pair of tenses.

1.      Conditional type 1.

2.      Conditional type 2.

3.      Conditional type 3.

CONDITIONAL TYPE 1 SENTENCE

It is also called open condition. It expresses likely condition.

It tells us something will take place, if a certain condition fulfilled. This condition may or may not be fulfilled. This means that the action in the main clause in type 1 is likely to happen only if the condition in the if-clause is fulfilled.

Example;

i)                    If she buys a pen, she will write a letter.

ii)                  If they get money, they will buy a new bus.

iii)                If she comes here, I will tell her a story.

Note:

(i)                 It doesn’t matter which part of the two comes first.

Example; I will tell her a story if she comes here.

(ii)               In other words:

If you begin with the If clause you end it with a comma.

Example;  1. If you speak so softly, I won’t hear you.

I won’t hear you if you speak so softly.

                  2. I will tell her a story if she comes here.

                        If she comes here, I will tell her a story.

(iii)             The verb in the If clause is in the simple present tense while the verb in the is in the simple future time.

FORM

If + Subject + the simple present tense (in the if clause) and Subject + will/shall/can/may +infinitive verb (in the main clause.

OR

If + simple present + future

Example

1.      If she loves him, she will marry him.

2.      If I teach him, he can speak English.

3.      If you study hard, you will pass well the examination.

4.      If he comes, I will go there.

5.      If he goes to school late, he will be punished by the headmaster.

6.      If they miss the ship, they will travel by plane.

7.      If you bring us the books, we will read them at home.

In all the above sentences it is quite probable that actions indicted in the if-clause can be performed.

CONDITIONAL CLAUSE TYPE II (impossible/unlikely condition)

It is also known as unreal/closed/improbable/imaging condition.

Unreal condition suggests that an action cannot be fulfilled because the condition in the If-clause in type II is impossible for it indicates unreality.

Example;

a)      If he come. I would see him.

b)      If you told them, they would do the work.

c)      If he joined school, he would get same education.

In this case the actions indicated in the three If-clause are not expected to be fulfilled.

The verb in the if-clause is in the simple past while the verb in the main clause is in the conditional tense.

So in this type of conditional one is just imagining only.

FORM

If + simple past + would/could/should

More examples;

i)                    If I were Asha, I would not stay there. (But I’m not Asha)

ii)                  If I were God, I would heal all the inability people.

iii)                If you studied hard, you would pass your exams.

iv)                If Christopher went to England, he would see an England team.

v)                  If Martin came, we could go to town.

vi)                If you took the prefect form, you would be a prefect.

vii)              If my parent came to visit me, I would enjoy myself.

viii)            If I played hard, I would be selected to over seventeen team.

ix)                If my father was the president of this country, I would go to England.

x)                  If you lived near my office, you could come for tuition. (But you don’t live near my office, so you can’t)

EXERCISE

Change these open conditions into improbable conditionals.

1.      If he asks me, I will lend him money.

-If he asked me, I would lend him money.

2.      You will arrive there in time if the bus leaves early.

-You would arrive there in time if the bus left early.

3.      If William sees this mistake, he will be angry.

-If William saw this mistake, he would be angry.

4.      If the war continuous, more refugees will pour into our country.

-If the war continued, more refugees would pour into our country.

5.      If our team beaten in the final, the coach will be blamed.

-If our team beaten in the final, the coach would be blamed.

6.      If I got to London, I can study law.

-If I went to London, I could study law.

7.      If my father was the president, I will be the headmaster of this school.

-If my father was the president, I would be the headmaster of this school.

8.      If Helen saves 1000/- a week, she will get money for transport.

-I Helen saved 1000/- a week, she would get money for transport.

9.      If she comes late to school, she will be punished by the headmaster.

-If she came late to school, she would be punished by the headmaster.

10.  If she gets a pen, she will write a letter.

-If she got a pen, she would write a letter.

CONDITIONAL CLAUSE TYPE III (unfulfilled/impossible condition)

It is talking about the actions which should have taken place in the past, but did not take place.

This kind of conditional sentences cannot be fulfilled because sentences refer to actions which should have been taken place in the past but did not take place.

The sentences are said to be hypothetical. This means that the time is past and conditional cannot be fulfilled because the action in the If-clause didn’t take place or happen.

FORM

If + past perfect (had) + past participle + would have + past perfect

Examples

a)      If she had bought a pen, she would have written a letter.

(But she did not buy a pen therefore she did not write a letter)

b)      If they had got money, they would have bought a new bus.

(But they had no money so they did no buy a new bus)

c)      If she had come here, I would have told her a story.

(But she did not come here so I didn’t tell her a story)

In this type of conditional sentence, the verb in the if-clause is in the past perfect tense, the verb in the main clause is in the perfect conditional.

Example

a)      If you had ran, you would have fallen down.

b)      If he had come, I would have seen him.

c)      If she had failed, she would have cried.

NB: Conditional sentences do not always contain the if clause. For they (conditional sentences) can be expressed in some other ways.

Examples

a)      Had we known, we would not have gone.

b)      Unless you get permission, I will not allow you to go out.

c)      You can see the manager, provided that you make an appointment.

d)     Should they require my help, please let me know.

e)      Were I to help him, he would refuse.

EXERCISE

Change these unlikely conditions into unfulfilled conditionals.

1.      If you studied hard, you would pass your exams.

If you had studied hard, you would have passed you exams.

2.      If Christopher went to England, he would see an England team.

Is Christopher had gone to England, he would have seen an England team.

3.      If Martin came, we could go to town.

If Martin came, we would go to town.

4.      If my father was the president of this country, I would go to England.

If my father had been the president of this country, I would have gone to England.

5.      If I were God, I would heal all the inability people.

If I had been God, I would have healed all the inability people.

6.      If he came, I would see him.

If he had come, I would have seen him.

7.      If she failed, she would cry.

If she had failed, she would have cried.

8.      If she came to school late, she would be punished.

If she had come to school late, she would have been puninshed.

9.      If they left early for Tanga, they would arrive early.

If they had left early for Tanga, they would have arrived early.

10.  If he taught us English, we would know how to speak it correctly and fluently.

If he had taught us English, we would have known how to speak it correctly and fluently.

UNLESS

Unless means if not.

How to use unless;

1.      If he gets money, he will build a house.

2.      If he got money, he would build a house.

3.      If he had got money, he would have built a house.

In the following sentences “unless” is used in the place of “if”.

1.      Unless he gets money, he will not build a house.

2.      Unless he got money, he would not build a house.

3.      Unless he had got money, he would not have built a house.

EXERCISE

Use “unless” in the place of “if” in the following sentences.

1.      If they study hard, they will pass the examination.

Unless they study hard, they will not pass the examination.

2.      If she invites us, we shall go to her house.

Unless she invites us, we shall not go to her house.

3.      If he visits me, I shall show him my car.

Unless he visits me, I shall not show him my car.

4.      If you ask me a question, I shall be happy.

Unless you ask me a question, I shall not be happy.

5.      If he teaches us French, we shall speak it.

Unless he teaches us French, we shall not speak it.

EXERCISE

Change the following sentences into type II and use unless in the place of “if”.

1.      If they study hard, they will pass the examination.

Unless they studied hard, they would not pass the examination.

2.      If she invites us, we shall go to her house.

Unless she invited us, we should not go to her house.

3.      If he visits me, I shall show him my car.

Unless he visited me, I should not show him my car.

4.      If you ask me a question, I shall be happy.

Unless you asked me a question, I should not be happy.

5.      If he teaches us French, we shall speak it.

Unless he taught us French, we should not speak it.

HAD

It is used in place of if.

In the following sentences “had” is used in the place of “if” in type III conditional sentences.

1.      If he had got money, he would have built a house.

Had he got money, he would have built a house.

2.      If I had known the truth, I would have commented.

Had I known the truth, I would have commented.

Note: This kind of sentences is known as inversion.

EXERCISE

Use “Had” in the place of “if” in the following sentences.

1.      If they had studied hard, they would have passed the examination.

Had they had studied hard, they would have passed the examination.

2.      If she had invited us, we would have gone to her to her house.

Had she had invited us, we would have gone to her to her house.

3.      If he had visited me, I should have shown him my car.

Had he had visited me, I should have shown him my car.

4.      If you had asked me a question, I should have been happy.

Had you had asked me a question, I should have been happy.

5.      If he had taught us French, we should have spoken it.

Had he taught us French, we should have spoken it.

WISHES

i)        This is used to show that one hopes for / want.

eg. wish somebody good fortune, pleasant journey etc.

ii)      It is used as an expression of greeting.

eg. wish somebody a good morning (goodbye)

iii)    It can also be used to show an unfulfilled desire.

i.e. desires that cannot be fulfilled.

A. In this type III of construction the word “were” is normally used instead of “was” with the singular pronouns like; I, he, she.

Examples

1.      I wish I were you.

(But I’m not you)

2.      He wishes he were a God.

(But he is not a God)

3.      She wishes she were married.

(But she is not married at all)

4.      He wishes his daughter were a nurse.

(But she is not a nurse)

5.      She wishes she were rich.

(But she is not rich)

6.      I wish I were a farmer.

(But I’m not a farmer)

EXERCISE

Complete the following sentences with “were”

1.      I wish …………………………………..

2.      She wishes ………………………………

3.      He wishes ………………………………

4.      I wish ……………………………………

5.      They wish ………………………………...

6.      We wish …………………………………

B.     When we wish that something which is not yet happening would happen or stop we use the conditional form.

Examples

1.      I wish I would do it in time. (i.e. I won’t do in time)

2.      I wish you would listen to your teacher. (i.e. you won’t listen to him/her)

3.      I wish you know the way. (i.e. you don’t know the way)

4.      I wish they would not come. (i.e. they will come)

5.      We wish he would stop teaching. (i.e. I won’t visit her)

6.      She wishes I would visit her. (i.e. I won’t visit her)

7.      I wish the boy weren’t so lazy. (i.e. He is lazy)

EXERCISE

Complete the following sentences with the idea of wishing that something which is not yet happening would happen or stop. Use your own words to complete them.

1.      I wish I knew ………………………….

2.      He wishes he would …………………………

3.      I wish he would …………………………….

4.      I wish she knew …………………………….

5.      I wish you would …………………………….

C.    “Wish” when it is used with the past.

Examples

1.      He wishes he had learnt History. (i.e. He didn’t learn History)

2.      I wish I had read the book. (i.e. I don’t read it)

3.      We wish we hadn’t helped him. (i.e. we did)

4.      They wish they had escaped. (i.e. They didn’t)

5.      I wish I had bought a new one (i.e. I didn’t)

EXERCISE

Complete the following sentences with “wish” in the past. Use your own words to complete them.

1.      She wishes she had ……………………………

2.      I wish I had ………………………………….

3.      He wishes he had ……………………………..

4.      They wish they had ……………………………

5.      I wish I had …………………………….

THE USES OF

Used to, would, There used to be….. I am used to …….ing or something and How come.

i)                    Used to.

Is used to show habit in the past (action and fact)

Examples

a)      I used to eat ugali on Wednesdays.

But now I don’t eat ugali on Wednesdays.

b)      They used to come to our place.

But now they don’t come any more.

These two sentences tell us that the actions were always taking place in the habitual manner in the past but now they have stopped.

Consider the following sentences

a)      He used to fish when he was young.

b)      We used to frequent cinema halls.

c)      We used to visit the museum.

*Used to:-       as used in the three sentences shows habit in the past. But the actions performed in the above sentences are no longer taking place.

ii)                  Would

Is used to show habit in the past, however it is only used to show action.

Examples

a)      Agnes was courageous, she would try to do this or that incase she failed.

This means she tried very often in doing something in the past, but now she doesn’t make much effort.

b)      He would go for a walk when he was tired of studying.

But now he doesn’t go out when he is tired.

Action and fact

a)      He would tell his children stories every evening.

b)      He used to tell his children stories every evening.

Only action

a)      They used to like football.

b)      Mitumba used to enjoy swimming.

iii)                There used to be …………

Is used to show habitual in the past

Examples

There used to be bandits in this street.

This means: There were bandits in this street, but now they are no longer there.

iv)                I am used to ………….ing or something

This tells us that something is not new or strange for someone

Examples

a)      We are used to swimming in the lake.

b)      I am used to that smell.

c)      I am used to smoking.

d)     They are used to drinking some beer.

v)                  How come

i)                    How come means WHY.

ii)                  How come can be used with tenses

Examples

a)      Simple present tense.

b)      Simple past tense.

Note:

Some people normally fail to use “How com” correctly.

They usually say “How comes” which is wrong.

Here are the correct ways of using “How come”.

A.    Simple present Tense

Examples

1.      Why do you always teach Form Two classes?

-How come you always teach Form Two classes?

2.      He never speaks Kiswahili in class.

-How come today he does?

EXERCISE

Answer the following questions, using “how come” in the simple present tense.

1.      Why do you always go there?

-How come you always go there?

2.      Why do they always come to school late?

-how come they always come to school late?

3.      Why does she always laugh?

-How come she always laugh?

4.      Why do you always play darts?

-How come you always play darts?

5.      Why do you always read violent stories?

-How come you always read violent stories?

B.     Simple past tense

Examples

1.      Why did you buy a red pen?

-How come you bought a red pen?

2.      Why did you cut down this tree?

-How come you cut down this tree?

3.      Why did you tell lies?

-How come you told lies?

4.      Why did you sell your radio?

-How come you sold your radio?

5.      Why didn’t you tell the truth?

-How come you didn’t tell the truth?

EXERCISE

Answer the following questions, using “how come” in the simple past tense.

1.      Why did you leave early?

-How come you left early?

2.      Why did Asha go to town?

-How come Asha went to town?

3.      Why did he come here yesterday morning?

-How come he came here yesterday morning?

4.      Why did you put your books in the basket?

-How come you put your books in the basket?

5.      Why did you wash your shoes?

-How come you washed your shoes?