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?