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There are two types of real
conditional sentences.
We saw that in the first,
the
result is known: it happens every
time the condition is met. In conditional sentences of
this type, when,
whenever,
or every time
may be substituted
for if
with no change in meaning.
The second type of real conditional
sentence is used for situations that are
possible. In this type of real conditional sentence,
the if clause is
usually present
tense and the result clause is usually shown by will + a
simple verb. The result is possible, but it hasn't happened: it
depends on meeting the condition (shown by the
if
clause):
If she
studies, she'll get good grades.
(Getting good grades is very
likely for her, but first she needs to
study.)
If he's relaxed, he'll feel more confident.
(It's very likely that he'll
feel more confident, but first he needs to
relax.)
If they have extra money,
they'll put it in their savings
account.
(It's very likely that they'll
put money
in their savings account, but it depends
on having something extra.)
If I
see him, I'll give him your message.
(It's very likely that I'll
give him your message, but I can't do that if
I don't see him.)
Special Notes:
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In this type of conditional sentence, if does not = when / whenever /
every time. |
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| 2. |
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It's possible, in this type
of
conditional, to use will
in
both parts of the sentence. If will is used in the if clause,
it shows willingness (volition), not future
time:
If she'll study, she'll get good grades.
(If she'll study = If
she's willing to study.)
If he'll relax, he'll feel more confident.
(If he'll relax = If
he's willing to relax.)
If you'll help me, I'll be grateful.
(If you'll help me = If
you're willing to help me.)
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| 3. |
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Will can be used in if clauses only when it shows
willingness:
illogical:
*If they'll have extra money,
they'll put it in their savings
account.
illogical:
*If I'll see him, I'll give him your message.
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| 4. |
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It's also possible to use
may
or
might
in this type of conditional sentence:
If she studies, she may / might get good
grades.
(Getting good grades is possible though not very likely for her, but first
she needs to study.)
If he's relaxed, he
may / might feel more
confident.
(It's possible though not
too likely that he'll feel more confident, but first he needs to relax.)
If they have extra money,
they may / might
put it in their savings account.
(It's possible though not
too likely that they'll put money in their savings account, but it depends on having
something extra.)
If I see him,
I'll give him your message.
(It's possible though not
very likely that I'll give him your message, but I can't do that if I don't see him.)
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