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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 simple present tense
and the result clause is usually shown by will + the base
form (simple form) of a verb. In conditional sentences
of this type, the result is possible, but it may
happen and.
it may not happen. Whether it happens
depends on whether
the condition shown by the
if clause is met.
Examples:
If she studies, she'll get good grades.
(Getting good grades is possible
for her,
but to get them, she needs to study.)
______________________________
If he's relaxed, he'll feel more confident.
(It's possible that he'll
feel more confident,
but to feel more confident,
he needs to relax.)
______________________________
If they have
extra money, they'll put it in their
savings
account.
(It's possible that they'll
put money in their
savings account, but doing
this depends on having
something extra.)
______________________________
If I see him,
I'll give him your message.
(It's possible 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
mean 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 as
a special meaning: willingness
or
volition. It does not refer to future time.
Examples:
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:
not logical:
*If they'll have extra money, they'll
put it
in their savings account.
not logical:
*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.
Examples:
If she studies, she may / might get good grades.
(Getting good grades is somewhat
possible for her,
but to get good grades, she
needs to study.)
______________________________
If he's relaxed, he may / might feel more confident.
(It's somewhat possible that
he'll feel more
confident, but to feel more confident,
he needs
to relax.)
______________________________
If they have extra money,
they may / might
put it in their savings account.
(It's somewhat possible that
they'll put money
in their savings account, but
doing this depends
on having something extra.)
______________________________
If I see him, I may / might
invite him to our party.
(It's somewhat possible that
I'll invite him to our
party, but I can't do that
if I don't see him.)
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