GP1
Handout 7
CONDITIONAL CLAUSES
I. Interrelation of tense, time and type of condition
(A) dynamic verb in the if-clause
If-clause time reference PAST If-clause time reference If-clause time reference
PRESENT FUTURE
open/real If he talked to Mary, she probably If he is talking to Mary, he isn’t If he talks to Mary soon, she will
agreed. doing his work. surely agree.
hypothetical/unreal If he had talked to Mary, she would If he were talking to M. now, he If he talked to her soon, she would
have agreed. wouldn’t be smart. possibly agree to do it.
(B) static verb in the if-clause
If-clause time reference PAST If-clause time reference PRESENT If-clause time reference
FUTURE
open If he liked Metallica, he was If he likes jazz, I like him! If he ever gets to like opera, it’ll cost
insane. him a fortune...
hypothetical If he had liked rap as a child, it If he liked country music, he wouldn’t If he ever got to like musicals, he
would have ruined his intelligence. laugh each time he sees Dolly Parton. would need to go to Broadway to
see the real thing.
Comment:
real
Open conditions are presented as .......................................... situations. Linguistically this is expressed by the usual relation
past
of tense to time (past conditions are expressed through ........................... tense, present/future conditions through
present
........................ tense).
unreal , unlikely '
impossible
Hypothetical conditions are presented as .......................................... situations. Linguistically this is expressed by the ‘shift’
past perfect tense, present/future conditions through
in tense usage (past conditions are expressed through ...........................
past
........................ tense).
open conditions jesti would in the main clause
Exercise 1 hypothetical conditions gdyoy hypothetical condition
Decide which of the main clauses provided can combine sensibly with the if-clause. Motivate your choice.
1) If you stayed, [a] you would meet my cousin, who will be coming soon. hypothetical future
[b] you must have been enjoying the party. open past
[c] you would have seen something interesting.
2) If you asked him nicely, [a] he would let you have a day off. hypothetical future
[b] he would have let you have a day off.
[c] he’ll certainly let you have a day off. open past
3) If the boss is feeling relaxed, [a] it is a bad sign. open present
[b] the inspection will go all right. open present
[c] the inspection would go all right.
4) If it wasn’t for the endless bureaucracy, [a] I’d easily have got permission.
[b] I’d try again.
[c] I’ll try again.
Handout 7
CONDITIONAL CLAUSES
I. Interrelation of tense, time and type of condition
(A) dynamic verb in the if-clause
If-clause time reference PAST If-clause time reference If-clause time reference
PRESENT FUTURE
open/real If he talked to Mary, she probably If he is talking to Mary, he isn’t If he talks to Mary soon, she will
agreed. doing his work. surely agree.
hypothetical/unreal If he had talked to Mary, she would If he were talking to M. now, he If he talked to her soon, she would
have agreed. wouldn’t be smart. possibly agree to do it.
(B) static verb in the if-clause
If-clause time reference PAST If-clause time reference PRESENT If-clause time reference
FUTURE
open If he liked Metallica, he was If he likes jazz, I like him! If he ever gets to like opera, it’ll cost
insane. him a fortune...
hypothetical If he had liked rap as a child, it If he liked country music, he wouldn’t If he ever got to like musicals, he
would have ruined his intelligence. laugh each time he sees Dolly Parton. would need to go to Broadway to
see the real thing.
Comment:
real
Open conditions are presented as .......................................... situations. Linguistically this is expressed by the usual relation
past
of tense to time (past conditions are expressed through ........................... tense, present/future conditions through
present
........................ tense).
unreal , unlikely '
impossible
Hypothetical conditions are presented as .......................................... situations. Linguistically this is expressed by the ‘shift’
past perfect tense, present/future conditions through
in tense usage (past conditions are expressed through ...........................
past
........................ tense).
open conditions jesti would in the main clause
Exercise 1 hypothetical conditions gdyoy hypothetical condition
Decide which of the main clauses provided can combine sensibly with the if-clause. Motivate your choice.
1) If you stayed, [a] you would meet my cousin, who will be coming soon. hypothetical future
[b] you must have been enjoying the party. open past
[c] you would have seen something interesting.
2) If you asked him nicely, [a] he would let you have a day off. hypothetical future
[b] he would have let you have a day off.
[c] he’ll certainly let you have a day off. open past
3) If the boss is feeling relaxed, [a] it is a bad sign. open present
[b] the inspection will go all right. open present
[c] the inspection would go all right.
4) If it wasn’t for the endless bureaucracy, [a] I’d easily have got permission.
[b] I’d try again.
[c] I’ll try again.
