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Showing posts from November, 2016

Conditionals

Conditionals A conditional sentence is a sentence containing the word if . There are three common types* of conditional sentence: if clause > present simple tense : main clause > future tense (will) If you help me, I will help you. If I win the lottery, I will buy a new car. If it snows tomorrow, we will go skiing. if clause > past simple tense : main clause > would If you knew her, you would agree with me. If I won the lottery, I would buy a new car. If it snowed tomorrow, we would go skiing. if clause > past perfect tense : main clause > would have If you had helped me, I would have helped you. If I had won the lottery, I would have bought a new car. If it had snowed yesterday, we would have gone skiing. Of course, it is possible to start conditional sentences with the main clause: I will buy a new car if I win the lottery. I would buy a new car if I won the lottery. I would have bought a new car if I had won the lottery. English s...

Conditional sentences, if-clauses type I, II, III

Conditional sentences, if-clauses type I, II, III Conditional sentences Conditional sentences are sometimes confusing for learners of English as a second language. Watch out: Which type of conditional sentences is it? Where is the if-clause (e.g. at the beginning or at the end of the conditional sentence)? There are three types of conditional sentences. type condition I condition possible to fulfill II condition in theory possible to fulfill III condition not possible to fulfill (too late) 1. Form type if-clause main clause I Simple Present will-future or (Modal + infinitive) II Simple Past would + infinitive * III Past Perfect would + have + past participle * 2. Examples (if-clause at the beginning) type if clause main clause I If I study , I will pass the exam. ...