If-clauses are always lurking around the corner during conversations. Actions depend on one another, and the if-clause allows us to express conditional states. In this post, we'll focus on "Real Conditionals." In this case, the if-clause uses the present tense.
Here are some example sentences:
If I go to the library tomorrow, I'll return your books.
What does the above sentence mean? There's a chance I will go to the library. In the event I do, I will return your books for you. Note that although we're talking about possible events in the future, we cannot use the future tense in the if-clause. We never say, "If I will..." However, we can switch the order of the two clauses and the meaning will be the same:
I'll return your books if I go to the library tomorrow.
And now here's another example:
If you are walking to work today, you'd better wear a raincoat.
In this sentence, the if-clause is in the Present Progressive. The speaker could just as easily say, "If you walk to work today, ..." and the statement would have the same meaning. Here, the second clause is not in a future tense; rather, it's using the construction "had better + verb" to give someone advice or a strong suggestion. Again, you can switch the order of the two clauses:
You'd better wear a raincoat if you're walking to work today.
Another way to say this is:
You should wear a raincoat if you're walking to work today.
Now let's look at another real conditional sentence with an if-clause:
If you add milk to this tea, it tastes bitter.
Both clauses contain verbs in the present tense in the above sentence. The speaker is expressing certain conditions that exist. In this type of Real Conditional sentence, "if" is close in meaning to "when."
When you add milk to this tea, it tastes bitter.
Below is a quick quiz to check your skills at making Real Conditional sentences. Answers are at the end!
1. If Marcy __________ (study) harder, she __________ (get) better grades.
2. They __________ (accumulate) wealth over time if they __________ (invest) wisely.
3. If Jasper __________ (practice) regularly, he __________ (improve) at tennis.
4. This type of plant __________ (wilt) if you __________ __________ (not, water) it every other day.
5. If we __________ (travel) through Texas, we __________ definitely __________ (spend) a few days in Marfa.
-- ANSWERS -- ANSWERS -- ANSWERS -- ANSWERS -- ANSWERS --
1. studies, will get
2. will accumulate, invest
3. practices, will improve
4. wilts OR will wilt, don’t water
5. travel, should definitely spend OR will definitely spend
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