If You Learn Conditionals, You'll Be Glad You Did!
2024-08-30
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1In this week's episode of Everyday Grammar, we are going to talk about conditionals.
2We use conditionals to show that something is true only when something else is true.
3Conditionals offer endless possibilities for creative and imaginative expression.
4The present real conditional is the most basic kind of conditional.
5Basically, when A happens, B happens.
6Here's an example of a present real conditional:
7"If it rains, I bring an umbrella."
8Conditionals have two parts: the if clause: "if it rains," and the result clause: "I bring an umbrella."
9You could also say "I bring an umbrella if it rains."
10Poets and songwriters often use conditionals in their work.
11Listen for the present real conditional in this song by American songwriter Bob Dylan.
12"If you see her, say hello. She might be in Tangier ..."
13Notice that the verbs see and say are both in the present tense for the present real conditional.
14The next conditional that we're going to talk about is the present unreal conditional.
15Use the present unreal conditional to talk about what you would do in an unreal, or imaginary situation: If A happened, B would happen.
16For example, "If I were you, I would take the job."
17The key word is would; it makes the conditional unreal.
18Would can only be used in the result clause of the sentence.
19Here's an example from American singer Johnny Cash.
20"If I were a carpenter
21And you were a lady
22Would you marry me anyway?
23Would you have my baby?"
24To form a present unreal conditional, use a simple past verb in the if clause.
25In the result clause, use would followed by a simple present verb.
26Use the verb were for all nouns in the if clause of the sentence.
27For example, "If she were an animal, she would be a cat."
28In informal speech, people might say, "If she was an animal, she would be a cat."
29But you should avoid this in formal writing.
30Now let's talk about the future real conditional: If A happens, B will happen.
31To make a future real conditional, use will in the result clause.
32For example, "If your plane is late, I will wait in the car."
33Use the future real conditional to talk about possible situations in the future.
34Speakers sometimes use the future real conditional to threaten others.
35Listen to actor Liam Neeson in the 2013 movie "Taken."
36In this scene of the movie, Neeson's character is on the phone threatening the man who kidnapped his daughter.
37"If you let my daughter go now, that'll be the end of it. I will not look for you. I will not pursue you. But if you don't, I will look for you, I will find you, and I will kill you."
38This is only a quick introduction to conditionals.
39In a future episode of Everyday Grammar, we will talk about past and mixed conditionals.
40Until then, we will leave you with country music stars Johnny Cash and June Carter.
41"If you were a carpenter
42And I were a lady
43I'd marry you anyway
44I'd have your baby"
45(Watch Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash sing "If I were a Carpenter.")
46I'm Jonathan Evans.
1In this week's episode of Everyday Grammar, we are going to talk about conditionals. We use conditionals to show that something is true only when something else is true. Conditionals offer endless possibilities for creative and imaginative expression. 2Present real conditional 3The present real conditional is the most basic kind of conditional. Basically, when A happens, B happens. 4Here's an example of a present real conditional: 5"If it rains, I bring an umbrella." 6Conditionals have two parts: the if clause: "if it rains," and the result clause: "I bring an umbrella." You could also say "I bring an umbrella if it rains." 7Poets and songwriters often use conditionals in their work. Listen for the present real conditional in this song by American songwriter Bob Dylan. 8"If you see her, say hello. She might be in Tangier ..." 9Notice that the verbs see and say are both in the present tense for the present real conditional. 10Present unreal conditional 11The next conditional that we're going to talk about is the present unreal conditional. Use the present unreal conditional to talk about what you would do in an unreal, or imaginary situation: If A happened, B would happen. 12For example, "If I were you, I would take the job." The key word is would; it makes the conditional unreal. Would can only be used in the result clause of the sentence. Here's an example from American singer Johnny Cash. 13"If I were a carpenter 14And you were a lady 15Would you marry me anyway? 16Would you have my baby?" 17To form a present unreal conditional, use a simple past verb in the if clause. In the result clause, use would followed by a simple present verb. 18Use the verb were for all nouns in the if clause of the sentence. For example, "If she were an animal, she would be a cat." In informal speech, people might say, "If she was an animal, she would be a cat." But you should avoid this in formal writing. 19Future real conditional 20Now let's talk about the future real conditional: If A happens, B will happen. 21To make a future real conditional, use will in the result clause. For example, "If your plane is late, I will wait in the car." Use the future real conditional to talk about possible situations in the future. 22Speakers sometimes use the future real conditional to threaten others. Listen to actor Liam Neeson in the 2013 movie "Taken." In this scene of the movie, Neeson's character is on the phone threatening the man who kidnapped his daughter. 23"If you let my daughter go now, that'll be the end of it. I will not look for you. I will not pursue you. But if you don't, I will look for you, I will find you, and I will kill you." 24This is only a quick introduction to conditionals. In a future episode of Everyday Grammar, we will talk about past and mixed conditionals. Until then, we will leave you with country music stars Johnny Cash and June Carter. 25"If you were a carpenter 26And I were a lady 27I'd marry you anyway 28I'd have your baby" 29(Watch Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash sing "If I were a Carpenter.") 30I'm Jonathan Evans. 31Adam Brock wrote this lesson for VOA Learning English. Jill Robbins and Ashley Thompson were the editors. 32______________________________________________ 33REFERENCE - Three common conditionals (incomplete list) 34If you see her, 35Simple present 36say hello. 37Simple present 38If I were you, 39Simple past 40I would leave. 41Would + simple present 42If your plane is late, 43Simple present 44I will wait for you. 45Simple future 46______________________________________________ 47conditional - n. a word, clause, or sentence that shows that something is true or happens only if something else is true or happens 48imaginative - adj. having or showing an ability to think of new and interesting ideas : having or showing imagination 49basic - adj. forming or relating to the first or easiest part of something 50clause - n. grammar : a part of a sentence that has its own subject and verb 51tense - n. a form of a verb that is used to show when an action happened 52unreal - adj. not real; not true