IF CLAUSES Sunt propozitii subordonate introduse prin : if , unless (= if not ) , on condition (that) , in case (that) , provided (that) , providing

(that) , supposing (that) , suppose (that) . [ unless este conjunctie negativa , deci verbul va fi la afirmativ ] In astfel de propozitii nu putem folosi viitorul sau conditionalul .

I.

Daca in propozitia principala avem viitor, prezent sau imperativ , dupa IF vom avea prezent .

Se refera la VIITOR , la o actiune care are aproape toate sansele sa se realizeze. Conditia exprimata este reala si posibila (90% sanse de realizare).

Exemple : The pain will go if you take some medicine . Where will you put your books if she takes your bookcase ? The sun shines if there are no clouds in the sky . People eat if they feel hungry . Dont touch the wire if you dont have rubber soles (talpi) . If you think the mushrooms are poisonous , dont eat them .

II.

Daca in propozitia principala avem conditional prezent ( would + Vb.I) dupa IF vom avea past tense . (Pentru verbul TO BE este forma WERE la toate persoanele ) .

Se refera la PREZENT , la o actiune care s ar putea realiza dar este foarte putin probabil. Conditia exprimata este probabila si imaginara (~ 49% sanse). Exemple : We wouldnt postpone the exam unless we could . Providing Jack were here he would know what to do . If I were you , I wouldnt turn him down ( a refuza) . Where would she go for help in case she really needed it ?

OBS. Exista posibilitatea de a-l omite pe IF, in acest caz are loc inversiunea dintre auxiliar si subiect. Pentru regula a II-a , auxiliarul este should pentru verbele obisnuite si were pentru verbul to be . Exemple : Should I find some money I would pay the rent . Were they eating , you would have to wait . Should it start raining , how would you go on playing ?

III.

Daca in propozitia principala avem conditional perfect ( would have + Vb. III )

dupa IF vom avea past perfect . Se refera la TRECUT, la o actiune care nu s-a realizat conform asteptarilor dar nu se poate modifica. Conditia exprimata este nereala si imposibila ( 0% sanse ).

Exemple : How would you have reacted if you had been invited to the principal`s office? If they had lost the match they would have been punished . Suppose he had spoken in French , nobody would have undestood him . If she had been sleeping she couldnt have heard the phone . Atentie ! : frazele conditionale de tipul III se pot traduce prin IMPERFECT. Exemple : Cum reactionai daca erai invitat . ? Daca pierdeau meciul . Daca vorbea .. nimeni nu-l intelegea .

OBS . Il putem omite pe IF, facand in acest caz inversiunea dintre auxiliarul (had) si subiect. Exemple : Had they been late , everybody would have had a shock . What would you have done , hadnt she told you the truth ?

EXCEPTII A. Dupa IF putem folosi viitor sau conditional , daca se face referire la sansa .

Traducere : daca cumva , daca se va intampla sa , daca s-ar intampla sa , daca sar fi intamplat sa , daca se intampla sa , daca din intamplare . Exemple : If she will come to the party Ill give her the message . If it will rain well have to cancel the picnic . 3

If they will be thirsty they will drink no matter what .

B.

Pot exista fraze conditionale mixte , in care propozitia principala este la conditional prezent (regula II se refera la prezent) iar subordonata este la past perfect (regula III, se refera la trecut). Adica, o actiune se poate realiza sau nu in prezent, pentru ca o actiune s-a realizat sau nu in trecut.

Exemple : You would have a better job if you had learned English . He wouldnt spend his young years in prison if he hadnt killed that little girl . She wouldnt pay so much now if she had driven more carefully .
Conditional sentences

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

Examples (if-clause at the beginning)

type I II if clause If I study, If I studied, main clause I will pass the exam. I would pass the exam.

III

If I had studied,

I would have passed the exam.

Examples (if-clause at the end)

type I II III main clause I will pass the exam I would pass the exam I would have passed the exam if-clause if I study. if I studied. if I had studied.

Examples (affirmative and negative sentences) type Examples long forms + If I study, I will pass the exam. I If I study, I will not fail the exam. If I do not study, I will fail the exam. short/contracted forms If I study, I'll pass the exam. If I study, I won't fail the exam. If I don't study, I'll fail the exam. If I studied, I'd pass the exam.

+ If I studied, I would pass the exam. II + III

If I studied, I would not fail the exam. If I studied, I wouldn't fail the exam. If I did not study, I would fail the exam. If I didn't study, I'd fail the exam. If I had studied, I would have passed the If I'd studied, I'd have passed the exam. exam. If I'd studied, I wouldn't have failed the exam. If I hadn't studied, I'd have failed the exam.

If I had studied, I would not have failedthe exam. If I had not studied, I would have failedthe exam.

* We can substitute could or might for would (should, may or must are sometimes possible, too). I would pass the exam. I could pass the exam. I might pass the exam. I may pass the exam. I should pass the exam. I must pass the exam.

Tip 1
Use
It is possible to fulfil a condition which is given in the if-clause.

Form
if clause main clause will-future or infinitive or Modal + infinitive

Simple Present

Examples
If I study, If you see John tonight, If Ben gets up early, I will pass the exams. tell him to e-mail me. he can catch the bus.

The if-clause can be at the beginning or at the end of the sentence. If I study, I will pass the exams I will pass the exams. if I study.

Tip 2

Use
It is theoretically possible to fulfil a condition which is given in the if-clause.

Form
if clause main clause would + infinitive or could + infinitive or might + infinitive

Simple Past

Examples
If I studied, If I studied, If I studied, I would pass the exams. I could pass the exams. I might pass the exams.

The if-clause can be at the beginning or at the end of the sentence. If I studied, I would pass the exams.

I would pass the exams

if I studied.

Tip 3

It is impossible to fulfil a condition which is given in the if-clause. Form if clause main clause would + have + past participle or could + have + past participle or might + have + past participle Examples I would have passed the exams. I could have passed the exams. I might have passed the exams.

Past Perfect

If I had studied, If I had studied, If I had studied,

The if-clause can be at the beginning or at the end of the sentence. If I had studied, I would have passed the exams I would have passed the exams. if I had studied.