If Clauses
Objectives of today’s lesson:
In this lesson, Learn English with Julia presents to you “If Clauses”, in order to:
- see more If Clauses examples
- understand If Clause grammar
- get practise with If Clause exercises with answers
- download your if clause pdf
Video Script:
Hello and welcome to this video dedicated to conditional clauses or “IF clauses”.
I have four different scenarios, four different combinations possible, depending on the message that I am trying to convey.
#1 The first conditional that I have on my list is called the Conditional Zero.
It is used to express facts. It is called zero because I can replace IF by WHEN. So, here if I look at the tenses. I need a simple present and another simple present.
If babies are hungry, they cry.
So, it is a fact. It can also be more personal. We can say, for example,
If he eats peanuts, he feels unwell.
In both cases, I can change IF by WHEN and I use a PRESENT SIMPLE in my If Clause or Conditional Clause and a Simple Present in my Main Clause. Ok?
#2 We go now to the second item on the list. The first conditional or conditional one.
This particular scenario is likely, possible. Let’s see an example:
If I run twenty miles, I will be tired.
I’ll repeat that: Simple present, simple future.
If I run twenty miles, I will be tired.
You can see that there is a comma. I can only remove that comma if I start my sentence with the main clause, followed by the if clause. Nevertheless, if I start sentences with the If Clause, I need a comma before the main clause. Very important. Otherwise, it is considered a mistake.
#3 The Conditional 2.
This scenario is less likely. It is not completely impossible, but it is less possible. Let’s use the same example:
If I ran twenty miles, I would be tired.
If I ran – simple past
I would be – simple conditional
#4 Now the last scenario is conditional three or third conditional.
It’s generally unlikely. Sometimes unreal and also it is used to express regret in certain examples. Let’s use our example from before:
If I had run…
RUN, RAN, RUN (remember to review the irregular verbs).
If I had run twenty miles, I would have been tired.
Conditional perfect – would have been
Those are our different conditional clauses.
- A few hints for you in the classroom.
Do not forget about punctuation.
Go over your irregular verbs.
It’s very important.
Do not forget that you can replace IF by WHEN in Conditional Zero.
And get some practice!
Therefore, do please complete all activities!
And watch the other videos dedicated to conditional clauses.
Grammar Quiz:
Keywords listed in English:
- if clauses or conditional clauses
- conditional zero
- conditional one
- conditional zwo
- conditional three
- punctuation
- if / when
- irregular verbs
- conditional mood
- subordinate clause
- main clause
