The English Verb System – Contrastive Approach 1 December 7, 2018 Lesson 8 CONDITIONALS A conditional sentence is a complex structure comprising the subordinate if-clause (protasis) and the main clause (apodosis) (Palmer 1989: 149). The typical subordinator in English is if, but there are other subordinators (e.g. unless, so long as, supposing, in case, provided that), as well as structures with inversion in the subordinate clause and without a subordinator. e.g. a) If I knew they were honest, I’d gladly lend them the money. b) Unless it rains, I’ll pick you up at 6.00. c) Supposing I had done it, what would you have said then? d) In case he does come round, call me immediately. e) You can go trekking provided you have passed the exam. f) He may go as long as she goes with him. g) Had she deserved it, I would have intervened. h) Might/Could I but see my native land, I would die a happy man. i) Should it come to this, the judge will be alarmed. There are various classifications of conditionals in English, but they are most often divided into REAL and UNREAL. REAL conditionals merely state that there is a causal link, or a relation of dependency between the two clauses, usually with some possibility for their realization. e.g. a) The video pauses if you press this button. b) Take another sandwich if you’re hungry. c) If you finish on time, we’ll go out. d) If she really did that, she was rude. e) If Sheldon left his office five minutes ago, he’ll be able to catch the 5 o’clock train. f) I’ll lend you War and Peace if I’ve finished it before you go on holiday. g) If you must do it, do it. h) If Leonard will come, Penny will come. i) ?If Leonard had done it, Penny had broken up with him. UNREAL conditionals imply the speaker’s / writer’s doubt that something would be realized in the future, or imply that something was not realized in the past. e.g. a) If I spoke Chinese, I’d do the translation myself. b) If I had known there was no more work to do, I would have stayed in bed. c) If the ambulance had come sooner, he might have been saved. d) If I had worked harder at university, I would have a degree now.
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