English Grammar: Conditionals - Essay Example

ENGLISH GRAMMAR CONDITIONALS by CONDITIONALS English grammar conditionals are sometimes described as ‘if’ clauses. The if clauses describe the outcome and result of something that is likely to happen in the future or in the present or might have occurred but did not happen in the past. These conditionals are constructed using varying verb tenses. In other words, English conditionals are used to talk about imaginary or possible situations that are likely to happen or those that were likely to happen but did not happen due to various circumstances (Grosz et al, 2012). For instance, if a particular condition is correct or true, then a certain outcome is bound to happen. There are four basic types of conditionals; zero conditional, first conditional, second conditional and third conditionals. Some extra conditionals result by mixing some of these four. In the English language, most sentences using the conditional clause contain the word ‘if’. Many conditional forms in English are contained in sentences that comprise verbs in any of the past tenses. This usage is known as unreal past. This is for the basic reason that we use past tense though we are not specifically referring to something that took place in the past. In most negative conditional sentences, there is an equivalent sentence construction that uses ‘unless’ instead of the ‘if’ (Coghill et all, 2003). Various types of conditional sentences, depending on whether they refer to past, present or future period require the usage of precise forms of verbs. These verbs are in the form of either tenses or moods and used to express the condition and the results. Zero conditionals Zero conditionals come into use when the time denoted is now or always and the situation in reference is both real and possible. The zero conditional refers to broad truths that are obvious and very likely to happen. The tense in the two parts of the sentence is simple present. The word if can be replaced by the word when without altering the meaning of the sentence in zero conditional uses. As it is the norm in all conditional sentences, the order in which the clauses appear in a sentence is not fixed. One may have to rearrange the pronouns and adjust the punctuation when the order of the clauses changes, though the meaning is still identical. An individual or person can replace the if clause with the when clause in zero conditional sentences simply because both the if and when clauses illustrate general truths. Thus, the meaning of the sentence will be unaltered. For example the meaning of the sentences below remain unchanged when the ‘if’ clause is replaced by the ‘when’ clause; if you overheat milk, it boils, milk boils when you overheat it, when you overheat milk, it boils, milk boils when you overheat it (Grewendorf et al, 2012). The zero conditional has various uses in a sentence, which include; giving instructions by making use of the imperative in the main clause of the sentence. For example; If Mary calls, inform her to meet me at the opera, Ask Mark if you are not sure what to do. In addition, the zero conditional is utilized in making statements referring to acceptable truths like scientific facts or to events in the real world. For instance it is scientifically proven that, if you heat air, it expands. The First Conditional The first conditional is another form of grammar conditionals. It is most useful when referring to the present future where the situation in reference is real. The first condition denotes a possible condition and its likely result (Kratzer, 2012). In these types of sentences, if -clause is stated in the simple present tense, and the main clause stated in the simple future. For example in a sentence; If you do not rush (if + simple present tense), you will miss the train (simple future). Type one conditional has various uses in sentences. The sentences being built on facts, they are used to construct statements about the actual world and about specific situations. We usually use such statement to provide warnings. For example, in sentences to indicate real situations in the future or present; if I have enough time, I will visit you. What will Cecilia do if she misses the train? In first conditional statements, one can also use the modals in the central clause rather than the future tense to state the extent of certainty or recommendation about the result of a particular situation (Bennett, 2003). For instance in sentences, if you drop that book, it might tear or if you buy my school requirements for me, I will be able to go to the museum. In addition, first conditional refers to nature, that is, in open condition, what is stated in the condition is conceivable. The second conditionals The second conditional refers to a time that is now or any time, in addition to an unreal situation or event. The statements using second conditional clause are not based on facts. The second conditional points to a hypothetical condition that is likely to happen or occur. In the second type conditional statements, if -clauses makes use of the simple past, while the main clause makes use of the present conditional (Coghill et al, 2003). For example in a sentence; if you went to school earlier (if clause), you would not be late for the continuous assessment test (main clause). As in all other conditional sentences, the order in which the clauses appear is not fixed. Given that the order of the clauses is not fixed, one may have to adjust the punctuation and rearrange the order of pronouns. The meaning of the sentence whose pronouns undergo rearrangement and punctuation adjusted, however, remains identical (McPherson, 2013). For example; ‘if it rained, you would get wet’ can be rearranged to ‘you would get wet if it rained’, if you went to school earlier, you would not be late for the exam. The second type conditional serves various functions in a sentence. The time is now and the situation is imaginary. For example, if the weather was tolerable, we would go for a walk in the museum (But the weather is bad so we cannot make it to the park as planned earlier). It is grammatically correct and very okay to say if I were instead of if I was. For instance, if I were shorter, I would buy this trouser, if I were 20 years of age; I would start hustling afresh and make millions before I hit age 30. In addition, in type two conditional statements, one can use the modals in the main clause rather than would in order to express the degree of certainty or commendation about the result (Wallwork, 2013). For example, we might buy a bigger house if we had more cash or he could go to the concert if you gave her the ticket. The nature implied by second conditional is unreal and impossible or improbable situations. The type two conditional has another usage in present conditional tense. The present conditional of any given verb comprises of two elements; would and the infinitive of the main verb not containing ‘to’. For example in a sentence; he would go, he would not go, they would go, would they go? These are situations where would appears in the condition clause, but these are considered as the modal usage of would, that indicates the willingness to do or carry out some responsibility (Wallwork, 2013). For instance, if she would listen to her mother occasionally, she might have learnt some important skills in life that would help her during her adult life. In addition, where in the event where the if clause follows the main clause, the usage of would in the if clause is normal. The third conditional The third conditional denotes a time in the past, and a situation that is opposing to reality. The fact is that they are based on the opposite of what they actually expressed. The third conditional has most uses while referring to an unreal and past condition and its likely past outcome. In third conditional sentences, the if clause makes use of the past perfect, while the main clause employs the use of the perfect conditional (Dancygier et al, 2005). For instance in a sentence; if she had studied harder (if clause), she would have passed the exam (main clause), if he had accepted that job (if clause), she would have been working in Milan with her brother. The entire norm with all other conditional sentences, the order in which the clauses appear is not fixed. One may have to reorder the pronouns and adjust the punctuation. The rearranging of the pronouns and punctuation adjustment, however, does not alter the meaning of the sentence (In Grewendorf et al, 2012). For example; if it had rained, you would have gotten cold, you would have gotten cold if it had rained. The sentences are truly theoretical and unreal, as it is now too late for the condition or its outcome to be in existence. There is always some repercussion of regret with the third conditional statements. The truth is the reverse of, or opposite of what the sentence implies. For instance, if I had started earlier, I would have arrived on time for the event. In the third conditional sentences, it is capable for one to make use of modals in the main clause rather than ‘would’ in order to express the degree of certainty or commendation regarding the result of the particular situation. For example, you could have been on time if you had caught the train, if she had worked harder she might have passed the continuous assessment test. The use of would and had in the third conditional sentences can be contracted to ‘d’, which can be unclear and confusing if one is not poised and confident with the third conditional sentences (In Grewendorf et al, 2005). The two very significant rules to remember and stick to are; would never appears in the if- clause and had should never appear before have. Mixed type conditionals The last type of grammar conditional is the mixed type of conditional. This conditional is used to point to a time in the past, and a circumstance that is happening or ongoing into the present. The fact is that they are based on the opposite of what is actually expressed. The mixed type conditional is used to point to an unreal past condition and its likely outcome in the present. In the mixed type conditional statements, the if clause makes use of the past perfect, and the main clause uses the present conditional ( In Grewendorf et al, 2005). The order of the clauses in mixed conditional is not fixed and the pronouns and the punctuation can be rearranged or reordered without changing the sentence’s meaning. References Bennett, J. (2003). A philosophical guide to conditionals. Oxford: Clarendon Press. Coghill, J., & Magedanz, S. (2003). English Grammar. New York, NY: John Wiley and Sons Ltd. Dancygier, B. (1998). Conditionals and prediction: Time, knowledge, and causation in conditional constructions. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Dancygier, B. (1998). Conditionals and prediction: Time, knowledge, and causation in conditional constructions. 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