LoginCondition Clause
In this lesson we learn about condition clauses, which are essential groups of words that express conditions or hypothetical situations. Clear explanations and practice exercises to help you learn.
What Are Condition Clauses?
A condition clause (also known as if-clause) expresses a condition or hypothetical situation. These clauses are used to describe actions, events, or states that must happen or be fulfilled before something else can happen.
Condition Clause: Form
Each conditional sentence consists of two clauses, one clause expresses the condition that must be met (the condition clause) and the other, main clause, expresses the result in case the condition is met. The condition clause is marked by a condition marker while the main clause is unmarked.
If I study hard, I will pass the exam.
Here, "If I study hard" is the marked condition clause and "I will pass the exam" is the unmarked result clause.
Condition Clause: Types
The tense of the verb in the condition clause differs depending on the type of the condition expressed in the sentence. While zero conditionals express general truths, first conditionals talk about realistic possibilities, second conditionals refer to hypothetical situations in present or future, and third conditionals express hypothetical or unreal situations in the past. The tense of the verbs in the condition clause and the main clause for each of these types is as follows:
Zero conditional: [Present simple] + [Present simple]
When you press this button, the machine starts.
First Conditional: [Present simple] + [Future simple/Modals + Base verb]
If she studies hard, she might pass the test.
Second Conditional: [Past simple] + [Would + Base verb]
If I were rich, I would travel the world
Third Conditional: [Past perfect] + [Modal + Present perfect]
If I had known about the meeting, I would have attended.
Condition Markers
Condition clauses are typically introduced by a condition marker. This can be done using a word or inversion of a verb. However, there are some condition clauses that can express the condition without a marker.
Condition Words
Some words can appear at the beginning of a condition clause to mark it, common examples include:
If → all types
Unless → negative condition, type I
Provided that → type I
As long as → type I
In the event that → type I
In case → type I
Suppose / Supposing → type II
Here are some examples:
Unless you hurry, you'll miss the train.
Conditional type I with "Unless"
I'll call you in case I need directions.
Conditional type I with "In case"
Suppose you won the lottery, what would you do?
Conditional type II with "Suppose"
If they had studied harder, they would have passed the exam.
Conditional type III with "If"
Unless
As you can see in these examples, "unless" functions differently from the other condition markers. It is used to express a condition under which the main clause will not occur. In other words, it specifies a negative condition.
You won't succeed unless you work hard.
This sentence means "if you don't work hard, you won't success".
Inversion
Inversion happens when a verb comes before the subject. Specific auxiliaries and modals can be inverted to form a condition clause:
"Should" → type I
"Were" → type II
"Had" → type III
Should you need assistance, please call me.
Conditional type I using inversion with "should"
Were she here, she would help us.
Conditional type II using inversion with "were"
Had I known about the meeting, I would have attended.
Conditional type III using inversion with "had"
Zero Marker
A past participle clause can form a condition clause. In these cases, no condition marker is used in the sentence, so it is called a zero marker. Although the condition marker "if" can be used before these participle clauses, it can be removed without causing loss of meaning. This structure can be used in zero and first conditionals. Look at the examples:
Treated with respect, the child will develop confidence.
Condition: If the child is treated with respect → Result: The child will develop confidence.
(If) Washed regularly, the fabric stays soft.
Condition: If you wash the fabric regularly → Result: It stays soft.
Condition Markers vs. Subordinating Conjunctions
Subordinating conjunctions can be used in zero conditional sentences to form statements about general facts or habits. "If" and "unless" also act as subordinating conjunctions in zero conditionals. However, subordinating conjunctions such as "when", "whenever", and "while" cannot be used in the other types of conditional clauses. For example:
When you mix blue and yellow, you get green.
If you heat water to 100°C, it boils.
The result always happens whenever the action occurs.
Plants don't grow unless they get enough sunlight.
Condition Clause: Placement
Since the condition clause is marked, it can appear at the beginning, middle, or end of the sentence. However, the punctuation of the sentence differs for each position:
If the condition clause comes at the beginning of the sentence, a comma is used after it.
It the condition clause comes at the end of the sentence, no comma is needed.
If the condition clause comes in the middle of the sentence, two commas are used on either side of it.
Here are some examples:
If the bus doesn't come soon, I'll be late again.
the condition clause at the beginning
I will be able to afford the rent if I get a job in Tokyo
the condition clause at the end
Tell him, if he calls, that I'm busy.
the condition clause in the middle
Quiz:
Which of the following sentences uses inversion?
You cannot leave early, unless you finish the project.
Provided that you study every day, you will pass the exam.
I would have called you, had I known you were home.
If they don't practice enough, they won’t succeed.
Match each condition marker with the type of condition it expresses.
Sort the words to make a correct sentence.
Which of the following sentences correctly demonstrates the use of punctuation with a condition clause?
If the weather is nice we will go to the park.
We will go to the park, if the weather is nice.
We will go to the park if the weather is nice.
We will go, in the weather is nice to the park.
Fill in the blanks with the type of condition for each sentence.
You won’t pass the exam unless you study harder. →
Provided that you finish the assignment, you can leave early. →
Suppose you had more time, what would you do differently? →
Should you need help, I will be available. →
Were they here, they would attend the event. →
If I had saved more money, I would have gone on vacation. →
When you press the button, the light turns on. →
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