Present & Future Real Conditions
A bee covered with pollen – A person spraying pesticide
Cause-effect facts & predictions
Present Conditional Statements – Cause-Effect Facts
| CONDITION | RESULT |
|---|---|
The If-clause states a fact or observation and uses a present tense verb form. |
The result clause states a fact and optionally uses then; the verb form is present tense. |
If people use pesticides in their gardens, . . . |
they harm bees. harm - hurt (cause-effect fact) |
If a bee collects pollen from a flower with pesticide, . . . |
the bee also collects pesticide with the pollen. (cause-effect fact) |
pesticide - a poison that kills insects
Stating fact or observation
A bee pollinating a flower
Future Conditional Statements – Predictions
| CONDITION | RESULT |
|---|---|
if precedes a statement of fact or observation. In both present and future conditional sentences, a present tense verb form is used. |
The result clause states a prediction and optionally uses then; the verb form is a modal (will, can, may, might, shall). |
If there are no bees, (future) |
(then) flowers will not be pollinated. (cause-effect prediction) |
If we can find out why bees are dying, (future) |
(then) we can save the bees. (cause-effect prediction) |
If we don't find a solution, (future) |
(then) bees will disappear. (cause-effect prediction) |
Commas
| INITIAL-POSITION | MID-POSITION |
|---|---|
In emphasis word order, the if clause is brought to the beginning of the sentence and a comma is used to mark the change from standard word order. |
In standard word order, if is "sandwiched" between two clauses and no comma is used. |
If you want bees to survive, [comma] use less toxic pesticides. (emphasis word order) |
Use less toxic pesticides if if you want bees to survive. (standard word order) |
If you don't believe me, [comma] ask any beekeeper. (emphasis word order) |
Ask any beekeeper if if you don't believe me. (standard word order) |
survive (v.) – to continue to live after an accident, war, or illness
toxic (adj.) – poisonous, or harmful
pesticide (n.) – a chemical substance used to kill insects and small animals that destroy crops
beekeeper (n.) – a person who takes care of bee hives (boxes where bees live)
Other Future Conditional Verb Forms
Intent vs. Request
Be going to – Intent
| FULL CLAUSE | SHORTENED CLAUSE |
|---|---|
Be going to can be used in the if-clause to express future intent, the second clause states the condition for completion of the intent. (The speaker is seeking cooperation.) |
If . . . am to + verb is a clause shortened to just the auxiliary before an infinitive verb. The if-clause expresses intent and the second clause states the condition for completion of the intent. |
If I am going to help, you need to give me your full attention. |
If I am to help, you need to give me your full attention. |
If bees are going to be saved, we must stop using toxic chemicals. (passive voice) |
If bees are to be saved, we must stop using toxic chemicals. |
If you are going to arrive there on time, you had better leave now. |
If you are to arrive there on time, you had better leave now. |
If he is going to be home by 9:00 (intent), he ought to start walking by 8:30. (requirement) |
If he is to be home by 9:00, I will drop by / he ought to start walking at 8:30. (requirement) |
Will – Request / An Indirect Request
| REQUEST | WISH |
|---|---|
Will is used in the if-clause to politely request or suggest. Use with you – singular or plural. |
Will can be used in the if-clause to express an indirect request, a whimpertive. It is a situation that is slightly more likely to happen (optimitstic) than when using If only (a regretful wish). |
If you will step this way please. (I will show you to your table.) |
If he will just try a little harder, he will succeed. (wish) / If only he would try harder... (regret) |
If you will kindly wait a moment please. |
If she will only listen a moment, I could explain myself. / If only she would listen ... (regret) |
If you will give me a moment, I'll be right with you. |
|
If he will walk this way, please. (1st or 3rd person are not used) |
a whimpertive (n.) a command or request phrased as a polite or indirect question. |
Common Mistakes
| ERROR | FIX |
|---|---|
If you will need something, just ask. Will is used in an if-clauseas a request. (See expressions.) |
If you need something, just ask. (future chance of need) |
I'll come pick you up if you will be done early. Will is used in an if-clauseas a request. |
I'll come pick you up if you are done early. (future chance of being done) |
Future
Expressions
Should / Happen
| IF ... SHOULD | IF ... HAPPEN TO |
|---|---|
Should is used is the if-clause to express that something is unlikely to happen. |
Happen is commonly used in the if-clause before an infinitive phrase. The expression means "if by chance", or that the situation is unlikely to happen. |
If you should see my phone, please let me know. |
If you happen to see my phone, please let me know. |
If she should come by, call me. |
If she happens to come by, call me. (unlikely) |
If you should happen to arrive early, wait for me. |
|
Also see: Omitting If
Shortened Clauses
| FULL CLAUSE | SHORTENED IF CLAUSE |
|---|---|
These are common expressions after if that include a be verb. |
With these expressions the subject + be are omitted. (If necessary, If anything, if ever, if in doubt) |
If [it is] necessary, scientists will work overtime |
If necessary, scientists will work overtime. |
I doubt if [there is] any good that will come of this. |
I doubt if any good will come of this. |
It is rare if [bees are] ever out at night |
Rarely, if ever, are bees out at night. |
I'm not upset. If [there is] anything , I am relieved. |
I'm not upset. If anything, I am relieved. |
If [you are] in doubt, ask for help. |
If in doubt, ask for help. |
Practice 1
Tense Agreement
A World Without Bees
When Professor Gordon Frankie wants to impress schoolchildren with the importance of bees, he lays out an array of foods such as berries, grapes, pears and chocolate alongside a couple of dried-out tortillas and rice cakes and asks them which foods they prefer.
"The kids go for the fruits and chocolate," he said.
"Then I tell them: In a world without bees, the only choice they'd have would be the dried-out tortillas or rice cakes, since wheat and rice are self-pollinated. Even chocolate, from the cacao plant, depends on the pollination of bees. That gets their attention."
The exact cause of Colony Collapse Disorder is not known.
- Select your response from each menu and then check your answer.
- If your response is incorrect, use the study link to guide you to the specific information you need.
Practice 2
Expressions