לומדים אנגלית / קוראים ספרי ילדים

We are now starting the Conditional Sentences.

Today, we will deal with Condition 1.

     If you work hard, you will succeed.

The condition is in Present Simple and the result is in Future Simple.

Condition 1 expresses a real condition and it refers to the Future.

It is important to remind Hebrew speakers that although we use a Furture tense for the Condition in Hebrew, we use the Present Simple in English.

     If you study for the exam, you will get a high grade.

but

  .אם תלמד למבחן, תקבל ציון גבוה

Remarks:

1. The Result may come before the Condition and the meaning won't change.

     If you work hard, you will succeed

or

     You will succeed if you work hard.

2. We may use the Imperative instead of the Future Simple if we refer to an order or a request.

     If you need me, call me!

or

     If they come, please wake me up!

3. We may also use the Present Simple instead of the Future Simple when we refer to a general truth, facts, things that are usually true.

     I like to walk if it does not rain.

4. If the sentence starts with the word Suppose, it will still be a conditional sentence, but the Result will come in the Interrogative Form.

     Suppose they offer you a job, will you take it?

5. We may use unless instead of if not.

     We won't go out if the rain doesn't stop.

or

     We won't go out unless the rain stops.

And that's all for today.

We will deal with Condition 2 in my next post.

For further explanations, please see:

דקדוק אנגלי לדוברי עברית, עמ' 98-99

For practice, please see:

The New Language Guidebook and Workbook, p 88-92.