CONDITIONAL CLAUSES - 1

CONDITIONAL CLAUSES

There are basically three types of conditional clauses:

TYPE 1

Probable Situations

If clause + Main clause

simple present will / shall

eg. If we purchase a new computer, we will be able to process 500 more applications per month.

TYPE 2

Improbable or Imaginary Situations

If clause + Main clause

simple past would/ should / could

eg. I think the committee would approve our proposal if we could shorten the time for the phase 1 redevelopment plan.

TYPE 3

Past Possibilities

If clause + Main clause

past perfect would/should/could + have +

past participle

eg. We would have completed the project by now if there had

not been a delay.

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Defining relative clauses

Defining relative clauses

These clauses add an extra piece of information which helps to define the noun more clearly. Notice there are no commas to show the close link between the clause and its subject.

He introduced me to his sister who is retired and lives in America.
(He has more than one sister. This one is retired and lives in America.)

The person who deals with your account is on holiday this week.
(Several people work in the Accounts Department. One of them is on holiday at the moment. She deals with your account.)

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Relative clauses

Clauses

Relative clauses

The main problem in this section is the difference between defining and non-defining relative clauses. This is not an area to spend too much time on. They mostly present a punctuation problem in written English. It is worth mentioning that many native speakers find them problematical.

Non-defining relative clauses

Most relative clauses are of this kind - where the clause merely adds an extra piece of information:

He introduced me to his sister, who is retired and lives in America.
(The sister just happens to be retired and living in America.)

My boss, who's Irish, is on holiday this week.
(My boss just happens to be Irish.)

In both these examples, we use commas to show that it is an extra piece of information.
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