CONDITIONAL CLAUSES : Past Possibilities

Past Possibilities

1.

WRONG : If you were not late for the press conference, you would have heard the Director’s speech.

RIGHT : If you had not been late for the press conference, you would have heard the Director’s speech.

2.

WRONG : If the project was not delayed, we would have finished it by now.

RIGHT : If the project had not been delayed, we would have finished it by now.

When referring to something which could have happened but did not, we use past perfect in the if clause and would have + past participle in the main clause.

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CONDITIONAL CLAUSES : Improbable Situations and Imaginary Situations

a. Improbable Situations

1.

WRONG : If the meeting would be cancelled, they would ring.

RIGHT : If the meeting was cancelled, they would ring.

2.

WRONG :If I would do it , I would do it this way.

RIGHT :If I did it, I would do it this way.

When referring to something that is possible but unlikely to happen, we use past tense for the if clause, and would / could for the main clause.

b. Imaginary Situations

WRONG : If I am you, I will take the offer.

RIGHT : If I were you, I would take the offer.

RIGHT : If I was you, I would take the offer.(Less Formal)

When talking about imaginary situations, we use past tense in the if clause and would/could in the main clause

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CONDITIONAL CLAUSES : Probable Situations

Real Possibility

1.

Wrong : If you attend 80 % of the sessions, you would receive a certificate of attendance at the end of the course.

Right: If you attend 80 % of the sessions, you will receive a certificate of attendance at the end of the course.

2.

Wrong : If you send us your applications this week, we would let you know of the results in two weeks’ time.

Right: If you send us your applications this week, we will let you know of the results in two weeks’ time.

3.

Wrong :If you will attend the meeting tomorrow, you will meet representatives from the Research Centre.

Right: If you attend the meeting tomorrow, you will meet representatives from the Research Centre.

When referring to something that is likely to happen, we use present tense in the if clause and future tense in the main clause.

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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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ARTICLES: Use of Omission

Omission

Situations
1. after prepositions in some common expressions

Example

• to/in/into/ out of hospital/prison/bed
• by car/bicycle/bus/plane/train
• to/at/from work
• out of town

Situations
2. in some time phrases

Example

• in 1990 (year), in summer (season),
• since April (month),
• at Christmas (festival)
• on Monday (day of week), at night

Situations
3. before the names of continents and countries

Example
Have you been to China?


Situations
4. before names of cities, towns and villages

Example

• The police have monitored the number of drink-related accidents since the introduction of a ban on drinking and driving in Hong Kong.
• Pollution in Shatin is being closely monitored by EPD.
• The Police Headquarters is in Wanchai.

Situations
5. before the names of streets, districts, parks and bridges

Example

• The Lunar New Year Festival will be held in Victoria Park.
• The post office in Hennessy Road is a listed building.

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