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If-clauses (conditional clauses) consist of two parts:
a. the if-subordinate clause
b. the main clause
The if-clause expresses a condition and the main clause tells us what will then happen / would happen / would have happened. According to the character of the condition, you can distinguish between three basic types of conditional clauses:
| If - Clause (Bedingung) |
Main Clause (Folge) |
1. Reale Bedingung, dh. erfüllbare Bedingung: man erwartet, hält es für wahrscheinlich, dass sich Bedingung erfüllt.
Form: Simple Present |
Erwartete Folge aus der Erfüllung der Bedingung in der Gegenwart oder Zukunft.
Form: will-future, Hilfsverb oder Imperativ |
Examples:
If it rains, we will not go for a walk.
If you are sick, you should not do any sports.
If you go to London, don't forget to visit Madame Tussaud's. |
2. Irreale Bedingung, weil a) es unwahrscheinlich ist / man es nicht erwartet, dass Bedingung erfüllt wird; b) sie im Gegensatz zur Realität steht.
Form: Simple Past |
Nur theoretisch gedachte Folge in der Gegenwart oder Zukunft
Conditional I (would + infinitive) |
Examples:
If I had enough money, I would go on a cruise around the world.
If I were you, I would buy a new car.
If he spent more time on English, he would speak it more fluently. |
3. Vergangene Bedingung, nicht mehr erfüllbar, da sie auf die Vergangenheit bezogen ist. Sie steht zum tatsächlichen vergangenen Geschehen
Form: Past Perfect |
Nur theoretisch gedachte Folge in der Gegenwart oder Zukunft
Conditional II (=Cond. Perfect) (would + infinitive perfect) |
Examples:
If you had asked him, he would have given you the right answer.
If I had learnt better how to drive, he would have not had that accident.
If If you had gone to the doctor earlier, he would have been able to help you. |
Im if-Satz steht in der Regel kein 'would'.
Now it's your turn. Use the correct forms.
1. If you (to give) ______________________________ me a cork screwer, I (to open) ______________________________ the bottle.
2. If I (to be) __________________________ a millionaire, I (to buy) ___________________________ a big car.
3. If attack dogs (to be) __________________________ not so dangerous, you could keep them as pets.
4. If I had known you were not on holiday, I (to send) ______________________________________ you an email.
5. If you (to practise) ________________________________ these exercises, you (to pass) ______________________________ the exam.
6. Winston, if you (to be) _________________ my husband, I (to poison) _________________________ your tea. - Lady, if you (to be ) ________________ my wife, I (to drink) _________________ it.
7. If Armstrong (not to step) ____________________________ on the moon, he (not to be) ______________________ so famous.
8. I (to help) _________________________________ you, if you (to tell) __________________________ me of your problems earlier.
9. If VanGogh (to be) ______________________ alive today, he (to be) _________________ astonished at the prices for his paintings.
10. If our plane (to be) ____________________ on time, we would have arrived in California before noon.
11. If you (to ask) ________________________ him politely, this policeman (to tell) __________________ you the way to the stadium.
12. If you (to come) ________________________ to London, go and have a ride on the London Eye!
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