Conditional Statements

Question 1

What is a conditional statement?

Answer 1

Conditional statements are one that are in the form of if-then construct, they present a condition using if and outcome of the condition in the then construct

Question 2

What are the different forms of constructions of conditional statements?

Answer 2

If X, then Y
If X, Y
Y, if X
Only X, Y

1, If it rains then I will carry an umbrella

2. If it rains, I will carry an umbrella
3. I will carry an umbrella if it rains
4. Only if it rains, I will carry an umbrella

Question 3

Construction 1: If (Simple Present Tense) Then(Simple Present/Simple future tense)

Answer 3

The construction of “then” part depends on the context of the sentence

1. If Messi plays, the opponents are under pressure
   Communicates certainty and the outcome very strongly
   Certainity in general
2. If Messi plays, the opponents will be under pressure
   Communicates a particular case, Certainity in particular case
3. If Messi plays, the opponents may be under pressure
   Communicates uncertainty

As mentioned the tense in “then” construction is totally meaning driven

a. If Messi plays in a decisive match, the opponents are under pressure by the mere presence of the football legend.

Rule/Fact - Messi is a football legend, hence when he plays in a match that is decisive, the opponent feel the heat

b. If Messi plays in the match against Real Madrid, the rival team will be under pressure as it has already lost two matches in the tournament

Particular case - Real Madrid has already lost 2 matches, this is very important match for them

c. If Messi plays against last year’s champion, Juventus, the opponents may be under pressure since its star footballer, Ronaldo is not playing

Uncertainity - Juventus was last year champion, so they should be confident

Question 4

What does each construction signify?

1. If simple present then simple present
2. If simple present then simple future (Will form)
3. If simple present then simple future (May form)

Answer 4

1. To communicate a habit, fact or rule
2. To communicate certainty about a particular event
3. To communicate uncertainty about a future event

Question 5

Construction 2:

a. If (Simple Past) Then(Would be) - To denote hypothetical idea
b. If (Simple Past) Then(simple past) - To denote past truth

Answer 5

Tense form of the action present in the then clause should be in the “would be” verb

If Messi played for Juventus instead of Barcelona, then Juventus would be the reigning champion

Question 6

Construction 3: If (Past perfect) then (Would have been)

Answer 6

Situation which never really happened in the past. The author is talking about the past and trying to think of an outcome, if something happened in a different way in the past

If Messi had scored in the match against Chelsea in Champions League 2012, Barcelona would have reached the finals