Vi. Conjunctions introducung clauses

“If”- in sentences of real condition it is closely connected to “when” (ever), as in:

It I make a promise, I keep it.

If you haven’t done the homework, you won’t be able to follow this lesson.

(In this sentence as in some other cases “if” corresponds closely to “as”, “since” or “because”) “If” can also introduce a concessive clause:

If you know how to answer the question, nobody else knows.

Although you know…

Other conjunctions are:

“unless”- = “if … not” or “except on condition that”:

You won’t catch the train if you do not hurry.

Unless you hurry.

Your parcel will be dispatched this evening unless you (would) prefer to take it with you.

“unless” is especially useful for introducing clauses that contain other negative elements, and “if… not” is impossible:

Don’t ask me to explain unless you really don’t understand.

“on condition that”=”provided / providing (that) “=”so / as long as”:

I’ll let you drive on condition that you have a valid licence

Provided that

Providing that

As long as

So long as

“on condition (that)” normally requires a human agent, with the other conjunctions the agent can be animate or inanimate.

“suppose / supposing ” are used when making a supposition about the future or the past:

Suppose / supposing that I had an accident, who would pay?

Were to have would have paid

Had had

“in case ”- if it should happen that, because of a possibility:

Make a note of my tel. number, in case you want to ring me up.

Exercise 1 Complete the sentences.

1.If only… you wouldn’t be now in such a difficult position.

2.Tell him I’m out, in case…

3.I can’t understand why…, unless he thinks we are all fools.

4.So long as… swimming in this river is fairly safe.

5.How… unless you know their address?

6.Supposing we left immediately, when…?

7.The electors can’t possibly form an opinion unless…

8.I’ll try to talk him into it on condition that…

Adverbial clauses of condition containing the verbs “had”, “were”, “could”, “should” are often introduced without any conjunction. In these cases inversion is found:

Often in the earliear days she had tried to talk to him about his work. Had he but looked into her eyes, he might have understood.

Exercise 2 Change the clauses omitting the conjunction.

1.You would not have put on weight if you had kept a diet.

2.If I were in town now, I should be able to buy the complete works of J.Galsworthy.

3.If you had a greater sense of responsibility, you would have considered this matter long ago.

4.If my friend had gone in for sports last winter, he could have had the time of his life.

5.I would tell you everything in detail if you could keep secret.

VII. SENTENCES OF PROBLEMATIC CONDITION

To make a supposition about the future follow the pattern: