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Dependent and Independent Time Clauses

The first conditional

A conditional is used to talk about a possible or imaginary situation (the condition) and the consequences(or the result) of it.

The first conditional - meaning

 
We use the first conditional to talk about something that will happen (the result), if a particular condition (which is likely to happen) is met. Because the manager is asking Tim to work in the stockroom, it's likely that Tim will do it and that's why we use the first conditionalhere. In order to get an interview, Tim has to work in the stockroom. If you do this for me, you'll have a chance of promotion. If Tim works in the stock room, he will get an interview. If Tim doesn't work in the stock room, he won't get an interview. So, the meaning is that if the condition is met (and it's more than 50% likely to happen) then the result will happen.

The first conditional - form

 
The first conditional is made up of the condition (the 'if' part of the sentence) and the consequence or the result.
     
     

If + present simple, will + base verb

If Tim works in the stockroom, he will get an interview.
If you do this for me, you'll have a chance of promotion.

The first conditional - Modal verbs will, may and might:

 
When we use will in the result clause of the first conditional, we are certain that something will happen. It is definite. But we can use may or might instead of will. This means that the consequence is not certain. It is possible, but not definite. I'm not feeling very well. If it rains tomorrow, I'll stay at home. I'm feeling fine and I've got a car. If it rains tomorrow, I might stay at home, or I may go shopping. I'll decide tomorrow. Note: In the first conditional, there is no difference in meaningbetween may and might.

The first conditional - If and if not:

 
In conditional sentences, you don't always use 'if' or 'if not'. You can use 'provided that' or 'so long as' instead of 'if'. For example: Ifyou put down the gun, I won't call the police. = So long asyou put down the gun, I won't call the police. = Provided thatyou put down the gun I won't call the police. = (Provided thatis more formal than if.) You can use 'unless' instead of 'if not'. For example: If you don't put the gun down, I'll call the police. = Unless you put the gun down, I'll call the police.

Future Time Clauses

Dependent and Independent Time Clauses

An English clause is a group of words with a subject and a verb. There are two types: independent and dependent. An independent clause expresses a complete thought, begins with a capital letter and ends with a period, question mark or exclamation mark. In other words, it is a complete sentence. However, a dependent clause, although it also contains a subject and a verb, does not express a complete thought. Therefore it cannot stand alone; it must be joined to an independent clause. See the example clauses below.



It was raining (independent clause) when I left the house this morning. (dependent clause)
She went home early (independent clause) because she didn't feel well. (dependent clause)

In these examples, the dependent clauses follow the independent clauses. However, you can start a sentence with a dependent clause as long as you separate it from the independent (or main) clause with a comma, as in the examples below.

When I left the house this morning, it was raining.
Because she didn't feel well, she went home early.


Date: 2015-12-17; view: 813


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