Conditional Sentence : Present or Unspecified Time

CONDITIONAL SENTENCES : PRESENT OR UNSPECIFIED TIME

A conditional sentence is a sentence that expresses a condition. A condition is something that can only happen if something else occurs. A conditional sentence contains an independent clause and a dependent clause that almost always begins with “if” but we can also use another word except “if” like provided that, unless or otherwise. In this paper we will discuss about conditional sentence with “if” and “otherwise”.

A.    Otherwise

Otherwise is a transition that contrasts reality with wishes and dreams. It means “if the situation were different ”or ”under other circumstances”.

Explanations	Examples	Impliedmeaning
The auxiliaries could, might, and would are often used after otherwise. As with other transitions, a semicolon is used when two sentences are joined into one.	I’m scared to walk alone at night; otherwise, I would go to the party. Idon’t have any money. Otherwise, I might buy a new car. No one knows where the criminal is hiding. We could arrest him, otherwise*	I am scared to walk home alone at night, so I won’t go to the party. I don’t have any money, so I can’t buy a new car. We don’t know where the criminal is hiding. Asaresult, we cannot arrest him.

*This placement of otherwise is informal. It is used in conversation only.

1.      Practice

1.      I don’t have much money this month. Otherwise, I might buy a gift for my mother’s birthday.

2.      I have a lot of homework tonight; otherwise, we could attend the firework show.

B.     Imaginary Conditionals: Present or Unspecified Time

Imaginary conditions express ideas that the speaker or wrier thinks are unlikely, untrue, or contrary to fact. They may be wishes or dreams, or they may express advice to others.

Explanations	Examples	Impliedmeaning
Could, might, or would is used in the main clause, and a subjunctive form is used in the if clause. In most cases, the subjunctive form is the same as the simple-past tense, but with the verb be, were is used for all persons in formal English.	If I had more money, I could take some trips. If I were rich, I would never worry. If I were you, I would save money. If I was you, I would save money.*	I don’t have much money, so I am not able to take any trips. I’m not rich, so I worry sometimes. My advice to you is that you should save money. My advice to you is that you should save money.

 *This form is incorrect but is frequently used in conversation.

2.      Practice

1.      I wish that there weren’t so much crime in this neighborhood. Then I wouldn’t feel so nervous about living here. (If there weren’t so much crime in this neighborhood, I wouldn’t feel so nervous about living here.)

2.      I wish the street were safer here.Then I could walk home at night. (If the street were safer here, I could walk home at night.)