Present and Future Real Conditionals: IF-clauses in English

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Let’s go over your answers to the tasks from our previous lesson. Okay?

I asked you to look at three statements. Are the verb forms correct in the conditional sentences?

These three statements share three conversational expressions that use with real conditionals.

The expressions are: [reads]

So that first sentence doesn’t need that progressive verb.

We say “Correct me if I’m wrong…” when we’re almost certain we have the correct information,

but we’re giving our listener a chance to tell us we’ve made a mistake or misunderstood.

What follows can be in the past, present, or future. Look at these examples.

The second sentence uses the simple past “mistook,” but we need the past participle. “Mistaken.”

This second expression is similar to our first. We say, “If I’m not mistaken” when we’re quite certain we have the correct information.

But there is room for just a little doubt.

So you see that the information we have can be about any time period.

The third expression also uses the simple present in the if-clause:

not "if you were so smart," but "if you are so smart."

The contraction YOU'RE. "If you're so smart, then..."

Note, this one can sound rude. It’s basically an accusation that someone doesn’t have the skill or knowledge to do something.

This means that I don’t really think you’re that smart. In fact, you’re no smarter than me.

A question or a demand follows in the result clause:

Now let’s talk at the bonus question: [reads]

This is another type of real conditional, but what’s the time frame? Will happen…?

The future, right?

So we’re now talking about real or likely situations in the future. If a condition is met, something will likely happen.

We can use WILL or BE GOING TO in the main clause, the result clause.

In our IF-clause, we use the present tense, even though we’re talking about the future.

Let’s see if you used the correct verb forms in your future conditionals.

Let's look at your answers to my question: What will happen if you don't charge your cell phone?

A true possibility.

I'm glad that's one of your concerns.

Lucas responded and the first time he wrote:

...And I said that that his example should be either entirely real or entirely unreal (hypothetical).

So Lucas self-corrected and did a great job. He rewrote it as:

Now it makes sense. It's all real, and depending on the context the grammar works for either

a real situation, like a general truth, or a likely situation in the future.

We just need more context, but the grammar now is correct. Good job.

True. We do so much digital communication. If you don't charge your phone, you won't be able to do that.

Right? In your Contacts. Good point.

This is like Lucas's example. The grammar is correct, and we would need more context

to understand if this is a general truth, a fact about the present, or if this is a likely situation. Something that will happen in the future

if we don't charge the phone.

But the grammar is correct.

All right. Good job.

Susana, your example is:

True. It's not just for personal use. Right? We need our cell phones for business, too.

Let's look at Gabriel's example. He wrote:

Good example. The grammar is correct, and I'm glad you thought of that.

We would not want that situation to happen, so thank you for charging your cell phone.

Marcelo shared an example. He wrote:

Yes, that is a tip for tourists. And this is a real possibility.

You could have problems. You will have problems at the airport if you don't charge your phone

and they can't check it to see if it's functioning correctly and normally.

Yeah. I would change this last part, Marcelo, and make it a little less wordy.

The grammar is correct, but let's say...

How about "they need"?

And in our last example, Bahar wrote:

Maybe that's a good possibility to consider.

Great job, everyone.

As you saw, we can use modal verbs in the result clause as well.

Modal verbs like MAY and MIGHT help us refer to future possibilities.

CAN and CAN’T allow us to talk about what we’ll be able to do or what we won’t be able to do.

When we make predictions about the future, we sometimes base our guess on a present situation.

So the condition is in the present, and the result is in the future.

In that case, you may see different present tense verb forms in the if-clause.

Consider all these examples.

In our next lesson, we’ll finish talking about real conditionals. Here’s your next task.

We'll go over the answers in the next lesson.

Answer my questions.

And here's the bonus task, the one you can answer in the comments.

Remember if you post your examples, I'll likely use them in my next video.

You're bonus task is to complete these sentences with your own ideas.

I'll see you again soon for our next lesson on conditionals

Please remember to like this video and subscribe.

That's all for now. Thanks for watching and happy studies!