Using Conditional Sentences in English - 5 Levels of Difficulty

Hi, I’m Stephanie.

嗨，我是Stephanie。

Welcome to Oxford Online English!

歡迎來到Oxford Online English！

In this lesson, you can learn about conditional sentences.

在本節課裡，您能學到條件句。

Conditional sentences are sentences with the word ‘if’.

條件句是有“if”的句子。

You can use conditional sentences to talk about many different situations.

您可以用條件句來談論 很多不同的情形。

There are also sentences which don’t use the word ‘if’, but which follow similar

也有句子不用單字“if”， 但是採用類似

rules.

規則。

By the way, do you want English subtitles while watching this video?

此外，在您看這個影片時， 您想有英文或中文字幕嗎？

Click the ‘CC’ button in the bottom right now to turn on English subtitles if you need

如果您要看字幕，現在點擊播放軟體 底部右側的“CC”鍵，

them.

打開字幕。

This is a ‘5 levels’ lesson.

這是一個“五個級別”的課程。

That means you’ll see five sections.

也就是說您會看到五個單元。

Each section will give you a challenge.

您在每個單元會遇到一個挑戰。

Each section is more difficult than the previous one.

每個單元也會比之前一個更難。

If you’re a more advanced English speaker, you should probably skip to level two.

如果您的英文達到高階， 您可能要跳到第二個級別。

Ready?

準備好了嗎？

Let’s go!

我們開始！

Look at the five sentences.

看五個句子。

Your job is to put the verb in brackets into the correct form.

您的功課是填寫括號裡動詞 的正確時態。

Pause the video and do it now.

暫停影片，現在開始做。

Ready?

好了嗎？

Here are the answers.

這裡是回答。

So, what do you need to know here?

那麼，這您要了解什麼？

These sentences are called first conditionals.

這些句子稱為第一類條件句。

They talk about things which could happen in the future.

他們談論會在未來發生的事情。

All conditional sentences have two parts.

所有的條件句有兩個部份。

They have an if-clause… …and a *result* clause.

他們有一個 if 子句.... …以及一個 *結果* 子句。

You need to know three basic things to make first conditional sentences.

您要知道三件基本的事情來做 第一類條件句造句練習。

One: after ‘if’, use a present tense.

一：在“if”之後，用現在式。

Here, you use the present simple.

這裡，您用現在簡單式。

Other present tenses are sometimes possible, but you can almost always use the present

有時可能用其他的現在時態， 但是您幾乎總是可以用

simple.

現在簡單式。

Even though you’re talking about the future, you generally can’t use a future form after

雖然您在談論未來，但您一般不能在“if” 後面用一個未來式；

‘if’; you use a present verb tense to talk about the future.

您要用動詞的現在時態來談論未來。

Two: in the result clause – meaning the other part of the sentence – use a future

二：在結果子句 - 即句子的 其他部份 - 用

form.

未來式。

You can use different future forms, like ‘will’, ‘going to’, or the present continuous.

您可以用不同的未來式，像是“will”、 “going to”或現在進行式。

Three: you can change the order of the clauses; you can put the if-clause at the start of

三：您可以改變子句的順序； 您可以放if子句在句首，

the sentence, or you can start with the result clause, and the if-clause goes afterwards.

或者您可以用結果子句開始， if子句放在後面。

With these three points, you can make first conditional sentences to talk about things

有這三個要點，您可以造第一類條件句 來談論在未來可能

which might happen in the future.

發生的事情。

However, there are many other kinds of conditional sentence.

然而，條件句有很多種。

Let’s move on to level two!

我們進入第二級別。

Look at your sentences for level two.

看下第二級別的句子。

Here, you have a different task.

這裡，您有一個不同的任務。

Some of these sentences are correct, but some are not.

這些句子有些是正確的， 但有些是錯誤的。

Your job is to find the mistakes and correct them.

您的功課是找出錯的並修正他們。

Pause the video and think about it.

暫停影片，考慮答案。

Take as much time as you need!

隨便您花多少時間。

Could you do it?

您可以做嗎？

Let’s look together.

我們一起看看。

Sentences one and two are correct.

句一和句二是正確的。

These are called zero conditionals.

這是零條件句。

A zero conditional uses the present simple in both parts of the sentence.

一個零條件句在句子的兩個部份 都用現在簡單式。

Use zero conditionals to talk about things which are generally true.

用零條件句來談論那些 通常是真實的事情。

Sentence three is incorrect, but four is correct.

句三不正確，但是句四是正確的。

Can you explain why?

您可以解釋為什麼嗎？

‘Unless’ means ‘if not’.

“Unless”意思是“if not”。

You can’t use a negative verb after ‘unless’, because you can’t have two negatives together

您不能在“unless”後面用一個否定動詞， 因為在英文裡，您不能同時

in English.

用兩個否定。

So, sentence three should be ‘Unless you *have* further questions, let’s move on

這樣，句三必須是“Unless you *have* further questions, let’s move on

to the next point.’

to the next point.“

Finally, sentence five is also incorrect.

最後，句五也是不正確的。

There are many words which behave similarly to ‘if’.

有很多單字與”if“相近。

‘Until’ is one such word; others include ‘as soon as’, ‘when’, ‘in case’

”Until“是其中一個；其他的含括 ”as soon as“、 ”when“、”in case’

and ‘unless’.

和“unless”。

Like with ‘if’, you can’t generally use a future form after these words.

就像搭配“if”，在這些單字後面， 一般來說，您不能用未來式。

Instead, you use a present verb – usually the present simple – to refer to the future.

取而代之的是，您用動詞現在式 – 通常 為現在簡單式 – 來指未來。

So, sentence five should be ‘I can’t do any work until my computer *is* fixed.’

這樣，句五必須是“I can’t do any work until my computer *is* fixed.”

Did you get everything right?

您做的都對了嗎？

If so, great!

如果這樣，太棒了。

If not, don’t worry.

如果沒有，不用擔心。

Remember that you can always review a section if you need to.

記住，如果您需要，您隨時 能複習上一個單元。

Here are your sentences.

這是給您的句子。

This time, you have to put both verbs into the correct form.

這次，您必須填寫兩個動詞的正確時態。

Here’s a tip: not all the sentences follow the same pattern.

這有一個建議：不是所有的句子都 採用相同的結構。

Think carefully!

認真考慮！

For one verb, there are two possible answers.

一個動詞，可能有兩種答案。

Pause the video and make your answers now.

現在暫停影片，做您的答案。

Done?

做好了嗎？

Take a look.

看一下。

How did you do?

您怎麼做的？

Did you get them all right?

都作對了嗎？

If not, what do you need to study?

如果沒有，您需要學什麼？

These sentences are all second and third conditionals.

這些句子都是第二類和第三類條件句。

Second and third conditionals are *unreal* conditionals.

第二類和第三類條件是 *不真實的* 條件。

That means you use them to talk about imaginary situations – situations that didn’t really

就是說您用他們來談論想像的 情形 - 他們沒有發生，

happen, or won’t happen.

或者不會發生。

For example, look at sentence two: ‘If I were president, I’d send everyone a cake

例如，看句二：“If I were president, I’d send everyone a cake

on their birthday.’

on their birthday.”

But, I’m not president, and I’m not going to be.

但是我不是總統，將來我 也不會是總統。

It’s an unreal, imaginary situation.

那是一個不真實的、想像的情形。

So, no cake for you!

所以，您沒有冰淇淋！

You use second conditionals to talk about unreal situations in the present or future.

您用第二類條件句來談論在現在 或未來不真實的情形。

You use third conditionals to talk about unreal situations in the past.

您用第三類條件句來談論在過去的 不真實的情形。

Look at the five sentences again.

在看五個句子。

Which ones are second conditionals, and which are third conditionals?

哪些是第二類條件句， 哪些是第三類條件句？

One, two and four are second conditionals; they refer to the present or the future.

句一、句二和句四是第二類條件句； 他們描述的是現在或未來。

Three and five refer to the past, so they’re third conditionals.

句三和句五描述的是過去，所以 他們是第三類條件句。

If you find this difficult, start by reviewing second conditional sentences.

如果您覺得這很難學，從 複習第二類條件句開始。

Also, study the difference between real and unreal conditionals.

也學習真實的與不真實的 條件句之間的區別。

Many languages don’t make a difference between real and unreal situations like English does.

很多語言不像英文那樣在真實的 與不真實的情形之間有差別。

If your language doesn’t do this, then you’ll need to pay extra attention to these unreal

如果您的語言不像是這樣，在您說 英文時，您也許要額外地注意

sentences when you’re speaking English.

這些不真實的句子。

When you feel that you understand second conditionals well, then learn and practise third conditionals.

當您覺得您理解了第二類條件句， 那麼學習和練習第三類條件句。

So, is that it?

那麼，那是什麼？

Have we seen all the possible types of conditional sentences?

您看到了所有可能的 條件句架構嗎？

Not quite yet.

還沒有。

In level four, let’s do something a little different.

在第四級別，我們做點不同的。

Look at the sentences to begin.

我們先看些句子。

You have two jobs here.

在這您有兩個功課。

One: are both verb forms possible, or not?

功課一：兩種動詞時態可行嗎， 還是不可行？

If not, which one is right?

如果不可行，哪一個是正確的？

Two: if both are possible, is there any difference in meaning?

功課二：如果兩個時態是可行的，他們的 含義有區別嗎？

If so, what?

如果有區別，是什麼？

Pause the video now.

現在暫停影片。

You know what to do!

您知道要做什麼。

OK, before we look at the answers, here’s a clue: there’s only one sentence where

好，在我們看答案之前，這有 一個線索：兩個動詞時態是

both verb forms are possible.

可行的僅僅有一個句子。

If that’s news to you, then feel free to pause again and take more time to think about

如果這和您的答案不同，那麼您可以 隨時再暫停影片，花更多時間

it.

考慮這些句子。

Ready now?

現在可以了嗎？

Let’s check!

我們來檢查一下。

Like in level three, all these sentences are *unreal* conditionals.

像是在第三級別，所有的句子是 *不真實的*條件。

They’re talking about things which didn’t happen or won’t happen in reality.

他們在談論現實裡並沒發生 或不會發生的事情。

But, these are mixed conditionals.

但是，這些是混合條件。

That means the one part of the sentence is about the present or future, and the other

那就是說句子的一部份是現在式或 未來式， 另一部份則是

part is about the past.

過去式。

For example, in sentence two, the first clause – which is the result clause – is about

例如，在句二裡，第一個子句 – 那是一個結果子句 – 是

the present, and the if-clause is about the past.

現在式，而if - 子句則是過去式。

In sentence three, the result clause is about the future, and the if-clause is about the

在句三裡，結果子句是未來式， if - 子句是

past.

過去式。

In sentence one, both forms are possible.

在句一裡，兩種動詞時態是可行的。

Sentence one can also be a third conditional, referring to the past.

句一也可以是第三類條件句， 指的是過去式。

However, it can also be a mixed conditional, with the if-clause referring to the present,

然而，那也可以是一個混合條件句， if-子句是現在式，

and the result clause referring to the past.

結果子句是過去式。

Here’s the question you probably want an answer to: what’s the difference between

這是一個您可能想問的問題： 在句一裡用兩種動詞

using the two forms in sentence one?

時態有什麼區別？

Can you explain it?

您可以解釋嗎？

If you use ‘wasn’t’, and say ‘if she wasn’t so shy’, then you’re referring

如果您用“wasn’t”，說“if she wasn’t so shy”，那麼您指

to the present.

的是現在式。

This suggests that she’s generally shy – this is part of her personality.

這表明她通常會害羞 – 這是她的個性的一部份。

If you say ‘if she hadn’t been so shy’, then you’re referring to the past.

如果您說“if she hadn’t been so shy”， 那麼您是指過去式。

This suggests that she was shy during her stay here, but maybe she’s not shy all the

這表明她待在這裡時很害羞， 但也許她不是一直都

time.

這樣的。

This is a small difference, but it is a difference nonetheless.

儘管這是一個小區別，但那是一個區別。

Another question: how do you know there’s only one possibility for sentences two to

另一個問題：您知道為什麼句二 到句五只有一種

five?

可能性嗎？

It’s because all these sentences contain a time marker.

那是因為所有的句子含有 一個時間標記。

For example, sentences two and four include the word ‘now’.

例如，句二和句四含有單字“now”。

So, they must be about the present.

因此，他們必須是現在式。

Sentences three and five contain time markers which clearly refer to the past.

句三和句五含有清晰指向 過去式的時間標記。

So, what should you do if you found this difficult?

所以，如果您很難找到這些，那怎麼辦？

First, review second and third conditionals, and how to form them.

首先，複習第二類和第三類條件句， 以及他們的結構。

If you have difficulties with the formation of second or third conditional sentences,

如果您在第二類或第三類條件句的 結構上有困難，

then you’ll struggle with mixed conditionals, too.

那麼您也會在混合條件句掙扎。

Then, try to make some mixed conditional sentences about your life.

那麼，試下造一些有關您生活的 混合條件句。

Think of things you did – or didn’t do – in the past, which could have made a difference

現在，考慮哪些您在過去做了的或沒做的 並可能會改變您的

to your life now.

生活的事情。

Or, think about your personality traits, and how your past might have been different if

或者，考慮您的個性特點，以及 如果您曾有不同的個性，

you had a different personality.

您的過去可能會有怎樣的不同。

If you want extra practise, add your examples in the comments!

如果您想額外練習， 在留言板寫下您的例句！

OK, there’s one more section.

好，還有一個單元。

Are you ready for the toughest challenge?

您準備好最頂級的挑戰了嗎？

Look at your level five sentences.

看看第五級別的句子。

Your job is to complete each sentence with *one* word.

您的功課是用*一個*單字 完成每一個句子。

There’s only one answer that makes sense, except for number five, where there are at

只有一個有意義的答案， 除了至少有兩個可能

least two possible answers.

回答的5號。

Pause the video and find your answers.

暫停影片並想出您的答案。

Could you do it?

您能做嗎？

These sentences test some extremely specific grammar knowledge.

這些句子測試特定的語法知識。

Let’s see the answers.

我們看看回答。

So, can you explain what’s happening here?

那麼，您可以解釋這裡是怎樣嗎？

Some of these sentence might look strange or wrong, but they’re all correct.

一些句子也許看上去是怪怪的或 錯誤的，但是他們都是正確的。

By the way, in sentence five, ‘would’ is – we think – the most likely answer,

順便說下，在句五，“would”是 我們認為的最有可能的答案，

but ‘will’ and ‘could’ are also possible.

但是“will”和“could”也可能是。

In sentence one, using the present perfect, instead of the present simple, means that

在句一裡，用現在完成式， 取代了現在簡單式，意味著

this person has already taken their English exam, but doesn’t know the results yet.

這個人已經參加了英文測驗， 但是他還不知道結果。

Usually in first conditional sentences, you might be able to use other present tenses,

通常在第一類條件句裡，您 也許能用其他的現在時態，

but you can always use the present simple.

但是您總是可以用現在簡單式。

However, there’s one case where you *must* use the present perfect.

然而，有一個事例您*必須* 用現在完成式。

If you’re talking about the future consequences of something which happened in the past, you

如果您在談論某些過去發生的事情 的未來後果，

need the present perfect after ‘if’.

您要在“if”後面用現在完成式。

In this case, the event – the exam – is in the past, but the consequences – meaning

在這個事例裡，時間 — 測驗是過去發生的， 但是後果 — 即

the results – are in the future.

測驗成績 — 是在未來發生的。

Sentence two is a more formal or literary style.

句二是更正式的，或文字形式。

The more common pattern would be ‘if you had told us sooner…’

更常見的結構會是“if you had told us sooner…“

You can use this formal style if the first verb after ‘if’ is ‘had’, ‘should’

如果”if“後的第一個動詞是 ”had“、”should“或”were“，

or ‘were’.

您可以用這種正式的形式。

To form the sentence, you do two things.

要造句，您要做兩件事。

One: you omit ‘if’.

一：您省略”if“.

Two: you move the auxiliary verb – ‘had’, ‘should’ or ‘were’ – before the

二：您移動助動詞”had“、 ”should“或”were“到

subject.

主語前。

It’s never necessary to use this pattern; you can always use a regular conditional,

從來都不必用這種結構；您總是 可以用有”if“的一個正常的

with ‘if’, instead.

條件句來取代它。

What about sentence three?

那句三呢？

In second conditional sentences, if the verb after ‘if’ describes an action, you can

在第二類條件句裡，如果”if“後面 的動詞描述一個行為，

add ‘were to’ before the verb.

您可以在動詞前面添加”were to”。

This emphasises that the situation is very distant or unlikely.

這強調情形不樂觀或不像是那樣。

When you use this, you’re saying ‘I really don’t think this will happen.’

當您用這個時，您在說“I really don’t think this will happen.”

In this case, the interviewer is probably not very positive about this candidate!

在這個事例裡，面試官可能不是 十分讚同這個候選人。

Again, you never need to use this structure.

再重複一次，您從來都不必用這種結構。

You could make a regular second conditional: ‘if we decided to hire you…’

您可以造一個正常的第二類條件句： “if we decided to hire you…”

In sentence four, what do you think is happening?

在句四裡，您覺得怎樣？

You might be thinking: you can’t use ‘will’ after ‘if’ in a conditional sentence.

您可能想：您不能在一個條件句 的“if”後面用“will”。

That’s generally true, but this sentence isn’t really a conditional.

那通常是真的，但是這個句子並非一個 真正的條件句。

‘If’ here does not express a condition; it is similar in meaning to ‘in case’.

“If”在這沒有表達出一個條件的意思； 他的意思是近似於“in case”。

You can understand the sentence as ‘You can take it, because it might help you.’

您可以理解這句為“You can take it, because it might help you.”

So, the regular rules about first conditionals don’t apply here, and you can – and should

那麼，正常的第一類條件句規則在 這不適用，您可以

– use ‘will’ after ‘if’.

在“if”的後面用“will”。

Sentence five might also look weird to some of you.

也許您覺得句五看上去怪怪的。

Can you explain it?

您可以解釋嗎？

Why is there only one part?

為什麼只有一個部份。

Don’t conditionals need to have two parts?

條件句不都是有兩個部份嗎？

Like with number four, this isn’t a conditional.

像是句四，這不是一個條件句。

It’s a formal way of making a request.

那是發出請求的一種正式形式。

The meaning is equivalent to ‘Would you please follow me?’

含義相當於“Would you please follow me?”

Because it isn’t a conditional, it doesn’t need a result clause – you can just use

因為那不是一個條件句，它不需要 一個結果子句，您可以只用

an if-clause by itself.

“if”子句自身作為一句。

Remember that this is a formal style, and you’re not likely to hear it or use it often.

記住這是一個正式形式，您不太 可能常聽到它。

Now, we have one final question for you: what topic from this lesson would you like to learn

現在，我們有一個最後的問題： 這節課的哪個主題

more about?

您想學更多？

Please let us know in the comments!

請在留言板告訴我們。

Thanks for watching!

感謝觀看！

See you next time!

下次見！