Material Unit 3
1. Grammar
1.1. Conditional sentences
Conditional sentences have two clauses:
- the conditional clause- if-clause (starting with if)
- the result clause (the main clause)
Example: If the temperature drops to 0ºC, water turns into ice.
The conditional clause can also start with unless, meaning if not.
Example: Unless it rains, we'll meet you in the park. // If it doesn't rain, we'll meet you in the park.
The order of the two clauses are flexible, but we must use a comma after the conditional clause when it comes first.
Example: If I trained harder, I'd be a lot fitter.
We distinguish different types of conditionals: zero, first, second and third according to the degree of probability that they express.