Close menu
21

Unit 21: When and if
Unfinished conditional sentences

Select a unit

  1. 1 Go beyond intermediate with our new video course
  2. 2 Reported speech in 90 seconds!
  3. 3 If or whether?
  4. 4 5 ways to use 'would'
  5. 5 Let and allow
  6. 6 Passive voice
  7. 7 Unless
  8. 8 Mixed conditionals
  9. 9 The zero article - in 90 seconds
  10. 10 The indefinite article - in 90 seconds
  11. 11 The. That's right - the! Learn all about it in 90 seconds
  12. 12 The continuous passive
  13. 13 Future perfect
  14. 14 Need + verb-ing
  15. 15 Have something done
  16. 16 Wish
  17. 17 Word stress
  18. 18 Different ways of saying 'if'
  19. 19 Passive reporting structures
  20. 20 The subjunctive
  21. 21 When and if
  22. 22 Inversion
  23. 23 Phrasal verbs
  24. 24 The future
  25. 25 Modals in the past
  26. 26 Narrative tenses
  27. 27 Phrasal verb myths
  28. 28 Conditionals review
  29. 29 Used to - review
  30. 30 Linking words of contrast

Session 4

We normally think of a conditional sentence as having two parts. Sometimes though, English speakers will only say the conditional clause, the 'if' part. Tim explores this topic in this video.

Sessions in this unit

12345

Session 4 score

0 / 5

  • 0 / 5
    Activity 1
  1. Activity 1

Activity 1

Stop Saying!

Not finishing conditional sentences

If you do something, something will happen. That's an example of a typical conditional sentence. It has two parts. An 'if clause' and a main clause. In spoken English, in particular circumstances, it's possible to leave out the main clause. Tim looks at how and when this happens in this video.

Watch the video and complete the activity

Summary

The main clause of a conditional sentence can be left out when its meaning is clearly understood. This can often be the case with:

  • polite requests
    If you could just help me with this.
    If you wouldn't mind passing me the stapler.
    If you could get here by four.

  • angry threats
    If you do that one more time!
    If you don't tidy your room up!
    If you're late again!

  • regrets and recriminations
    If only I hadn't sold the car.
    If you hadn't left it so late to book the flight.
    If only she'd been more careful with her wallet.

 

To do

Can you tell the difference between a polite request and an angry comment? Try the quiz to find out.

 

Angry or polite?

5 Questions

For each unfinished sentence decide whether it is an angry comment or a polite request and drag it to the correct box.

Congratulations you completed the Quiz
Excellent! Great job! Bad luck! You scored:
x / y

Angry or polite?

5 Questions

For each unfinished sentence decide whether it is an angry comment or a polite request and drag it to the correct box.

Congratulations you completed the Quiz
Excellent! Great job! Bad luck! You scored:
x / y

End of session

Congratulations, you've reached the end of this session.

Many thanks to the staff and students of Bell London for their help with this feature.

Next

What's cooking at the White Elephant?

Session Grammar

  • The main clause of a conditional sentence can be left out when its meaning is clearly understood. This can often be the case with:

    polite requests
    If you could just help me with this.
    If you wouldn't mind passing me the stapler.
    If you could get here by four.

    angry threats
    If you do that one more time!
    If you don't tidy your room up!
    If you're late again!

    regrets and recriminations
    If only I hadn't sold the car.
    If you hadn't left it so late to book the flight.
    If only she'd been more careful with her wallet.

View full grammar reference

Session Vocabulary

View full vocabulary reference

Download centre

Latest course content