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Writing for IELTS, session 4

Conditional Sentences

Type 0

Describes a fact

Structure:

               If + Subject + Present verb + Object, Subject + Present verb + Object.

Example:

              If there is an earthquake, run out.

              If you heat the Ice, It melts.

Type 1

Describes a possible happening

Structure:

             If + Subject + present verb + Object, Subject + Will + Finite verb + Object.

Example:

               If I study hard, I will pass the exam.

               If I become president, I will help the poor.

Type 2

Describes an impossible happening:

Structure:

               If + Subject + Past verb + Object, Subject + Would + Finite verb + Object.

Type 3

Describes a regret

Structure:

               If + Subject + Had + P.P. Verb + Object, Subject + would + have + P.P. verb + Object.

Example:

              If I had studied hard, I would have passed the exam.

Mixed conditional

              It describes a happening which its effect continues till now.

              First part is type 2 and second part is type 3.

Example:

              If I hadn't given up studying English 12 years ago, I would have my IELTS degree now.

Inversion:

In Third conditional sentences:

"Had" comes to the beginning of the sentence and replaces "If"

Example:

              If I had left on time, I would have watched that film.

              Had I left on time, I would have watched that film.\

              Or

              Having left on time, I would have watched that film.

In sentences with negative adverbs:

Never, rarely, seldom, barely, hardly, scarcely, when, before, no sooner… than

The negative adverb comes to the beginning of the sentence and the rest changes to question form.

Example:

              He seldom saw her in the neighborhood.

              Seldom did he see her in the neighborhood.

              She hardly talks to him recently.

              Hardly does she talk to him recently.

In not only but also clauses:

Example:

              This apartment is not only large but also beautiful. 

              Not only is this apartment large but also beautiful.

              We will not only be wasting money, but also time.

              Not only will we be wasting money, but also time.

In neither/nor clauses:

Example:

              She neither talked to him, nor smiled.

              Neither did she talk to him, nor did she smile.