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

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.
Help
تمرین
For each unfinished sentence decide whether it is an angry comment or a polite request and drag it to the correct box.
Hint
Someone isn't happy with the behaviour of their teenage child.Help
تمرین
For each unfinished sentence decide whether it is an angry comment or a polite request and drag it to the correct box.
Hint
Someone needs help waking up.Help
تمرین
For each unfinished sentence decide whether it is an angry comment or a polite request and drag it to the correct box.
Hint
Think about someone needing some help with something.Help
تمرین
For each unfinished sentence decide whether it is an angry comment or a polite request and drag it to the correct box.
Hint
Think about parents being called by the school because their child has misbehaved, again.Help
تمرین
For each unfinished sentence decide whether it is an angry comment or a polite request and drag it to the correct box.
Hint
The boss wants to see someone, it could be bad news or good news.Question 1 of 5
Angry comment
Polite request
Excellent!آفرین! نمره شماBad luck!:
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.
Help
تمرین
For each unfinished sentence decide whether it is an angry comment or a polite request and drag it to the correct box.
Hint
Someone isn't happy with the behaviour of their teenage child.Question 1 of 5
Help
تمرین
For each unfinished sentence decide whether it is an angry comment or a polite request and drag it to the correct box.
Hint
Someone needs help waking up.Question 2 of 5
Help
تمرین
For each unfinished sentence decide whether it is an angry comment or a polite request and drag it to the correct box.
Hint
Think about someone needing some help with something.Question 3 of 5
Help
تمرین
For each unfinished sentence decide whether it is an angry comment or a polite request and drag it to the correct box.
Hint
Think about parents being called by the school because their child has misbehaved, again.Question 4 of 5
Help
تمرین
For each unfinished sentence decide whether it is an angry comment or a polite request and drag it to the correct box.
Hint
The boss wants to see someone, it could be bad news or good news.Question 5 of 5
Excellent!آفرین! نمره شماBad luck!:
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?
دستور زبان این جلسه
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.