6.6: Conditionals for Argumentation
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We can use conditionals to describe consequences, solutions, and hypothetical situations. Conditionals can serve as helpful illustrations or supporting points in argumentative writing. There are four main types of conditionals in English, but here we will focus only on the First and Second Conditionals.
Take a look at these examples. How are they different grammatically? How does the grammar change the meaning?
If I pass this class, I will celebrate by going out to a fancy dinner with friends.
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Meaning: There is a chance this student can pass the class. Perhaps they have been attending class, taking good notes, and doing decently on the exams. There might be some uncertainty about passing, but the condition (passing the class) is possible and realistic.
Therefore, the result (celebrating with a fancy dinner) also has a real chance of occurring.
If I passed this class, I would celebrate by going out to a fancy dinner with friends.
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Meaning: It is very unlikely that this student will pass the class. They haven't been doing any of the work and have a very weak grasp of the key concepts. It is also near the end of the term, and their Canvas grade is only 50%. The condition (passing the class) is hypothetical or unobtainable at this point.
However, this student has a vivid imagination and can still dream about what could happen if things were different. Sadly, this imaginary result (celebrating with a fancy dinner) is not expected to happen in reality. You can't celebrate a bad result.
First Conditional “Future Real”
Use If + present simple and will / can to discuss a certain or likely possibility in the future. (realistic future prediction)
If students work with Writing Center tutors, they will succeed more often.
- "If" signals that the sentence is conditional
- Present simple "work" describes a suggested action
- A comma marks the end of the "if" clause
- Future simple "will succeed" describes the result
More examples:
- Students will feel less stressed if professors assign less homework.
- If students have less homework, they will have more free time.
- If students have more free time, they can spend more time with their families. ("can" expresses a realistic opportunity / ability to do something)
- If students have more free time, they will spend more time with their families. ("will" expresses a realistic prediction)
Keeping the "if" statement in the present tense shows that it is a real possibility that actually could happen. There is hope it could come true!
Second Conditional “Unreal Present/Future”
Use If + past simple and would / could to describe an unlikely or imaginary (unreal) situation in the present or future.
If De Anza College became completely tuition-free, more students would take classes.
- "If" signals that the sentence is conditional
- Past simple "became" describes an unlikely event
- A comma marks the end of the "if" clause
- "Would + verb" describes the result of the unlikely event
More examples:
- Students would be happy if De Anza College cancelled finals weeks.
- If I were a teacher, I would assign zero homework.
- If I had more free time, I would exercise more. ("would" expresses the likely result of an imaginary, unrealistic situation)
- If I had more free time, I could exercise more. ("could" expresses the possibility or ability to do something in an imaginary, unrealistic situation)
In the Second Conditional, we say "I were" (instead of the standard past "I was") to indicate this "unreal conditional". This is the pattern for all pronouns and be-verbs when talking about unreal, imaginary situations.
- If I were you...
- If you were here...
- If it were possible...
- If s/he were...
- If they were...
Keeping the "if" statement in the past tense shows that the situation is unreal, imaginary, or impossible. We can still dream and imagine the possibilities if it could happen, even though the reality is slim to none.
Practice with Conditionals
Directions: Look at the clue in parentheses and decide if the sentence is a real or unreal possibility. Then, write the correct form of the verb.
If the San Francisco Giants ⚾️ 1. ______ (win) tonight, I will actually start believing in miracles. If I 2. ______ (be) the manager, I would focus on giving the youngest players the most play time, even if it means losing a lot. If the younger players 3. ______ (develop) the resilience and confidence to consistently perform well, the Giants can make it to the playoffs by 2030. If I 4. ______ (have) the power to change the team, I would only keep Bryce Eldridge and make him the new face of the team. I would be pleasantly surprised if the Giants 5. ______ (finish) the next season with a winning record (win more than 50% of all games).
- Answer
- If the San Francisco Giants ⚾️ 1. win tonight (real, future possibility), I will start believing in miracles. If I 2. were the manager (imaginary situation), I would focus on giving the youngest players the most playing time, even if it means losing a lot. If the younger players 3. develop the resilience and confidence to consistently perform well (realistic future possibility), the Giants can make it to the playoffs by 2030. If I 4. had the power to change the team (imaginary scenario), I would only keep Bryce Eldridge and make him the new face of the team. I would be pleasantly surprised if the Giants 5. finished the next season with a winning record (win more than 50% of all games --very unlikely scenario).