Getting started
It is Friday afternoon. Your class is planning a trip to the beach at Cuxhaven tomorrow. Your teacher says:
If it rains, we will go to the aquarium instead.
Nobody knows the weather yet, but rain is a real possibility. The teacher talks about a condition (if it rains) and its result (we will go to the aquarium). Sentences like this are called if-clauses or conditional sentences. This lesson is about type 1, the most common one.
Auf Deutsch: If-clauses sind Bedingungssätze. Typ 1 beschreibt eine Bedingung, die wirklich eintreten kann: „Wenn es regnet, gehen wir ins Aquarium.“
Explanation
Two parts
Every conditional sentence has two parts:
- the if-clause (condition): If it rains, …
- the main clause (result): … we will go to the aquarium.
Tenses in type 1
| if-clause | main clause |
|---|---|
| simple present | will + infinitive |
| If it rains, | we will go to the aquarium. |
| If you hurry, | you*'ll** catch the bus.* |
| If she doesn't call, | I won't wait. |
The most important rule: there is no will in the if-clause.
- wrong: If it will rain, we will go to the aquarium.
- right: If it rains, we will go to the aquarium.
Auf Deutsch: Im if-Satz steht das simple present, nie will. Das ist ein häufiger Fehler, weil man im Deutschen auch „Wenn es regnen wird …“ sagen kann.
Word order and comma
The if-clause can come first or second.
- If it rains, we will stay inside. The if-clause comes first, so you use a comma.
- We will stay inside if it rains. The main clause comes first, so there is no comma.
Other forms in the main clause
Instead of will, the main clause can also have:
- a modal verb: If you finish early, you can go home. / If you feel ill, you should stay in bed.
- an imperative: If you see Tom, tell him to call me.
unless
unless means if … not:
You won't pass the test unless you study. = You won't pass the test if you don't study.
Examples
Example 1: Planning the trip
If the weather is good, we will have a picnic on the beach. If the tide is out, we will walk across the mudflats. If you forget your packed lunch, you can buy something at the kiosk. Bring a jacket. If it gets windy, you will be cold.
All the conditions are real possibilities. Each if-clause is in the simple present, each main clause has will, can or an imperative.
Example 2: Warnings and promises
Parents and teachers often use type 1 for warnings and promises:
- If you don't tidy your room, you won't get any pocket money.
- If you help me in the garden, I'll give you a lift to the cinema.
- Unless you leave now, you'll miss the train.
Rule
If-clause type 1 (real possibility): if + simple present, will + infinitive. No will in the if-clause. Comma only when the if-clause comes first. unless = if … not.
Exercises
Grundlagen
- Put the verbs into the correct form. a) If it (be) sunny tomorrow, we (go) swimming. b) If you (not / hurry), you (miss) the bus. c) My mum (be) angry if I (come) home late.
- Match the halves and write the sentences. a) If I get a good mark, … 1) … you will feel better. b) If you drink some water, … 2) … my parents will be happy. c) If we don't leave now, … 3) … we will be late.
Weiter
- Correct the mistakes. a) If it will snow, we will build a snowman. b) We will stay at home, if it rains. c) If he will call, I tell him the news.
- Rewrite with unless. a) If you don't practise, you won't get better. b) If we don't take a map, we will get lost.
Knobeln
- Write a chain of five type 1 sentences. Start with: If I get up late tomorrow, I will miss the bus. If I miss the bus, …
- Your friend wants to go to a festival. Write three conditions with if or unless that your parents might set.
Lösungen
- a) is, will go b) don't hurry, will miss c) will be, come
- a) 2: If I get a good mark, my parents will be happy. b) 1: If you drink some water, you will feel better. c) 3: If we don't leave now, we will be late.
- a) If it snows, we will build a snowman. (no will in the if-clause) b) We will stay at home if it rains. (no comma when the main clause comes first) c) If he calls, I will tell him the news. (simple present in the if-clause, will in the main clause)
- a) Unless you practise, you won't get better. b) Unless we take a map, we will get lost.
- For example: If I miss the bus, I will be late for school. If I am late for school, my teacher will be annoyed. If she is annoyed, she will give me extra homework. If I get extra homework, I won't have time for football.
- For example: You can go if you finish your homework first. You can go if an adult goes with you. You can't go unless you are home by 10 o'clock.