Page 128 - New Grammar with a Smile 8

The basic form of such conditional sentences is:

If + clause in the present tense + clause in the simple present with modal
auxiliary, and the structure of the second clause is:

Subject + modal auxiliary + main verb + the rest of the clause

The modal auxiliary could be any of these—shall, should, will, would, can,
could, may, might, must, dare, need to and ought to.

The tense in the if-clause could be any of the present tenses. For example,
• If they are coming to see us, we ought to show them around.
• If we show them around today, they might leave tomorrow.
• If they have already left, then we can’t stop them.

The if in the if-clause can be replaced with should in this type of conditional.
For example,

• Should he ask me, I will help him.

3. Conditionals of Type 2 (Time: Present or Future)

These are conditionals which indicate a result which could hold with hardly any
probability. This is because it is expected that the condition in the if-clause will
not hold. Since there is hardly any possibility of the action taking place, such
conditionals are also called unlikely conditionals.

The basic form of such conditional sentences is:

If + clause in the simple past + clause in the simple future in the past, and
the structure of the second clause is:
Subject + should/would/could/might + main verb (infinitive without ‘to’) +
the rest of the clause

Note that the modal auxiliary has to be one of the past tense forms—should,
would, could or might. For example,
• If they opened their eyes, they would see that they have a lot to be grateful
for. (but they won’t open their eyes, I know)
• If you made an effort, we might be able to solve the problem. (but you don’t
make any efforts, I know)

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