2015-05-26 Structure: future real conditional

Examples of Superstitions:
If you break a mirror, you will have 7 years of bad luck.
If a black cat crosses your path, you will have bad luck (unless you change direction).
If you walk under a ladder, you will have bad luck.
If you find a four-leaf clover, you will have good luck.
If you find a penny, you will have good luck.
If you knock on wood, you will prevent bad luck.
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p. 356
“Break a leg.” = have good luck
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Conditionals: sentences with an if-clause (or an unless-clause)
Superstitions are usually future real conditionals

If you study, you will pass the test. (Maybe you will study. It’s a real possibility.)
If it rains tomorrow, I will bring an umbrella.

(We don’t use future tense in if-clauses or in time clauses.)
(After I get home tonight, I will watch Netflix.)

If I get a promotion, I will buy a new car.
= I’m not sure that I will get a promotion.

When I get a promotion, I will buy a new car.
= I’m sure that I will get a promotion.
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If it rains tomorrow, I will bring an umbrella.
if + [present tense], [future tense]
[present tense] = *any* present tense, including progressive and perfect
[future tense] = *any* future tense, including “going to” and present progressive

If it is raining when I wake up tomorrow, I am bringing my umbrella.
I am bringing my umbrella if it is raining when I wake up tomorrow.
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unless = if + not

Unless you study, you won’t pass your test.
You won’t pass your test unless you study.
(“you study” is the solution to “you won’t pass”)

We will have the party outside unless it rains.
(“unless” tells you something that can prevent the result)
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p. 360 exercise 2
2 unless
3 if
4 if
5 if
6 if
7 If
8 unless (“nobody is going to hire me” is the problem, “pass this test” is the solution)
9 Unless
10 If
11 if
12 If
13 if
14 if
15 unless
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If I get a promotion, I can buy a new car.
= I will have the ability to buy a car.

If I get a promotion, I could/may/might buy a new car.
= Maybe I will buy a car, but I’m not sure.

(could = was able to / were able to / would be able to / might be able to / might)

If it rains, I will bring my umbrella. (= I already decided.)
If it rains, I may bring my umbrella. (= I will decide later. Maybe it will be nice and warm and I will not bring my umbrella.)
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If you study, you will pass. = Studying will help. You’ll definitely pass if you do.
Unless you study, you will fail. = Studying might help. You’ll definitely fail if not.
Only if you study will you pass. = Studying might help. You’ll definitely fail if not.
Even if you study, you will fail. = Studying won’t help. You’ll definitely fail.
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Homework: p. 361 exercise 3