Conditional clauses

The if clause

The if clause can occur to the left or to the right of the main clause:

if you tell me, I'll do it (with comma)

I'll do it if you tell me (without comma)

Such as Italian, if clause can be omitted. In this case, you have to invert the subject and the verb: Had I known this, I would not have called him (Lo avessi saputo, ...)

The inversion can be done only with auxiliaries (to be, to have)

Three types of if-clauses

Probability

if [present] then [future]

if you work hard, you will pass your exam

With a modal verb (can, must, may...) you don't have to use the future tense:

if you are cold you may get a flue

The main clause can contain an imperative mode instead of future tense...:

If you talk to him, do not forget to mention this

...or a continuous form:

If you tell him, he will be talking about it for ages

Possibility

if [past] then [conditional] If I had a car, I would drive you there

Counterfactual

if [past perfect] then [past conditional] If I had known this, I would not have done it

Remarks

Continuous forms are always available instead of non continuous forms.

Dictionary of the day

En	It	Notes
tense	tempo verbale
unless	a meno che
provided	purché