Cambridge Grammar of English Hardback with cd-rom a comprehensive Guide

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539 Glossary for any unfamiliar terms

Condition | 749

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● past simple if-clause and present perfect main clause:

If you ate too much over the holidays, then it’s no surprise you’ve put on

weight.

(you did eat too much and you have put on weight)

● past perfect if-clause and past simple main clause:

If they’d missed something out or had got it wrong, she showed them how to

correct it.

(if here is synonymous with when)

● past progressive if-clause and past simple main clause:

They always 

took the dog with them if they were going anywhere.

MAIN CLAUSES

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Although main clauses in if-sentences are most typically declarative, it is also

possible for interrogative and imperative clauses to occur.

● if-clause and interrogative main clause:

If you want to speak to him, why don’t you just give him a ring? 

Would you tell everyone, if you won a huge amount of money on the lottery?

If you’d lost your keys, what would you do?

● if-clause and imperative main clause:

If you get bad migraines, try a homeopathic cure.