Some methods in teaching conditional sentences for the tenth form english class at Nguyen Quan Nho h...

Some methods in teaching conditional sentences for the tenth form english class at Nguyen Quan Nho high school 1 THANH HOA DEPARTMENT EDUCATION AND TRAINING NGUYEN QUAN NHO HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE INITIATIVE SOME METHODS IN TEACHING CONDITIONAL SENTENCES FOR THE TENTH FORM ENGLISH CLASS AT NGUYEN QUAN NHO HIGH SCHOOL Author Nguyen Thi Chau Position Teacher Experience initiative English field THANH HOA 2017 SangKienKinhNghiem net 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 Introduction 2 1 1 Rationale 2 1 2 Aims and[.]

THANH HOA DEPARTMENT EDUCATION AND TRAINING

NGUYEN QUAN NHO HIGH SCHOOL

EXPERIENCE INITIATIVE

SOME METHODS IN TEACHING CONDITIONAL

SENTENCES FOR THE TENTH FORM ENGLISH CLASS

AT NGUYEN QUAN NHO HIGH SCHOOL

Author: Nguyen Thi Chau Position: Teacher

Experience initiative: English field

THANH HOA 2017

\ TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 Introduction

2 1.1 Rationale

2 1.2 Aims and objectives of the study

2 1.3 The scope of the study

2 1.4 Methods of the study

3 1.5 Design of the study

3

2 Development

4

2.1 Chapter 1: Theoretical background

4 2.1.1 Conditional sentence type I

4 2.1.2 Conditional sentence type II

5 2.1.3 Conditional sentence type III

6 2.1.4 Mixed conditional sentence type II and III

6

2.2 Chapter 2: Inversions in Conditional Sentences

6

2.3 Chapter 3: The other ways of expression in conditional sentences

7

2.4 Chapter 4: some types of exercise used in Conditional Sentences

8

3.Result after applying the research

11

4 Conclusion

12

5 Exercise

13

References

18

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Rationale

Our society is more and more developing and the process of integration and globalization are taking place more and more quickly This requires that we have the same language to communicate and work together It is English that is the most widely used language in the world It has been used in all spheres such

as external activities, world trade, and science… Mastering English is advantageous and even compulsory for all of us today It is therefore necessary

to learn English language To be proficient in English, moreover, the important thing is to master English grammar

Conditional sentence is a very important part of English grammar Learning Modal Verbs is not very interesting In secondary curriculum

Conditional sentence or Conditional clause - If clause is systematically taught in all of grades 10,11,12.Exercises of these conditional clauses can easily found in Language Focus Parts, in structures of GCSE exam, in test of gifted students or

IELTS; TOEFL; TOEIC and so on In addition, using 3 types of conditional sentences in spoken or written English such as: letters, forms, essays or daily communication is very popular

For above-mentioned reasons, I have decided to study Conditional Sentences

In my study, I would like to clarify the use of Conditional Sentences as well as all problems involved in this clause and offer and some applications to teaching Conditional Sentences

1.2 Aims and objectives of the study

This paper sets the aims and objectives as follow:

- Bring an insight into English Conditional Sentences

- Give English students or teachers’ deep understanding of Conditional Sentences

- Point out some mistakes learners may make when using Conditional Sentences

- Suggest some activities for teaching- learning of Conditional Sentences to make learners understand better and more interested in learning them

1.3 The scope of the study

In this paper, because of our limited time and knowledge, I only study concept, types, characteristics, usage and function of Conditional Sentences I also mention to the inversions and variants of Conditional Sentences and suggest some exercises for upper- secondary school students

1.4 Method of the study

I use a combination of different methods

- Collecting materials: Data are taken from various reference books, which related to modal verbs Information sources are also accessed from Internet

- Analyzing and synthesizing:

Data are analyzed to choose important information about Conditional sentences After that, synthesize them

- Consulting our supervisor and other experienced teachers

1.5 Design of the study

The study consists of four parts:

1 Introduction

Information about the rationale, aims and objectives, scope, method and design

of the study are provided

2 Development

This part includes 4 chapters:

Chapter 1: Theoretical background

I mention concept, types, characteristics, usages and functions of 4 basic types

of Conditional Sentences and variants (if have)

Chapter 2: This chapter is presented with inversions of Conditional Sentences Chapter 3: The other ways of expression in conditional sentences

Chapter 4:

I would like to study some types of exercise used in Conditional Sentences and some mistakes learners may make when using them

3.Conclusion

I conclude what I have mentioned in my study paper

4 Exercises

2 DEVELOPMENT

2.1 Chapter 1: Theoretical background

2.1.1 Conditional sentence type I

2.1.1.1 Form:

Clause 1 (the simple future) + if + Clause 2 (the simple present)

If + Clause 1 (the simple present)+, + Clause 2 (the simple future)

2.1.1.2 Usage and examples:

– Describe what might happen in the present or in the future

It is possible and also very likely that the condition will be fulfilled

For example:

I will visit Ho Chi Minh City if I have time

If I have time, I will visit Ho Chi Minh City

2.1.1.3.Basic variations:

– Express objective possibility

Clause 1 (might/do +V) + if + Clause 2 (the simple present)

If + Clause 1 (the simple present) +, + Clause 2 (might/do +V)

For example: It's sunny We may get a headache if we go out without a hat

It's sunny If we go out without a hat, we may get a headache

– Express permission

Clause 1 (may/can + V) + if + Clause 2 (the simple present)

Clause 1 (the simple present) +, + Clause 2 (may/can + V)

For example: You can go home now if you finish your test

If you finish your test, you can go home now

– Express request, proposal

Clause 1 (must/should + V) + if + Clause 2 (the simple present)

If + Clause 1 (the simple present) +, + Clause 2 (must/should + V)

For example: You must do the exercises if you want to get good marks

If you want to get good marks, you must do the exercises

2.1.2 Conditional sentence type II

2.1.2.1 Form:

Clause 1 (would + V) + if + Clause 2 (the simple past tense)

If + Clause 1 (the simple past tense) +, + Clause 2 (would + V)

2.1.2.2 Usage and examples:

– Describe what is unreal in the present

It is possible but very unlikely, that the condition will be fulfilled

For examples:

If it were cold now, we wouldn't turn on the fans

We wouldn't turn on the fans, if it were cold now

(But it is hot and we have to turn on the fans.)

He would fly if he were a bird

If he were a bird, he would fly.

(But he isn't a bird and he can’t fly at all.)

Note: According to traditional grammar we use “were” in all types of subject

Nowadays “was” is also used with he, she, it, I, and singular subjects

2.1.2.3.Basic variations:

– Express possibility

Clause 1 (might/ could + V) + if + Clause 2 (the simple past tense)

If + Clause 1 (the simple past tense) +, + Clause 2 (might/ could + V)

For example:

- He might succeed in his job if he tried

If he tried, he might succeed in his job

- My father could speak Spanish well if he lived in Spain

If my father lived in Spain, he could speak Spanish well

2.1.3 Conditional sentence type III

2.1.3.1.Form:

Clause 1 (would have + Past part ) + if + Clause 2 (the past perfect)

If + Clause 1 (the past perfect) +, + Clause 2 (would have + Past part )

2.1.3.2.Usage and examples:

– Describe what was unreal in the past

It is impossible that the condition will be fulfilled because it refers to the past.

For example:

a Miss Phuong wouldn't have won the first prize if she hadn't attended the beauty contest

If Miss Phuong hadn't attended the beauty contest, she wouldn't have won the first prize

(But the fact that she attended and she won the first prize.)

b We would have got good marks if we had prepared our last lessons carefully

If we had prepared our last lessons carefully, we would have got good marks

(But the fact that we didn’t prepare our last lessons carefully and we didn’t get good marks at all.)

2.1.3.3.Basic variations:

– Express subjectivity, permission

Clause 1 (could have + Past part ) + if + Clause 2 (had + Past part )

If + Clause 1 (had + Past part ) +, + Clause 2 (could have + Past part )

For examples:

- I could have won a prize if I had taken part in the competition last week

If I had taken part in the competition last week, I could have won a prize

- You could have gone to the cinema if you had finished your homework last night

If you had finished your homework last night, you could have gone to the cinema

- Express objective possibility

Clause 1 (might have + Past part ) + if + Clause 2 (had + Past part )

If + Clause 1 (had + Past part ) +, + Clause 2 ( might have + Past part )

For examples:

The last crop might have been better if it had rained much

If it had rained much, the last crop might have been better

2.1.4 Mixed conditional sentence type II and III

2.1.4.1 Form:

Clause 1 (would + V) + if + Clause 2 (had + Past part )

If + Clause 1 (had + Past part ) +, + Clause 2 (would + V)

2.1.4.2 Usage and examples

- Describe a condition which was unreal in the past and a result which is unreal in the present

For examples:

- If I had not stayed up late last night, I would not feel sleepy now

I would not feel sleepy now If I had not stayed up late last night

(The fact that I stayed up late last night , so I feel sleepy now.)

- If I had followed your advice, I would have a job now

I would have a job now if I had followed your advice

(The fact that I didn’t follow your advice, so I don’t have a job now.)

2.2 Chapter 2: Inversions in Conditional Sentences

2.2.1 Conditional sentence type I

- Place “should” at the beginning of the sentence if it contains “should”

EX:

If he should ring, I will tell him the news

→ Should he ring, I will tell him the news

- Borrow “should” to place at the beginning of the sentence if it doesn’t contain

“should”

EX:

If I have a lot of free time, I'll play tennis

→ Should I have a lot of free time, I'll play tennis

EX:

If she comes early, we'll start

→ Should she come early, we'll start

2.2.2 Conditional sentence type II

- Place “were” at the beginning of the sentence if it contains “were”

EX:

If I were a bird, I would fly

→ Were I a bird, I would fly

EX:

They would answer me if they were here.

→ Were they here, they would answer me

- Borrow “were” to place at the beginning of the sentence and change the form

of verb into “to infinitive” if it doesn’t contain “were”

EX:

If I learnt Japan, I would read Japanese books

→ Were I to learn Japan, I would read Japanese books

EX:

If they lived in Australia now, they would visit the Opera House

→ Were they to live in Australia now, they would visit the Opera House

2.2.3 Conditional sentence type III

- Place “had” at the beginning of the sentence

EX:

If it had rained yesterday, we would have stayed at home

→ Had it rained yesterday, we would have stayed at home

EX:

If he had trained hard, he would have won the match

→ Had he trained hard, he would have won the match

Note: In the negative form, “not” is placed after subject

EX:

Had it not been so late, we would have called you

2.3 Chapter 3: Other ways of expressions in Conditional Sentences

2.3.1 Unless

- When conditional clause expresses negative meaning, we can replace it by a clause beginning with “unless”

Unless = If not

For example:

+ I won't go out if I don't have a raincoat.

→ I won't go out unless I have a raincoat.

+ If I am not free, I won't go to the match.

→ Unless I am free, I won't go to the match.

2.3.2 Suppose/Supposing

For example:

+ Suppose the news is true.

+ Supposing it rains, what will you do ?

2.3.3 Provided (that)/ Providing (that)

For example:

+ I’ll accept your invitation provided you go with me.

2.3.4 Assuming

For example:

+ Assuming we have good weather, we shall be there by dusk.

2.3.5 Without

For example:

+ Without his books, he would know nothing.

2.3.6 On condition that

For example:

+ I shall go on condition that you go with me.

2.3.7 But for = “ If it were not for / If it hadn’t been for”:

For example:

+ My father pays my fee But for that I wouldn’t be here.

2.3.8 Otherwise = Or = “ If this doesn’t happen / didn’t happen / hadn’t happened”

For example:

+ We must be back before midnight; otherwise we’ll be locked out.

= We must be back before midnight or we’ll be locked out.

= If we are not back by midnight we’ll be locked out.

2.4 Chapter 4: some types of exercise used in Conditional Sentences and some mistakes learners may make when using them

2.4.1 Verb form

- In order to do exercises in this form, we have to base on one clause (if- clause

or main clause ) which contains the correct form of verb

EX:

If I had a lot of money, I (buy) a new car

→ would buy (we can see that If- clause contains “had” It means that this sentence belongs to conditional sentence type 2, so the answer is “would buy”)

- However, the sentences where the correct forms of verbs in both clauses are required, we need to consider whether the real situations are in the present or in the past to use appropriate conditional sentences

EX:

If I (not stay) up late last night, I (not feel) sleepy now

→hadn’t stayed/wouldn’t sleep (We can see that If- clause contains adverb “last night” which is in the past and main -clause contains adverb “now” which is in

the present It appears that this sentence belongs to mixed conditional sentence,

so the correct answers are “hadn’t stayed/wouldn’t sleep”

2.4.2 Sentence transformation

2.4.2.1 But for/without + noun + conditional sentences type II, III:

- We can use “ If it weren’t for + noun” instead of “ but for/without” in

conditional sentence type 2 and “ If it hadn’t been for + noun” instead of “ but for/without” in conditional sentence type 3

EX1:

You help me every day so I can finish my work

→ But for/without your daily help, I couldn't finish my work

→ If it weren't for your daily help, I couldn't finish my work

EX 2:

She encouraged him and he succeeded

→ But for/without her encouragement, he wouldn’t have succeeded

EX 3:

The teacher explained and we understood the matter

→ But for/without the teacher's explanation, we wouldn't have understood the matter

2.4.2.2 Rewriting sentences from “ Or, otherwise” sentences using “ if “

The structure of this form is:

“ command form + or/ otherwise + S will+ bare infinitive”

We transfer sentences by writing:

“ If you don’t + bare infinitive, S will+ bare infinitive” (omit “or/otherwise”)

EX:

Hurry up, or you will be late

→ If you don't hurry, you will be late

2.3 If … not…= Unless

- In case “if-clause” is in negative form, change it into affirmative form

- In case “ if -clause” is in affirmative form, change “ main-clause” into contrary form

EX:

- I won't visit you if I don't have time

→ Unless I have time, I won’t visit you

- We'll go swimming if the weather is fine

→ Unless the weather is fine, we won't go swimming

- If you don't attend the lecture, you can't say you understand it

→ Unless you attend the lecture, you can't say you understand it

Note: “unless” clauses mustn’t use negative forms.

Ex: I will go out tonight unless I don’t have so much work to do

(FALSE)