C2Self-study or with a tutor

Conditionals Beyond Timelines: Relevance and Implied Meaning

By the end: I can distinguish conditions on events from conditions on the relevance, politeness or usefulness of saying something.

Created by Denis M., British English teacher.

I’m studying:

Try the activities, then check your answers.

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Before you start

Compare If you press this button, the light comes on with If you need one, there’s a spare notebook. Does needing it cause the notebook to exist?

Useful background: Zero/first/second conditionals; C1 will/would in if-clauses; pragmatic relevance.

Some conditions concern events

An ordinary event conditional links situations: one circumstance is associated with another outcome in the described system or plan. Even here, causal strength depends on context rather than the word if alone.

If the room is unavailable, we will use the studio.

If the file arrives before noon, I will review it today.

The woman presses a real button on a small desk lamp which lights up, while the man watches the direct cause and result. No graphic arrows or extra equipment, just lamp and button. — If you press this button, the light comes on.The condition concerns events in the described system.

Some conditions concern the relevance of information

In a relevance conditional, the main proposition can hold independently of the if-clause. The condition explains why the speaker mentions it now. The spare notebook can exist whether or not the listener needs one.

If you need one, there’s a spare notebook in the drawer.

If you’re looking for Noor, she’s in the studio.

An offer can make an existing fact useful

Existing fact: I kept a copyIf it is any help: relevance to youPossible use: consult the earlier version

What remains unconfirmedThe earlier diagram is saved. Sending it is not established.

A relevance condition does not add a delivery event.

If it is any help, I kept a copy of the earlier version offers information. The condition frames its usefulness; it does not make keeping the copy conditional or prove that the listener has received it.

Some conditions frame a conversational action

An if-clause can politely frame a suggestion, correction or comment rather than state a physical prerequisite for its truth. Interpret the actual speech act, and do not turn a courteous frame into a literal event dependency.

If I may add one point, the two dates refer to different events.

If it’s any help, I kept a copy of the earlier version.

The woman offers the man a spare notebook which already lies on a narrow shelf. He considers whether he needs it. The notebook exists before the decision, with a friendly helpful expression and no implication that need creates it. — If you need one, there’s a spare notebook.The spare can exist whether or not the listener needs it.

Guided practice

Say or write your answer first. Compare the meaning and form; the model is one possible answer.

1. Classify If the file arrives before noon, I will review it today and explain the linked situations.