Khóa luận A stuy on english food-Related idioms and proverbs and equivalents in vietnamese - Le Thi Yen

Nội dung text: Khóa luận A stuy on english food-Related idioms and proverbs and equivalents in vietnamese - Le Thi Yen

1. BỘ GIÁO DỤC VÀ ĐÀO TẠO TRƯỜNG ĐẠI HỌC DÂN LẬP HẢI PHÒNG ISO 9001 : 2008 KHÓA LUẬN TỐT NGHIỆP NGÀNH NGOẠI NGỮ HẢI PHÒNG - 2010
2. HAIPHONG PRIVATE UNIVESITY FOREIGN LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT ISO 9001 : 2008 GRADUATION PAFER THE STUDY ON CONDITIONAL SENTENCES IN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE By: Le Thi Yen Class: NA1004 Supervisor: Nguyen Thi Thu Huong HAI PHONG - 2010 1
3. BỘ GIÁO DỤC VÀ ĐÀO TẠO TRƯỜNG ĐẠI HỌC DÂN LẬP HẢI PHÒNG Nhiệm vụ đề tài tốt nghiệp Sinh viên: Mãsố: Lớp: Ngành: Tên đề tài: 2
4. Nhiệm vụ đề tài 1. Nội dung và các yêu cầu cần giải quyết trong nhiệm vụ đề tài tốt nghiệp (về lý luận, thực tiễn, các số liệu cần tính toán và các bản vẽ). 2. Các số liệu cần thiết để thiết kế, tính toán. 3. Địa điểm thực tập tốt nghiệp. 3
5. CÁN BỘ HƯỚNG DẪN ĐỀ TÀI Người hướng dẫn thứ nhất: Họ và tên: Học hàm, học vị: Cơ quan công tác: Nội dung hướng dẫn: Người hướng dẫn thứ hai: Họ và tên: Học hàm, học vị: Cơ quan công tác: Nội dung hướng dẫn: Đề tài tốt nghiệp được giao ngày 12 tháng 04 năm 2010 Yêu cầu phải hoàn thành xong trước ngày 10 tháng 07 năm 2010 Đã nhận nhiệm vụ ĐTTN Đã giao nhiệm vụ ĐTTN Sinh viên Người hướng dẫn Hải Phòng, ngày tháng năm 2010 HIỆU TRƯỞNG GS.TS.NGƯT Trần Hữu Nghị 4
6. PHẦN NHẬN XÉT TÓM TẮT CỦA CÁN BỘ HƯỚNG DẪN 1. Tinh thần thái độ của sinh viên trong quá trình làm đề tài tốt nghiệp: 2. Đánh giá chất lượng của khóa luận (so với nội dung yêu cầu đã đề ra trong nhiệm vụ Đ.T. T.N trên các mặt lý luận, thực tiễn, tính toán số liệu ): 3. Cho điểm của cán bộ hướng dẫn (ghi bằng cả số và chữ): Hải Phòng, ngày tháng năm 2010 Cán bộ hướng dẫn (họ tên và chữ ký) 5
7. NHẬN XÉT ĐÁNH GIÁ CỦA NGƯỜI CHẤM PHẢN BIỆN ĐỀ TÀI TỐT NGHIỆP 1. Đánh giá chất lượng đề tài tốt nghiệp về các mặt thu thập và phân tích tài liệu, số liệu ban đầu, giá trị lí luận và thực tiễn của đề tài. 2. Cho điểm của người chấm phản biện : (Điểm ghi bằng số và chữ) Ngày tháng năm 2010 Người chấm phản biện 6
8. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First and foremost, my deepest thanks are due to my supervisor Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Huong for her invaluable advice, generous assistance and continual encouragement in completion of this study. I would like to express my thankfulness to all of the teachers of Foreign Languages Department - Hai Phong Private University for their help, concern and support during the time I am studying. I would also like to send my thanks to all my classmates of NA1004 for these good ideas and helpful assistance. Last but not least, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to my family members who have constantly supported, inspired and encouraged me to complete the graduation paper. Hai Phong, june 2010 Le Thi Yen 7
9. TABLE OF CONTENT Acknowledgements PART I: INTRODUCTION 1. Rationales 2. Aims of the study 3. Scope of the study 4. Method of the study 5. Design of the study PART II: DEVELOPMENT CHAPTER I: THEORETICAL BACKGROUND 1.1. Definition of English sentence 1.2. Types of English sentence 1.2.1: Simple sentence 1.2.2: Compound sentence 1.2.3: complex sentence 1.2.4: Compound-complex sentence 1.3. Mood 1.3.1. Concept of Mood 1.3.2. Types of Mood 1.3.2.1. Indicative Mood 1.3.2.2. Imperative Mood 1.3.2.3. Subjunctive Mood CHAPTER II: CONDITIONAL SENTENCE IN ENGLISH 2.1. Definition of English conditional sentence 8
10. 2.2. A semantic Overview of Conditional Sentences 2.2.1. Factual Conditional Sentences 2.2.2. Future(or predictive) Conditional Sentences 2.2.3. Hypothetical Conditional Sentences 2.3. A syntactic Analysis of Conditional Sentences 2.3.2. Subordinating Conjunctions in Conditional Sentences 2.3.3. Subject/ auxiliary Inversion in Conditionals 2.3.4. Conditional Clause Pro-form 2.3.5. Ordering of Clauses in Conditional Sentences 2.4. Classification of Conditional Sentences 2.4.2. Types 1-Real Conditional Sentences or Open Conditional Sentence 2.4.2.1. General Present 2.4.2.2. General Past 2.4.2.3. Future 2.4.3. Types 2-Unreal Conditional Sentences or Hypothetical Condition 2.4.3.1. Hypothetical Conditional referring to the Present or Future Time 2.4.2.1.1. Hypothetical Conditional referring to Future Time 2.4.2.1.2. Hypothetical Conditional referring to Present Time 2.4.3.2. Hypothetical Conditional referring to Past Time 2.4.3.2.1. Unfulfilled Past Condition 2.4.3.2.2. Unknown Past Condition 2.5. Related Forms 9
11. CHAPTER III: THE CONDITIONAL SENTENCES IN ENGLISH THROUGH CONTRASTIVE ANALYSIS WITH VIETNEMESE 3.1. The Vietnamese conditional sentences 3.2. The comparison between English and Vietnamese Conditional Sentences 3.2.1. The similarities between English and Vietnamese conditional sentences 3.2.2. The differences between English and Vietnamese conditional sentences CHAPTER IV: COMMON MISTAKES MADE BY VIETNEMESE LEARNERS IN USING ENGLISH CONDITIONAL SENTENCES AND SUGGESTED SOLUTIONS 4.1. Common mistakes made by Vietnamese learners 4.2. Suggested solutions PART III: CONCLUSION REFERENCES APPENDIX 10
12. PART I: INTRODUCTION 1. Rationales Nowadays, English has been spoken all over the world as an international language. No one can deny that English plays an important role in social life. It is widely used in every field of life such as science, technology, foreign trade, tourism, business, education and so on. In Vietnam, it is now a great demand to learn English for the process of integrating into regional and international economic and diplomatic development. Moreover, English enables us to communicate with people from different countries and understand more about their tradition and culture. However, it is not easy to learn English as the second language for Vietnamese because there are a lot of differences between two languages and grammar is the typical problem for this. In term of English grammar, from my point of view, English conditional Sentence is the most difficult problem for Vietnamese, there are some reasons: - Conditional Sentences in English consists of two clauses and the structures of each clause are very complicated. - There are a lot conditional sentences which make both English and Vietnamese easily confuse in using. - Great differences appear between English and Vietnamese conditional sentences. For all their reasons above, I have chosen “The study on Conditional Sentences in English and Vietnamese”. For my study, with the hope that it will be the useful references for both teachers of English and learners especially Vietnamese learners. 2. Aims of study The study on conditional sentences in English and Vietnamese aims at: * Giving the definition of English conditional sentences and its semantic, syntactic functions (its structures and uses) 11
13. * Describing and clarifying different types of English conditional sentences. * Identifying common mistakes made by Vietnamese learners * Suggesting solutions to overcome these mistakes 3. Scope of the study Firstly, conditionals in English are very complicated problem so presenting a full theory and description of it is impossible for me. Therefore, my graduation paper will focus mainly on describing and analyzing the most common structures and uses of natural language conditional sentences. Secondly, more attention will be paid to the theory, description and classification of English conditional sentences than to Vietnamese conditional sentences which make my graduation paper more helpful and more practical for the learner of English Lastly, because of the limitation of time, making a through and detailed comparison between English and Vietnamese conditional sentence, I shall only bring out the most striking differences between the two languages to help those interested to avoid possible deplorable mistakes in using this particular kind of sentence structure. 4. Method of the study My strategies for completion of the graduation paper include: - With references collected from different sources inside and outside university, I review the documents relating to English and Vietnamese conditional sentences - To complete this study, I collect materials, references to analyze and find out the similarities and differences of the conditional sentences between the two languages. - Analyze the students‟ problems in using English conditional sentences based 4 years being a student at HPU. Therefore, I give suggested solutions. 12
14. 5. Design of the study This study consists of three main parts: Part one is the introduction giving out the reasons for choosing the topic of this graduation paper, pointing out the aims, the methods and the design of the study. Part two consists of 4 chapters: Chapter 1 gives the theoretical back ground, presents the definition, structures and types of English conditional sentence. Chapter 2: Clarifies the definition of English conditional sentences and analyses its semantic and syntactic functions, then, clarifies the types including real and unreal conditional sentences. Chapter 3 refers to the conditional sentences in English through contrastive analysis with Vietnamese. Chapter 4 provides common mistake made by Vietnamese learners when using conditional sentences and suggests some helpful solutions. Part three is the conclusion presenting the review of the study and the references will put the end of the graduation paper. 13
15. PART II: DEVELOPMENT CHAPTER I: THEORETICAL BACKGROUND 1.1. Definition of English sentence We have used sentences all our life to communicate our ideas in writing or in speech. However, we may not have paid close attention to how sentences are correctly and effectively written. There are different ways to define a sentence but we would prefer a traditional grammar-based definition. There are many authors giving different definitions about English sentence. According to English-Vietnamese dictionary published in 1999 of Da Nang publisher, a sentence is defined as “a series of words making a single complete statement.” For example: He is a doctor. This example is considered a sentence because of two reasons. Firstly, it is a complete statement “he (a person that both the speaker and the hearer already know) has a job of a doctor, which is expressed by using to be “is”. By this way, the new information “being a doctor” - a complete statement - is transferred. Secondly, “ he is a doctor” is the combination of a series of words “he, is, a, doctor”. However, the definition is not totally true because it does not give the ways to combine words to make a sentence. Moreover, “single complete statement” is only phrase used for simple sentence, not for other kinds of sentences. It should be “a complete thought”. Another idea of sentence structure comes from Alice Oshima & Ann Hogue. They stated: “The subject is the word or words that name the person, thing, or place that a sentence is about. It is usually a noun or pronoun.” 14
16. “The predicate makes a statement about the subject. It consists of a verb and its modifiers or complements. The verb is the most important point of the predicate-it express action or a state of being.” (OSHIMA, A& HOGUE, A; 2003, writing Academic English; 121) Normally, the subject of the sentence, in a word order of a statement, stands before its verb predicate. However, the order of the sentence can vary according to the types of sentence (statement, question, request, etc.). Moreover, sentence structure, in concentrating on the elements (subject, verb, direct object, indirect object, adverb, subject complement, object complement) which are used form a sentence. Then a more practical definition of sentence was given: “A sentence is a word or group of words standing between an initial capital letter and a mark of end punctuation or between two marks of end punctuation”. However students still find it difficult to put right punctuation in the writing because they marked with capital letters at the beginning and full stops at the end are “sentences in that they do not contain a thought. Once again, this definition does not help us to understand what a sentence is. From these definitions above, many authors have reviewed the former definitions and attempted to state the essential features of the sentence. Quirk (1971): “A sentence is a group of words containing a subject and a finite verb (other parts if necessary) expressing a statement, a question, an explanation or a command.” John Ries (1931): “ A sentence is a grammatically constructed smallest unit of speech which expresses its content with respect to this content‟s relation to reality”. In short, all these definition have not given us a satisfactorily acceptable or workable set of criteria to make a complete definition. Anyway, they can help each of us have a general idea of what a sentence is. 15
17. 1.2. Types of English sentence: There are basically four kinds of sentence in English consisting of simple sentence, compound sentence, complex sentence and compound- complex sentence 1.2.1. Simple sentence A simple sentence is the one that consist of one independent clause. According to Quirk (1976), sentence can be classified into 7 types: SV: The child laughed. SVA: Mary is in the house. SVC: Mary is a nurse. SVO: Somebody caught the ball. SVOA: I put the plate on the table. SVOC: We have proved him a fool. SVOO: She gives me expensive present 1.2.2 Compound sentence Most of textbooks (ESL, EFL ) gave a definition about compound sentence as follows: A compound sentence contains at least two independent clauses, often joined by a coordinating conjunction. The coordinating conjunctions are as follows: but, and, nor, either, so, not only, but also Except for very short sentences, coordinating conjunctions are always preceded by a comma. A. I tried to speak Spanish, and my friend tried to speak English. B. I played badminton, so you went shopping. C. I played badminton, for Thuy went shopping. The above three sentences are compound sentences. Each sentence contains two independent clauses, and they are joined by a coordinator with a comma preceding it. 16
18. 1.2.3. Complex Sentence Complex sentence which contains more than one clauses of which one is the main clause, the others are subordinate clauses being part of the main clause. The subordinate clauses and main clause are jointed together by subordinating conjunctions. The main clause is a clause which has a meaningful unit by a independent clause but it also needs one or more subordinate clause complementing for it. The subordinate clause (dependent clause) is a clause which has to depend on the main clause. -There are many subordinate clauses: +Subordinate clause has a function as a noun (noun clause). I don‟t know / when she will come. Main clause noun clause +subordinate clause has a function as a adjective (adjective clause). This is the magazine / which you ordered. Main clause adjective clause +subordinate clause has a function as adverb (adverbial clause) Adverbial clause show when, where, how, why the action in the main clause occurring. So, adverbial clause is named basing on function of it: -Adverbial clause of time shows when the action in the main clause occurring. Shut the door / when you leave. Adverbial clause of time -Adverbial clause of reason shows why the action in the main clause occurring. He couldn‟t joint the trip / because he was rich. Adverbial clause of reason -Adverbial clause of condition shows how the action in the main clause occurring. The sun‟s activities were not so steady / life on the earth would soon cease. Adverbial of condition 17
19. 1.2.4 Compound-complex sentence The compound-complex sentence seems to be a complicate sentence in English grammar. As Oshima and Hogue in “writing academic English” published in 2003 wrote: A compound-complex sentence is the combination of two or more independent clauses and once and more dependent clause. Example for: I will come and I will bring some of my friends / if they have a day off. Compound sentence adverbial clause of condition Therefore, the conditional sentence is one kind of complex sentence because it contains a main clause and subordinate clause (if clause) joined together by subordinating conjunctions such as if, unless 1.3 MOOD 1.3.1. Concept of Mood Some authors have mentioned the concept of mood in their book. According to E.M.Gordon and I.P.Krylova: “Mood is the form of the which shows the relation between the action expressed by the predicate verb and reality”. This relation is establish by the speaker may wish to present an action as a real fact or as command (a request) or as something unreal, something that does not exist in reality”. V. Vinogradov also expressed the same idea in another way: “Mood expresses the relation of the action to reality as stated by the speaker”. Or we can the definition of mood in some dictionaries. For example: The Webster‟s New world dictionary, Elementary Edition defines mood as: “the form of the verb that shows whether it is expressing a fact (indicative mood), a wish or possibility (subjunctive mood), or a command (imperative mood)., 18
20. 1.3.2. Types of Mood There have been a lot of opinions about the difficult types of mood but the most common view is that in modern English there are three moods: Indicative , Imperative mood and subjunctive mood. 1.3.2.1. Indicative Mood According to llyish (1971), the use of the Indicative Mood shows that the speakers (or writers) present the action or real. Most of what we have said is in the indicative mood, most of what anyone says or writes is in the indicative mood. So, this is the most common mood used in any language. We can use indicative mood to give information ( E.g. I like reading poetry, we had dinner at six ), to express opinions (E.g. I think she is a good student, ) to make promises ( E.g. I shall do every thing I can help you, ) However, some doubt about meaning of the indicative may arise if we take into account its use in conditional sentences. For instance, in the sentence “I will help him if he asks me”, it may be argued that the action denoted by the verb in the indicative is not represented as a fact but merely as a possibility but this does not affect the meaning of the grammatical form as such. It is clear that the condition and the consequence are both real because the verb forms convey such meaning. Therefore, in indicative mood the predication need not necessarily be true but the most important thing is that the speaker represents it as being so. 1.3.2.2. Imperative Mood The imperative Mood is the plain stem of the verb. It may be used in the affirmative (E.g. Sit down!) and in the negative form (E.g. Don‟t go out!, Don‟t be a fool!) If we want to make a command or request more expressive, we use the emphatic form (E.g. Do listen to him! Do be quiet! ) We have the following different kinds of command: - Command without a subject (E.g. Open the door!) 19
21. - Command with a subject ( E.g. You don‟t worry! Or somebody clean the board!) - Command with “let” (E.g. Let me take your coat! Or let‟s go outside!) Thus, in English, the imperative verb is severely restricted in tense, aspect, voice and modality. 1.3.2.3. Subjunctive Mood In contract to Indicative mood, the Subjunctive usually refers to non- factual or hypothetical situation There are two types of subjective- the present Subjunctive and the past subjunctive. a. The present Subjunctive: The present subjunctive of all verbs is identical with the simple present tense indicative, except that the third person singular form is the same as in all other persons (i.e. without the “s” ending). The present Subjunctive form of “to be” is “be” for all persons. + Mandative subjuctive: E.g. My father suggested that my cousin stay with us. My only concern is that you be here. The mandative Subjunctive is productive. It can be used with any verb in subordinate that- clause when the main clause contains an express of recommendation, resolution, demand, surprise and so on( E.g. We demand, require, suggest, ask, etc that ). The use of this subjunctive occurs chiefly in formal style. + The Formulaic Subjunctive: E.g. God save the Queen! Come what may, we will go ahead. This subjunctive is used mainly in case of supposition or in certain set expression which have to be leant as wholes. b. The past Subjunctive: 20
22. The past subjunctive in English consist of the past subjunctive which is identical with the simple past tense indicative, except that the verb “to be” has “were” for all persons and the past perfect subjunctive which is identical in form with the past perfect indicative. The past subjunctive is used in conditional clauses implying a negative, or in clause in which the condition is combined with improbability or unreality. E.g. If I were you I should accept the offer. If I had worked harder, I wouldn‟t have failed the exam. Beside, the past subjunctive is also used after such expressions as: - I wish that (E.g. I wish he visited us more often) - Suppose that (E.g. Suppose (that) the teacher caught us wasting time) - I had rather that (E.g. I had rather that you told him that I did) - As if (E.g. He talked to me as if he knew everything) - It is (high) time that (E.g. It is high time we went home) 21
23. CHAPTER II: CONDITIONAL SENTENCE IN ENGLISH 2.1. Definition of English conditional sentence In terms of definition of English conditional sentence, most authors simply give their discussions of the conditional sentences by analyzing their nature and uses and other possible variations. According to A.J. Thomson and A.V. Martinet in “a practical English grammar”(1986) and Raymond Murphy C.E. Eckersley and J.M. Eckersley in “comprehensive English grammar for student” (1961) only refer to conditional sentence by analyzing structures, usages, variations. Very few of them give clear-cut definition of conditional sentences. With Randolph Quirk in “university grammar of English” (1972) suggested an idea, I think, can be considered the core of a definition about conditional sentence: “Conditional clauses state the dependence of one circumstance or set of circumstances on another”. Collin Cobuilt (1990) in “English grammar” also pointed out: “Sentences containing conditional clauses are sometimes called conditional sentences” and as for him conditional clauses begin with “if” or with conjunctions having similar meaning like “unless”. From the definition above we can define Conditional Sentence as “one kind of complex sentence of at least two main clauses “the main clause (result clause) and “subordinate clause (if clause)”used to expresses the dependence of one circumstance or set of circumstances on another and in most of cases two clause orderings are acceptable. In others words the if- clause sets up the condition for the main clause to produce the result or out come. 2.2. A Semantic overview of conditional sentences English conditional sentences express three kinds of sentence about semantic relationship: factual conditional relationships, future (predictive) conditional relationships, hypothetical conditional relationships. 22
24. 2.2.1. Factual Conditional Sentences: Factual conditional sentences often appear in everyday English language and ESL/ EFL textbooks. It consists of 4 kinds: Generic, habitual, implicit inference, explicit inference. a. Generic Factual Conditionals: General factual conditional express relationships that is true and unchanging: E.g If oil is mixed with water, it floats. If you boil water, it vaporizes. Due to the unchanging truth value, the simple present tense is normally used in both clauses. Especially, they often appear in scientific writing because the sciences are often concerned with such absolute relationships. b. Habitual Factual Conditionals Habitual factual conditionals express either their past or present relationships that are typically or habitually true: There is a common point between generic factual and habitual: both express a relationship that is not bounded in time. E.g. Present: If I wash the dishes, Sally dries them. Past: If Nancy said, „Jump!‟ Bob jumped. Habitual factual conditionals are frequent in conversation and usually both clauses have the same tense: simple present in both clauses if habitual relationship refers to extended present time; simple past in both clause if the sentence refers to a past habit. „If‟ is possible substituted by „when‟ or „whenever‟ in both generic and habitual conditionals and still express more and less the same idea: When (ever) you boil water, it vaporizes. When (ever) I wash the dishes, Sally dries them. c. Implicit Inference Factual Conditionals Implicit inference factual conditionals are different from generic and habitual factual in that they express inferences about specific time-bound 23
25. relationships. As such, they make use of a much, a wider range of tense and aspect markers and they also occur with certain modal auxiliaries: E.g. .If it is raining out there, my motorbike is getting wet. If there was any happy man in the world that night, it was John Turney. If you‟ll bring some wine, I‟ll bring some beer and potato chips. and These kinds of conditional sentence is common in conversation and like generic habitual factual, implicit reference factual also tend to use the same tense and aspect or the same modal in both clauses but they make use of a much range of tense and auxiliary verbs. However implicit inference factual differ from the other two types in that “when” or “whenever can not substitute for “if” without changing the meaning and often make the sentence ungrammatical. d. Explicit Inference Conditional In this type, there is no strict parallelism of tense, aspect, or modal in both clauses. Because the condition is used as the basis for making an explicit inference: E.g. If someone‟s at the door, it must be Peter. If someone has the answer, it should be Rod. Explicit conditionals resemble implicit conditionals in that both refer to specific time-bound events or states are the “if-clause”. Both of these conditional involve making inference factual overtly marks the inference process with an inferential modal. E.g. Implicit inference: If it is raining out there, my car is getting wet. Explicit inference: If it is raining out there, my car must be getting wet. Because explicit inference conditionals can not occur with the same variety of tense and modal combinations as implicit inferences do so they are more limited in range. Explicit inference conditionals, like implicit inference conditionals, can refer to past as well as present time. E.g. Past implicit inference: If he was there, he saw the painting. Past explicit inference: If he was there, he must have seen the painting. 24
26. 2.2.2. Future (or Predictive) Conditional Sentences: Future conditional sentences express future plans or contingencies. E.g. If I win the prize, I will share it with you. Usually, in this type of conditional sentence, simple present is used in the if clause and some explicit indication or future time (“will” or “be going to”) is used in the result clause. E.g. If you finish your vegetables, I am going to buy you an ice cream cone. If it rains, I will stay at home. But sometimes the future outcome expressed in the result clause is not sufficiently certain to warrant use of “will” or “to be going to”. Therefore, in this case a weaker modal of prediction such as “may” or “should” can be used. If John hopes to borrow the car, he may be disappointed. If it rains, the reception should take place indoor. The predictive range can use with result clause I future conditional sentences. Will / be going to certain (strong result) Should Probable May Possible (stronger) Might Possible (weak) We also can weaken the condition expressed in the if-clause of this kind of conditional sentences by using the modal “should” or the verb “happen” in both of them together. 2.2.3. Hypothetical Conditional Sentences: Hypothetical conditional sentence is the most problematic of the 3 types. There following are some of linguistics who have mentioned this in these books. + Randolph Quirk: “A hypothetical condition, on the other hand coveys the expectation that the conditional will not be fulfilled”. 25
27. + Marianne Celce Murcia and Diane Lesen- Freeman: “A hypothetical conditionals express unlikely yet possible events or states in the “if-clause” E.g. If you listened to me, you wouldn‟t make mistakes. If we hadn‟t lost our way, we would have arrived sooner. In the past, the hypothetical meaning is more absolute than in the present, the sentence is “contrary to fact” or in some books this kind of conditional sentence is called “counterfactual conditionals” (i.e. they express impossible events or states in the “if-clause”). Hypothetical meaning in the past time is indicated by “had” plus the-ed participle. E.g. If she had seen the film, she would have told you. In the example, the “if-clause” is strongly negated. In fact, she didn‟t see the film. In the present, the sense is not so much “contrary to fact” as “contrary to assumption” E.g. If you really called the children, you would look after them properly ( but assume you don‟t care for them) In the future, the sense is weakened further to “contrary to expectation” E.g. If it were to snow tomorrow, the match would have to be cancelled ( but I don‟t expect it will snow) We can see that with the present and future reference, the past tense is used for hypothetical meaning in conditional clause, the corresponding main clause construction is “would/ should + infinitive” except when the past of another modal auxiliary is used: E.g. If we had enough time, we could do it better. Sometimes, the difference between using a future conditional and a hypothetical and a hypothetical conditional (with present and future reference) is a matter of speaker choice. E.g. -Future: If I have enough money, I will buy a car. -Hypothetical: If I had money, I would buy a car. 26
28. The choice shows the degree of confidence in the speaker‟s mind concerning the fulfillment of the condition: the future conditional express a greater degree of confidence that the condition is a real possibility than does the hypothetical conditional. Through the semantic overview, we can have a better understanding about different kinds of conditional sentences. However, the description is not perfect and can‟t account for every possible conditional sentence in English. The description can be summarized in the following diagram: Conditional Factual Future (predicative) Hypothetical Timeless Time bound Strong condition Degrees Future Present Past And result of weakened time time time Condition reference reference reference Generic Habitual result Implicit Explicit Inference Inference 2.3. SYNTACTIC ANALYSIS OF CONDITIONAL SENTENCES 2.3.1.Subordinating Conjunction in Conditional Sentences Conditional sentences often consist of at least two clauses: main clause and clause of condition. Finite adverbial clauses of condition are introduced chiefly by the subordinator “if”. E.g. If you do that I shall be very pleased. Sometimes in the main clauses we can have “then” at the beginning E.g. If you went to the play, then you did not do your homework. 27
29. But the use of “then” in a conditional sentence is often applied when the result clause is a deduction which has been drawn from the circumstances expressed in the “if-clause” Besides the most common conditional link “if”, we can have many others: unless, providing, provided (that), as/ so long as, on condition that, even if, supposing, whether or, if only, as if, as though, in case, otherwise, I will deal with these subordinators in detail later. 2.3.2. Subject/ Auxiliary inversion in conditionals If + subject + auxiliary can be replaced in formal English by inversion of auxiliary and subject with “if” omitted. If you had taken a taxi, you would have got here on time = had you taken a taxi, you would have got here on time. Had you know that, I wouldn‟t have done anything. (=if I had know that ) According to Quick (1972), subjunctive “was” and hypothetical or putative “should “can also undergo inversion in some what literary style: E.g. Were they alive (=if they were alive ) Should the guests arrive early, no one will here to greet them (= if the guests arrive early ) Inversion is also possible with “could” and “might” but not with “would”: E.g. Could / might I but see my child once more (= if only I could/ might see my child once more ) 2.3.3. Conditional clause pro-forms Pro-forms are used as a device for avoiding repetition and sometimes for stylistic reasons. Most of the substitutes or pro-forms within sentences are also used across sentences. They are often anaphoric, referring back to an earlier unit. As Halliday and Hasan (1976) have point out, there are certain pro- forms that can be used to replace the entire conditional clause following “if” 28
30. “not” in “if not” is a negative pro-form for the equivalent of the whole of the antecedent clause. So is the pro-form used if the clause is affirmative. Would you like to address the meeting? If so, volunteer. If not, you don‟t have to. 2.3.4. Ordering of clauses in Conditional Sentences Normally, there are 2 clauses in conditional sentences: “if” clause and the “result” clause. “If” clause occurs most frequently in initial position in the following cases: Sarcastic speech If he is intelligent, then I am Albert Einstein. If you half a brain, you would be dangerous. Tautologisms (“repetition of the same word or phrase, or of the same idea or statement in other words”- Oxford English Dictionary). If Tim is liar, then Tim is a liar. Tautologisms are more likely to be found in speech than in writing. Strong deduction: A. Linda sat up late last night. B. Well, if Linda sat up late last night, she heard the explosion. On the third context, speaker B is not making Linda‟s hearing the explosion conditional on her sitting up late last night, for her sitting late last night is stated as a fact. “If” does not mean on condition that, but on the assumption that on the understanding that given that It implies that on the basic of a stated fact a deduction is about to be mad 2.4. CLASSIFICATION OF CONDITIONAL SENTENCES In many books, conditional sentences are divided into 2 main types: Real and unreal Conditional Sentences. 2.4.1. Type 1-Real Conditional Sentence or open conditional sentences Definition There are many ways to give definition of real conditional sentences. 29
31. - Randolph Quirk (1972) “The condition leaves unresolved the question of the fulfillment or non-fulfillment of the condition and hence also the truth of the proposition expressed by the main clause”. - Sandra N. Elbaun: (1986) “Real conditions are conditions that have a possibility of occurring”. E.g. If the rain stops, I shall go for a walk. If John works hard, he will pass the exam. In these examples, we understand that it may stop raining or John may work hard. Real conditional sentences can refer to general present, general past, and future. 2.4.1.1. General present a. Base form: If + simple present + simple present E.g. If you heat ice, it melts. If it rains, you get wet b. Uses: Real conditional sentences referring to general present are used: - To express general, natural, universal or scientific laws: E.g. If you bolt water, it vaporizes. If you heat ice, it melts. - To express general truth about behavior: E.g. If it rains, I go by car. If they study, they stay in their rooms. - To express causal relationship: E.g. If you push the button, the door opens. - To express the function of a person or device. E.g. If I wash the car, it rains. If I get into the bath, the telephone rings. - To express a local necessity but used where the conclusion is true at present: 30
32. E.g. If he is standing at the bus top (now), he is waiting for his sister to come home from school. - To give general instructions or commands E.g. If he comes, tell him I am out. Pleased call me if you know where she is . - With this conditional “if” can be replaced by “when” or “whenever” often without changing the sense. E.g. Instead of saying: “If I wash the car, it rains”, we can say “Whenever I wash the car, it rains”, but the meaning is the same. - To express general or universal laws: E.g. If primitive life forms thrived, they multiplied. - To express general truth about behavior in the past: E.g. If a caveman needed a saw, he used a jaw bone. - To express causal relationships: E.g. If the trolley came off the wires, the tram stopped. - To express an ironic causal relationship between two events: E.g. If I got into the bath, the telephone rang. - To express a logical necessity: E.g. If it had short legs, it wasn‟t a grasshopper - To express a logical necessary, but used where conclusion is true at a specific time in the past. E.g. If he was standing at the bus stop on Tuesday he was waiting for his sister. c. Variation of the base from: - If + present continuous + simple present E.g. If the kettle is boiling, it whistles (always). - If + present continuous + present continuous E.g. If the bubbles is forming, the mixture is boiling. - If + present perfect + simple present E.g. If the train has left, he always walks (implies when he finds out) 31
33. - If + simple present + present perfect E.g. If the car is not in the garage, he has gone (this is a logical conclusion) - If + present perfect + present perfect E.g. If he has taken the car, he has gone fishing (this is a logical conclusion). 2.4.1.2. General past a. Base form: If + simple past + simple past E.g. If John came, he usually worked in the garden. b. Uses: The uses here are exactly as the uses in general present but where the condition is no longer met, the action no longer occurs, or the persons or thing doing the action is no longer encountered, at least by the speaker. Real conditional sentences referring to general past are used: -If + past perfect + simple perfect E.g. If the train had left, she always walked. c. Variations of a base form - If + past continuous + simple past E.g. If the kettle was boiling, it whistled. - If + simple past+ used to do/ would and a base form E.g. Whenever I had come home late, I used to/ would call my parents. 2.4.1.3. Future: a. Base form: If + simple present + simple future E.g. If it rains, I will wear a hat. b. Uses Real conditional sentences referring to future are used: -To predict what will happen if a likely future condition is fulfilled E.g. If it rains, I will get wet. - To draw logical conclusions from a likely future even. E.g. If he is late, he will miss the beginning of the film. -To batter services or favors E.g. If you will cut my hair, I will mend you TV. 32
34. - To make offers, suggestions: E.g. If you come to my house, I will give you a gift. - To explain how things work, especially for warnings E.g. If you put that button, I will blow up. - To draw logical conclusions from probable present situations/ events E.g. If he is changing his shirt, he will be late for the party. - To make contingency plans: E.g. If they are out/ have gone when we get there we will write them a note. c. Variations of the base form -If + present continuous + simple future + For actions currently in progress E.g. If you are watching television, I will come back later + For definite future plans E.g. If you are having lunch in town, I will meet you afterwards. - If + be going to + simple future + For definite future plans, in the sense of “on your way to” E.g. If you are going to see her, I will come with you. + For express likelihood (evident now future form) E.g. If it is going to rain, I will take an umbrella. + For express insistence E.g. If you are to talk like that, I will leave. - If + modal verbs + simple future + “will” for battering E.g. If you will bring the cakes, I will bring the scones. + “will” for persistence E.g. If you will eat too much, you will get fat. + “Can” for ability E.g. If I can, I will. + “Must” for obligation E.g. I will come if I must. 33
35. + “May” or “can” for permission E.g. I will have a cake if I may. I will borrow the car, if I can. - If + present perfect + simple future (for action if may be over by the future time in question) E.g. If you have left when I get there, I will catch the bus. - If + Future continuous + simple future (for actions which are predicated to be in progress at the relevant time). E.g. If you will be the working, I will catch the bus. - If + future perfect + simple future (for actions which are predicated to be over by the relevant time). E.g. If you will have left when I get there, I will catch the bus. - If + simple present +modal verbs E.g. If it rains, I can/ may/ must/ needn‟t/ daren‟t wear a hat. - If + simple present + present continuous (expressing definite future plans which is often a threat) E.g. If you do that, I am leaving. - If + simple future + be going to + Express insistence E.g. If I don‟t leave, I am going to call the police. + To express future time (“evident now” future) E.g. If he doesn‟t come in. he is going to catch a cold. - If + simple present + future continuous + For predicted action in progress as a result of future action E.g. If you come at that time, we will be eating. + For threats, warnings E.g. If he brings his friends, I will be leaving early. - If +simple present + future perfect (for action predicted to be completed by and affecting the future time) E.g. If you come on Tuesday, he will have left. 34
36. - The imperative form E.g. Give it to him, if you see him. This case should probably regard as a variation of this conditional since it clearly has a future and not a general connotation. -Request with “would”: the past modal form “would” is sometimes found in conditional requests. It is not past, It is merely more polite and still refers to future time. E.g. If he comes in, would you make him a cup of tea, please. We also have this conditional in its past form and it is used for actions in the past or in indirect speech. 2.4.2. Type II- Unreal Conditional Sentence or Hypothetical Condition Definition: Randolph Quirk (1972) “A hypothetical condition, on the other hand conveys the expectation that the condition will not be fulfilled”, Sand N.Elbaun (1986): “ A unreal condition tell about something that is not true or real. It makes a supposition”, Michael A. Pyle and Mary Ellen Munoz (1994): “The unreal conditional expresses a situation (past, present or future) that would take place or would have taken place if the circumstances expressed were or had been different now or in the past”. E.g. If today were Saturday, we could go to the beach (today is not Saturday, so we can‟t go to the beach). 2.4.2.1. Hypothetical condition referring to the future time 2.4.2.1.1. Hypothetical condition referring to the future and present time. a. Base form: If + simple + past modal E.g. If I saw a lion, I had run (prediction of future action following a very unlikely condition. b. Uses This conditional is used: -To predict the results of unlikely future conditions 35
37. E.g. I wouldn‟t recognize him if I saw him. -To mare contingency plans for unlikely future events E.g. What would you do if you lost your job. - Suggesting improvements E.g. If you hung up your trouser, they wouldn‟t get creased. c. Variations of the base form - If + past continuous + modal past E.g. If it was snowing tomorrow, I would make a snowman (but it is unlikely to be snowing) - If + was going to + modal past E.g. If he was going to walk, I would like to go with him (possible change in general plans, stress on “was”) - If + modal verb (simple past form) + modal past + “Could/ would” for polite request: E.g. If I would/ could open the door, I would be very grateful + “Should” for logical possibility, in formal English, in certain set patterns. E.g. If he should come, I would like to see him. - If + simple past + would and the continuous forms (shows the continuous nature of the predict action if the condition was fulfilled). E.g. If he missed his train, he would be waiting for hours. 2.4.2.1.2. Hypothetical condition referring to the present time a. Base form: If + Simple past + Modal past The base form here is identical to the base form of hypothetical conferring to the future time except that this form calls for the semi-subjunctive form “were” instead of “was” in the if-clause for all persons (If I were you, if you were me, if he were her, etc) E.g. He would tell you about if he were here. This base form refers to present, general or hypothetical time and to conditions which are impossible to fulfill and it can be called impossible condition. 36
38. b. Uses - To express dreams and fulfilled ambitions E.g. If I had a million pounds I would buy a yacht. - To offer suggestions or advice E.g. If I were you, I would clean them. - To express criticism E.g. If they were him, I clean them (so should you) - To imagine the results of changes in the status E.g. If he were the prime minister he would make a few changes. - To draw logical conclusions from present or past evens E.g. If he were going, he would have rung. c. Variations of base form - If + Past continuous with were + Modal past E.g. If it were snowing, we would make a snowman (but it isn‟t) - If + Was going to (for plans) + Modal past E.g. If he were going to walk, I would think he was crazy (but he has no such intention) - If + Modal verbs + Modal past (could for ability) E.g. If I could speak French, I would talk to him (but I can‟t) (this often implies regret) - If + simple past + would and the continuous form (shows what predicted action would be in progress now, If the conditions were fulfilled) E.g. If he were here, I would be wearing my uniform (but he isn‟t and I am not) - If + Simple past + would and the perfect form (impossible condition only) E.g. If he were lost, he would had rung (he can‟t possibly be lost because he hasn‟t rung) Notes: + Unlikely and possible conditions, the if clause is inverted like interrogative form, where necessary. 37
39. E.g. Were I you/ had I the money, I would go on a luxury holiday. 2.4.2.2. Hypothetical condition referring to the future time This is also divided into two: unfulfilled past condition and unknown past condition. 2.4.2.2.1. Unfulfilled past condition a. Base form If + Past + Modal perfect This form refers to past time and to conditions which were not fulfilled E.g. If I had known the secret, I would have told you (I did not know so it was impossible for me to tell you) The speaker knows that condition was not fulfilled and fulfilled and is therefore impossible. b. Uses - Tracing cause and effect in past chains of actions: E.g. If A hadn‟t happened, B wouldn‟t have happened - Expressing fate and chance E.g. If I hadn‟t missed my train, I wouldn‟t have met you (but I did, so I did) - Justifying and explaining past actions: E.g. If he hadn‟t turned it off, it would have boiled dry. - Blaming: E.g. If you hadn‟t pushed me, I would have dropped it. c. Variations of base form - If + Past perfect continuous + Past modal perfect (where the out come was caused or prevented by an action in progress) E.g. If he hadn‟t been cycling in the middle of the road, I wouldn‟t have hit him (but he was and I did) - If + modal perfect + past modal perfect E.g. If I could have been there, I would have been there (but I couldn‟t so I wasn‟t) - If + would have + past modal perfect (for past willingness) 38
40. E.g. If he wouldn‟t have done it, I would have paid him (but he wasn‟t willing) - If + should have + past modal perfect (known past obligation) E.g. If I should have done it, I would have done (but I didn‟t have to, “should have” here is for known past obligation) - If + past simple + past modal perfect (for stative verbs, especially where the state continues past the time of the action) E.g. If I had a car, I would have gone (but I haven‟t got a car and didn‟t have one then, so didn‟t go) - If + Semi-subjunctive + modal perfect (“were” can replace “had been” for states which are impossible conditions at the time of the action) E.g. If I were rich, I would have bought one (but I am not rich and never have been, so I didn‟t buy one) - If + past perfect + would and continuous + For actions resulting from or prevented by the if-clause, which would be or are in progress at the time of speaking: E.g. If you had told me, I wouldn‟t be standing here now (but I am, because you didn‟t tell me) + For actions resulting from or prevented by the if-clause, which would be or are planned at the time of speaking: E.g. If I hadn‟t won that competition, I wouldn‟t be singing on TV tonight. 2.4.2.2.2. Unknown past condition a. Base form: If + past perfect + past modal perfect This form refers to past conditions which may or may not have been fulfilled. The speaker draws conclusions about likelihood from or about those conditions. E.g. If he had known, he would have told you (I am not sure whether he knew or not or whether he told you) The speaker does not know for certain whether the “if condition” was fulfilled b. Uses 39
41. – To deduce where persons or things are E.g. If I took it, he may have left it in his pocket. - To deduce where person or things were E.g. If he took it, it may have been in that coat I took to the cleaners. - Saying “it servers you rights” E.g. If he wanted it, he should have left in lying around. c. Variation of base form - For past events whose logical results affect the time of speaking: + If + was going + past modal perfect (for past plans whose logical results have general or present significance) E.g. If he was going to walk, he wouldn‟t have taken the car keys (but the car keys are not here, so I deduce that he probably took them, and therefore did not plan to walk) + If + simple past + modal perfect (for probability or obligation) E.g. If he went to the party, he must have taken the car (I do not know if he went or if the car has gone. These are my predictions about the likelihood of that) + If + simple past + would (might,/ could,/ ) + be E.g. If he left the party at 6, he would be (might be) home by now. +If + simple past + modal continuous form E.g. If he went to bed at 11, he may be sleeping now. - For past events whose logical result affected past time: + If + past continuous + modal past perfect E.g. If he was mowing the lawn then he wouldn‟t have heard the telephone. + If + simple past + might/ could have participle (for expressing uncertainty) E.g. If he met her yesterday, he might have told her the truth (“might have told” is really a guess). We can see that classification of conditional sentences is really complicated in both structures and uses. So ESL/EFL students need a good 40
42. grasp of the English tense system as well as the modal auxiliaries before they can cope with the full range of conditional sentences in English. 2.5 RELATED FORMS 2.5.1. Hope and wish These two verbs, while they are similar in meaning, are not the same grammatically - The verb “hope” is often used to indicate something that possibly happened or will possibly happen (i.e. it is similar to future or predictive conditionals) E.g. We hope (that) they will come (we don‟t know if they are coming). We hope that they came yesterday (we don‟t know if they came) - The verb “wish” is often used to indicate something that definitely did not happen or definitely will not happen. E.g. We wish that they could come (they are not coming) We wish that they had come yesterday (they didn‟t come) So the verb “wish” is very similar to contrary to fact or unreal condition. E.g. Present unreal condition: If were rich, I would be very happy Present wish: I wish I were rich. Past unreal condition: If you had told me about that, I wouldn‟t have made the mistake. Past wish: I wish that you told me about that. 2.5.2. Whether or; whatever; whoever; whenever; no matter; who/ where/ when, etc All conditional clauses with these conjunctions are called alternative conditions E.g. She looks pretty whatever she wears. (She looks pretty even if she wears ugly clothes) Whatever they go, they help people. Here, the conjunctions whoever, whenever can be replaced by an adverbial clause “no matter wh-” E.g. She looks pretty, whatever she wears 41
43. = She looks pretty no matter what she wear. Whenever they go, they help people = No matter where they go, they help people. 2.5.3. However (late etc)/ No matter how (late etc) This subordinator is also one of conditional links: E.g. I am not going to miss the chance of seeing them however late they are. However (late etc) as a conditional links must be distinguished from the adverb “however”. Adverb “however” is always used with commas. E.g. I will help him. However, I would like him to try doing it himself first. 2.5.4. Otherwise “Otherwise” is equivalent to a negative condition E.g. He must work harder. Otherwise, he will fail the exam again. “Otherwise” here can be interpreted as “if he does not work much harder ” 2.5.5. As if/ as though There conjunctions indicate something unreal or contrary to fact, so they are similar in form to conditional sentences. The verb which follows these conjunctions is often in the past simple or past perfect - Subject + verb (present) + as if/ as though + subject + verb (past) E.g. The old lady dresses as if it were winter even in the summer (but it is not winter) - Subject + verb (past) + as if/ as though + subject + verb (past perfect) E.g. Betty talked about the contest as if she had won the grand prize (but she didn‟t take part in the competition) 2.5.6. And The conjunction “and” can indicate condition, but only in limited contexts and a condition- consequence relationship is implicit between what is suggested in first clause and the expected consequence in the second clause. For the conditional implication, it is often that: - The second clause has a modal auxiliary: - The verb of the first clause is an imperative or contains a modal auxiliary. 42
44. E.g. Give me some money and (then) I will help you escape. The implication is show by the paraphrase: “Give me some money. If you give me some money (then) I will help you escape”. Here, the first clause is a condition of the second. 2.5.7. Or “Or may imply a negative condition but also in certain situations E.g. Give me the money or I will kill you. The implication can be paraphrased by the negative conditional clause: “If you don‟t give me money I will kill you.” 2.5.8. Unless While “if” is often for positive condition, “unless” is used to express a negative one. E.g. I will lend John the money if he needs it.(1) I won‟t lend John the money unless he needs it.(2) The example (2) has roughly the same meaning as “I won‟t lend John the money if he doesn‟t need it” but in fact there is a slight difference between an “unless clause” and a negative “if clause” in that “unless” has the more exclusive meaning of “only if not” or “except on condition that ” 2.5.9. If only “If only”, an intensified equivalent of “if”, is used to indicate hope, a wish or regret according to the tense used with it. -If only + present tense/will” express hope: E.g. If only she comes in time (=we hope she will come in time) - “ If only + past/ past perfect” expresses regret E.g. If only he didn‟t smoke! (= We wish he didn‟t smoke or we are sorry he smokes) 2.5.10. Providing; provided (that); as/ so long as There are approximately equivalent and are all emphatic forms of “if”. The clauses beginning with these conjunctions contain desirable conditions 43
45. for the fulfillment of the actions in the main clauses. They are chiefly used with permission. E.g. You can camp here provided you leave no mess. 2.5.11. On condition that “ On condition that” stipulates or lays down a condition to which a person must agree. E.g. I will lend you the money on condition that you return it within six months. “On condition that” normally require a human agent (E.g. You turn as in the example above) 2.5.12. Even if “Even if” introduced an extreme condition and the emphasis is on “even” not “if”, here “if” is used concussively. E.g. Even if he went down on bended knees, I wouldn‟t forgive him. In this example the idea of condition (if) and implied contrast (even) are combined. 2.5.13. Supposing/ suppose - “Supposing” is an other conditional link: E.g. What will the police do, supposing the crowd gets out of hand? (real conditional) - The conjunctions “suppose” and supposing” also imply hypothetical condition. E.g. suppose/ supposing (that) he had an accident, who would pay? (Supposition about the future) Suppose/ supposing that he had had an accident, who would have paid? ( Supposition about the past) 44
46. CHAPTER III: THE CONDITIONAL SENTENCES IN ENGLISH THROUGH CONTRASTIVE ANALYSIS WITH VIETNAMESE 3.1. CONDITIONAL SENTENCE IN VIETNAMESE In Vietnamese, conditional sentences are not a big problem and are not commonly mentioned in Vietnamese grammar books. However, before making comparison between the conditionals in English and Vietnamese, I would like to present a brief summary of the Vietnamese conditional sentences. Some grammar authors in Vietnamese considering the Vietnamese conditional sentences is a separate part in their grammar books. Except some authors such as Hoang Trong Phien, Nguyen Kim Than in “ ngữ pháp tiếng việt ” give a conditional sentence definition:“ Câu điều kiện là câu phức thường có hai mệnh đề và quan hệ giữa hai mệnh đề là điều kiện và kết quả của mệnh đề này. Mệnh đề thứ nhất đưa ra điều kiện, mệnh đề thứ hai đưa ra kết quả hoặc hậu quả” + In Vietnamese conditional sentences, Vietnamese people commonly use “nếu, nếu mà, nếu như, giả sử, giá như, giá, miễn là, ví thử, trừ phi, etc” as the link words The typical structures of Vietnamese conditional sentences is: Nếu + clause (thì) + clause E.g. Nếu điều kiện cho phép . Nếu trời mưa „Thì‟ can be obmitted because it isn‟t a compulsory link,we can omit it. But in a special sittuation, even “nếu” and “thì” can be omitted in Vietnamese conditional sentence E.g. Nếu có tiền thì hai vợ chồng sẽ mua ngay căn hộ mới. Có tiền thi đôi vợ chồng này sẽ mua ngay căn hộ mới. Có tiền, đôi vợ chồng sẽ mua ngay căn hộ mới. 45
47. The conditional clause is often before. However, we can change the order of clause basing on the emphatic clause. E.g. Chúng ta sẽ khởi công xây dựng công trình đúng dự định nếu điều kiện cho phép.(nhấn mạnh ở mệnh đề chính) More examples about Vietnamese conditional sentences E.g. Miễn là cậu trả đúng hẹn,(thì) cậu có thể vay mình bao nhiêu cũng được. Trừ phi con anh chị học hành nghiêm túc hơn thì trượt vào năm nay là cái chắc. Ví thử cậu ở địa vị của mình, thì cậu sẽ làm gì trong một tinh hình tương tự. Giá như cô ta nói tiếng anh giỏi, cô ta sẽ gia nhập câu lạc bộ của chúng ta. The subjective isn‟t change in “if-clause” in the unreal present and future conditionals. It makes the foreign learner confuse when they learn Vietnamese conditional sentences even, with Vietnamese learners. Because they don‟t know the sentences as following can occur or not. E.g. “ Nếu có thời gian mình sẽ đi nghỉ ở vũng tàu”. To persuade the reader and listener that this sentence contrary to fact, we have to add the auxiliary: Trời/ tiếc quá, nếu có thời gian rảnh mình sẽ đi ngỉ ở Vũng Tàu một tuần. Hoặc là: Gía mà/ giá như mình có thời gian mình sẽ đi nghỉ Vũng Tàu một tuần. Beside, we can base on the semantic value of sentence to know that this sentence contrary to fact in present or future.(or unreal conditionals). Gía mà ông Ba còn sống đến bây giờ chắc hẳn ông Ba sẽ rất sung sướng khi con cái mình thàn đạt. “ Gía mà ông Ba còn sống” implies that Mr Ba was died. The unreal conditional in present or future can express by “ví thử”,”giả sử”. 46
48. Ví thử tình hình có thuận lợi hơn thì chúng ta vẫn còn nhiều khó khăn trước mắt. Gỉa sử hắn có lấy cô ấy thì chẳng chóng thì chày thì họ sẽ phải chia tay nhau thôi. The unreal conditional in the past can express by adding adverb or time in the past or by using the structure: Nếu (mà) . Gía (mà)(adverb of time in the past) .thì .đã . Gía như (adverb of time in the past) .thì .đã . Gỉa sử (adverb of time in the past) .thì .đã . Nếu mà lúc đó bọn mình không chạy nhanh thì bọn mình đã nhỡ chuyến tàu rồi. Gía (như) mà tôi lấy tờ vé số đó thì tôi đã trúng số độc đắc rồi. Gỉa sử họ cho cậu biết tin sớm thì cậu đã phải ra sao? But Ho Le has a different approach to analyzing conditional sentences. He analyzed each pair of conditional links in great detail, which can help the reader to understand Vietnamese conditional sentences better. “Hễ .thì .” The structure “Hễ .thì .” expresses the only result corresponding to the condition so we can not express other results corresponding to other conditions in the same context. This can be seen as the pre- supposition of the “Hễ .thì .” structure. E.g. Hễ troi chom mua thi dem ngay quan ao vao nhe. In this sentence, the action of bringing the closes in is natural when it starts to rain. So in Vietnamese we never say “Hễ troi chom mua thi dem ngay quan ao vao con he troi nang thi cu phoi day. The following sentence is redundant and not relevant to the pre supposition of “Hễ .thì ”. Here the link word- omission principle is the same as in case of “Nếu .thì ” “Hễ .là .” 47
49. “Hễ .là .” is difference from “hễ .thì ”. “Hễ .là ” express the natural relationship between the condition and the result as a rule. E.g. Hễ cứ tháy chuồn chuồn bay thấp là trời sắp mưa. Hễ hàng khan hiếm la giá cả tăng vọt. “Hễ .là ” can also express an imperative: E.g. Hễ có tiếng súng là phải xuống hầm ngay. “ Động .là” This structure is basically to “Hễ .là ”, is can not express an imperative but it reflects dynamic relationship between the condition and the result. E.g. Động trở trời là vết mổ lại đau. Động nhờ đến một việc là cảm thấy khó chịu. Here, “Động” can be omitted if we want to emphasize the dynamic condition result relationship. “Phải chi .thì .”(seldom use) In this structure the condition and the result are also contrary to fact which has actually happened or will certainly happen. Besides, it also express a regret that this fact could have been changed. E.g. Phải chi anh ta nghe lời tôi thì thắng lợi đã nằm trong tầm tay. In this example that person didn‟t meet Mr Tam, the work was not completed and he could have met him. E.g. Phai chi ngay mai ong Ba khong di Ha Noi ma co mat voi chung ta thi hay qua. The pre-supposition here is Mr Ba is going to Ha Noi tomorrow while his trip to Ha Noi could have been postponed The violation of this rule results in unacceptable sentences. E.g. Phai chi khong co bao lut thi tien do cong trinh dau den noi. Phai chi hom nay la ngay chu nhat thi hay qua. “Ngộ nhỡ .thì .”, “Ngộ thì”, “nhỡ .thì ” 48
50. These structures are basically similar to “Nếu thì ”, but they also mean that the condition is uncertain, the speaker is not sure if it will happen or not. They are often used in questions. Ngộ nhỡ sự việc không thành thì biết ăn nói với mọi người sao đây. Nhỡ tàu không còn thì ta quay về nhà chờ chuyến sáng ngày hôm sau. “Bằng như .thì .”(ancient language) This structures are basically similar to “Nếu thì ” but it also means that the condition is a bad or the worst thing that may happen and that speaker should and can foresee. The speaker wants to compare it with a better condition. E.g. Ta rủ thêm người cho vui bằng như cuối cùng khôg ai hưởng ứng thì nhóm ta đi với nhau. 3.2. The comparison between English Conditional Sentence and Vietnamese Conditional Sentence In previous chapters, I have analyzed the English and Vietnamese conditional sentences. This helps to indentify the similarities and differences between them. English conditionals are similar to Vietnamese conditionals in many aspects but these chapters are similarities, in fact, don‟t cause difficulty for the learner. Therefore, in this chapter I would like to look at differences only. I think the identification of differences is more useful because it is the differences that can cause variety of problems (errors and confusions). The comparison will be made mainly through translation. 3.2.1. The similarities between English and Vietnamese conditional sentences Real conditional sentences in English and Vietnamese are in simple present in two clauses because of unchanging value. E.g. If I trim the flower plans, my wife waters them. Nếu tôi tỉa hoa vợ tôi sẽ tưới chúng. If I lower the temperature to 0 degree, water freezes. Nếu ta hạ nhiệt độ xuống 0 độ, thì nước đóng băng. 49
51. The generic factual and habitual factual conditionals in English and Vietnamese can use “when” and “whenever” to replace for “if” and it still express the meaning before. E.g. When (ever) I trim the flower plants, my wife waters them. Cứ khi nào tôi tỉa hoa thì vợ tôi tưới chúng. The future (or predict) conditional sentences in English and Vietnamese are in the simple present of “if-clause” and the simple future in the main clause. E.g. If it rains, the reception will take place indoor. Nếu trời mưa tiệc chiêu đãi sẽ diễn ra trong nhà. If you get good marks, I am going to give you a gift. The same in English, “may” can replace for “will” or “be going to” to express the future result in the main clause. E.g. If it rains, we may change our plan. Nếu trời mưa bọn mình sẽ thay đổi kế hoạch. If you get mark 7 and beyond, you may be exempted from the final exam on the job. Nếu các em đạt điểm 7 trở lên, các em có thể sẽ được miễn thi cuối khóa về môn này, In Vietnamese, “should” or “happen” are used to make weak the conditional sentence in “if-clause”. E.g. If you should meet John, tell him I want to see him. Nếu tình cờ gặp John hãy nói với anh ấy là tôi muốn gặp. If Tom happens to be away, just leave him a note. Nếu Tom bất chợt vắng nhà hãy để lại cho anh ấy vài dòng. In Vietnamese, we can also use “so” to replace the conditional clause after “if” completely if that clause is a affirmative clause and “not” to replace the conditional clause after if completely if that clause is a negative clause. E.g. Would you like to joint us for a holiday by the sea this weekend? Bạn có muốn tham gia ki nghi cuối tuần ở biển với chúng tôi không? 50
52. + If so, meet us at the bus station at 7a.m. Nếu đi thi gặp nhau ở trạm xe buýt vào lúc 7giờ sáng. +If not, phone us Friday at the latest. Nếu không đi thì gọi cho chúng tôi muộn nhất vào thứ sáu. The order of clauses in Vietnamese are similar to English. “If-clause” can be before or after the main clause. a. If you speak loudly, the baby will wake up. b. The baby will wake up if you speak loudly. As English conditional sentences and what I present im „ Vietnamese conditional sentences”, “If- clause” in “a” is more emphatic than “b”. Although, the verb in the “ if-clause” of future conditionals refers to the time in the future used in simple present, not in future tense that applies in English and Vietnamese conditional sentences. E.g. I will stay at home if it will rains.(wrong) I will stay at home if it rains. (Right) The auxiliary “will” is used in some cases which express the willing. At that time, “will” in English is similar to “ vui lòng” in Vietnamese. E.g If you will sit down and wait, I will go and fetch him. Nếu ngài vui lòng ngồi chờ, tôi sẽ đi kiếm anh ta. Subjunctive in English is found in Vietnamese conditional sentences. The past subjunctive in “if-clause” often goes with present tense in the main clause and the past perfect subjunctive often goes with the past tense in the main clause. Sometime, there are some cases which the past subjunctive goes with the past tense and vice-verse.(ngược lại) E.g If the river weren‟t so deep in this place, the boy wouldn‟t have got downed. If John had taken my advice seriously, he wouldn‟t have much to worry about the coming exams. 3.2.2. The differences between English and Vietnamese conditional sentence 51
53. Firstly, I would like to provide here under some English conditional sentences and their translation in Vietnamese to see their structural differences. - If the kidnappers find out they will kill her. Nếu bọn bắt cóc biết chúng sẽ giết cô ấy mất. - If you were Hugh and Pamela, what would you do? Nếu bạn là Hugh va Pamela, bạn sẽ làm gì. - No, honesty I didn‟t see you. If I had seen you I would have said “Hello”. Không, thật đấy, tôi không thấy anh. Nếut ôi thấy, tôi đã chào anh. - If I had been the stupidest man in the country. I should still be its king. Dù có là người ngốc nhất nước tôi vẫn cứ là vua nước này. I wish I had known that Gary was ill, I would have gone to see him. Gía như tôi biết được Gary ốm, tôi đã đến thăm anh ấy. Through the above examples, we can see a very remarkable structural difference: English uses a system of tenses and modals to express conditionals while Vietnamese uses a system of connective devices to express them. Because of the unchanging truth value, the English generic factual conditionals can take a simple present tense in both the „if-clause” and the main clause, but in Vietnamese the simple future tense in the main clause is more preferable. E.g If you heat iron, it expands. If you boil water it vaporizes. Therefore, we shouldn‟t say: Nếu bạn đốt nóng sắt, nó dãn ra. We should say: Nếu bạ đốt nóng sắt nó sẽ dãn ra. you shouldn‟t say: Nếu ta đun sôi nước nó bốc hơi. You should say: 52
54. Nếu ta đun sôi nước thì nó sẽ bốc hơi. In Vietnamese conditional sentences, the simple future in the main clause is more suitable. In some cases, the saying proverbs which I referred in “Vietnamese conditional sentences” E.g “Gái có công chồng chẳng phụ”. “Nhân nào, quả nấy”. However, nobody says that “gái có công thì chồng chẳng phụ” or „nhân nào thì quả nấy”. As I mentioned in “The similarities between English and Vietnamese conditional sentences”, this kind of sentence can be in simple future in the main clause but adding “thì” before to make sentence more interesting. In “the similarities between English and Vietnamese conditional sentences”, in the result clauses of future conditional sentences we can use various modals for the prediction scale: Will/ be going to Kết quả mạnh Should Có thể có May Có lẽ (mạnh hơn) Might Có lẽ (yếu hơn) E.g If he went to bed at 11, he may be sleeping now. Nếu anh ta ngủ lúc 11h thì bây giờ có thể anh ấy đang ngủ If he met her yesterday, he might have told her the truth Nếu anh ấy gặp cô ta hôm qua thi có thể anh ấy đã nói cho cô ta sự thật. This scale of showing the decrease in the degree of certainty does not practically exist in Vietnamese. And also in the if clause of this kind of conditionals, we can weaken the condition by using modal “should” or the verb “happen”, or both of them together, but this does not happen in Vietnamese. E.g. If it should/ happens to/ should happen to rain, I will stay home. Neu troi mua, toi se o nha. 53
55. With imaginative (or hypothetical) conditional sentences, the differences between the two languages are quite clear. In English conditional sentences, the subjunctive from of the verb in the „if- clause” itself make you recognize that a conditional sentence is hypothetical. The form of the present or past conditional in the main clause will confirm are further. E.g If he spoke English well, you would find a good job Nếu anh ấy nói tiếng anh giỏi anh ấy sẽ tìm được một công việc tốt If we had known, he would have gone. The forms of verbs in two English sentences above that he can‟t spoke English and he doesn‟t know. But in Vietnamese, because the subjunctive forms of the verbs “nói” and “biết” remain identical with their infinitive forms, we are not sure whether the conditions in the if-clauses are negated or not. Futher more, the verb forms in the main clause remain identical with simple future tense “sẽ tìm được” and “sẽ đã đi” do not help the reader and listener so much. In speech and speaking of Vietnamese, we add “trời” or “tiếc quá” or an adverbial of time, or some kind of conditional makers like “Giá như ” in “if-clause” will help to convince readers or listeners that if-clauses doesn‟t occur. E.g Tiếc quá lúc này mà có đủ tiền thì tôi sẽ mua ngay căn hộ mới. Tiếc quá nếu có đủ tiền thì tôi sẽ mua ngay căn hộ đó vào tuần sau It is now obvious that the if-clauses are negated and that these conditionals are hypothetical. It is similar in hypothetical conditionals referring to the past time. English sentences present no difficulty at all to the learner because the verb forms in both clauses show clearly that the if-clause is strongly negated and the conditional sentences is counterfactual but in Vietnamese we have to use different markers: giá mà, phai chi, neu da. 54
56. Now, let look at the case of inversion. E.g Had she from birth enjoyed a more favorable environment she would have made literature or music. Nếu như từ thuở mới trào đời, được sống giữa một khung cảnh thuận lợi thì hẳn nàng đã trở thành nhà soạn văn hay nhà soan nhạc. Should the guests arrive early, no one will be here to greet them. Nếu các vị khách tới sớm sẽ không có ai ở đây đón họ. Did he not perform it he died. Did he not perform it, it was all the same, he died Nếu hắn không làm tròn nhiệm vụ hắn sẽ chết mà nếu hắn làm tròn nhiệm vụ đó thì cũng vậy, hắn vẫn phải chết. Was I tom, I would refuse. Nếu là tôi, tôi sẽ từ chối. We can see that, in English, inversion is useful press conditionals and the word “if” must be omitted in this case, but in Vietnamese, this does not exist. In some cases, English sentences and their translations in Vietnamese are different: Without: I should be very sorry to win, as I can not carry on without the support of a body of ministers. Tôi sẽ rất buồn bởi vì tôi không thể cai trị nếu không có sự giúp đỡ của một nội các. Without a network of blood vessels to deliver nutrients and oxygen, it won‟t grow much larger than a pea. Nếu không có một mạng mạch máu để cung cấp các chất dinh dưỡng và dưỡng khí, khối đỏ sẽ tăng trưởng lớn hơn một hạt đậu Hà Lan không nhiều lắm. 55
57. Then: “We will buy tomorrow” I assured him. “Then you will be doing your buying in hell”. Nếu vậy quý vị ắt phải xuống âm ti mà mua. Then he will blow back to our side-worse luck. Nếu thế hắn ắt bị thổi dạt về phía chúng ta không còn gì xui xẻo hơn nữa. So far as: So far as mere line and feature went, she was the classic India type. Nếu chỉ xét dáng người thon thon và khuôn mặt thanh tú, nàng là một phụ nữ da đỏ điển hình. If only: If only I had her brains and education ! Ươc gì tôi được học vấn và tri thức của bà ta. Infinitive with “to”: I‟d hate to lose that new engine before it paid for itself” Tôi rất ân hận nếu phải mất bộ máy mới toanh trước khi mình được sử dụng nó đã đời. It would be to said to tell the whole story. Nếu kể lại toàn bộ câu chuyện thì buồn quá. Without conditional links: But, on the constitutional question, united we stand, divided we fall. Nhưng về vấn đề hiến pháp thì chúng tôi nhất trí bởi vì nếu chia rẽ thì chúng sẽ sụp đổ. I know he want big blow he make big blow. He want no wind- no wind come. Tôi biết rõ lắm. Nếu muốn có bão lớn, lão làm ra bão lớn ngay. Neus lão không muốn có gió, chẳng có cơn gió nào đến. By : By singing, I put myself out of the running. 56
58. Nếu chấp nhận nó tôi sẽ tước bỏ mọi hi vong dành thắng lợi. For : I shall be grateful for the smallest novelty. Tôi sẽ rất cảm ơn nếu nghe được điều gi đó dù nhỏ nhất. But for : But for them we should have unbreakable glass, unbreakable steel, imperishable materials of all sorts. Nếu không có họ thì ta đã có kính không vỡ, thép không gãy, mọi thứ vật liệu không thể hư hỏng được. But for Medoto‟s stone, spear of Tema would yet be virgin, clean, unproved. Nếu không vì cục đá của Medoto cây thương của Temas vẫn còn mới nguyên, sạch bóng, chưa qua thử thách. 57
59. CHAPTER IV: COMMON MISTAKES MADE BY VIETNAMESE LEARNERS IN USING ENGLISH CONDITIONAL SENTENCE AND SUGGESTED SOLUTIONS 4.1. Common mistakes made by Vietnamese learners The use of conditional sentences in English is the greatest difficulties for Vietnamese learners for some reasons as I mentioned in the rationale. They often commit errors when using them. Because of the limited time, I can‟t give all of mistakes in my paper. So, I will present the most popular mistakes. +In Vietnamese, the verb “ sẽ ” in the main clause of the real conditional sentence will create the more interesting sentences. Nếu ta hạ nhiệt độ xuống 0 độ nước sẽ sôi. One of the weak points of Vietnamese students is: they think from Vietnamese to English. We see the sentences as following: If we drop the temperature to 0, water will freeze. If the flower plants do not get enough water, they will wither. Therefore, they often confuse the future conditional sentence into the real conditional sentence. +The other mistakes probably made by Vietnamese learners in learning conditional sentences are using “will” in the “if”-clause. Many students argue the sentence: Nếu Tom đến thì bảo anh ta tới gặp tôi ngay The verb “đến” refers to the future tense. Therefore, they often translate this sentence as following: If Tom will come tell me to see me at one. 58
60. They don‟t understand clearly about English grammar in if clause of conditional sentences. Although, the verb implies the action in the future but it is still in present tense or perfect tense. + In the generic factual and habitual factual conditional sentences, “if” can be replace by “when” or “whenever”. The students learning English believe that the particular and usual conditional sentences are similar. They don‟t know that “if” express what surely occurring. They can‟t distinguish the difference between two sentences s following: If I go, I will phone you. (1) When I go, I will phone you. (2) The sentence (1) implies that I can go or I can‟t go. If I go, I will phone you. The sentence (2) implies that I surely go. It means that I will phone you when I start off. + They are often confused between “if” in conditional sentences and “if” in interrogative questions. E.g. I would meet him if I went there. I don‟t know if he went there yesterday. + They can‟t tell the difference between “if” and “when”. “If” expresses a possibility that something will happen, “when” expresses what the speaker sees as certain to happen. E.g If I find your book, I will send it to you. When Christmas comes, children are given a lot of presents. + They also often commit errors when using “if” and “in case” for not knowing the difference between them. “In case” appears similar to “if” but in fact they are different. E.g Bill: I will come tomorrow in case Ann wants me. Tom: I will come to morrow if Anna wants me. Ann in” in case clause” gives a reason for the action in the main clause. Ann in “in case clause” can be omitted but the meaning of the main clause is 59
61. still the same. In a conditional sentence, the action in the main clause depends on the action in the if clause and the dropping of the if clause changes the meaning of the main clause. “Will” can‟t be used after “incase”, a present tense is used for the future (E.g. I don‟t want to go out tonight in case Ann phones not in case Ann will phone.) 4.2. Suggested solution Conditional sentences in English is also a confusing problem for the students, they don‟t know how to use it. So, students should actively do the exercise about the English conditional sentences to overcome these difficulties. Students may encounter the problems inherent in the verb tenses and modals use in English conditional sentences because there is a big difference between English and Vietnamese conditional structures. In some cases, students don‟t know whether a condition is real or unreal. For example “Nếu tôi có tiền, tôi sẽ mua một ngôi nhà to” real or unreal conditional because they fail to understand that the difference between first and second condition is a distinction which arise in the mind of speaker (do I regard this condition as likely). So student should learn by heart the structure, use and variations of English conditional sentence The students can learn English conditional sentences from text books and the websites, especially, learning on the internet because students can check the answers after doing exercises. From this mistake analyzing the right exercises can be selected. Each of mistakes needs kind of exercise to correct. Now I will give some exercise samples to overcome these mistakes. A: Choose the correct form. a. Type I 1. If the zone layer is destroyed, it (result in) global warming. 2. The plane will take off in time if the check-in (be) done quickly. 3. Unless the patient (be) operated on and (have) the tumor removed, his condition (not be) improved. 60
62. b. Type II 1. If she loved you, you (reciprocate) her love? 2. If he (come) here tomorrow, he would discuss the master with him. 3. What you (do) if you were in my position? c. Type III 1. If I had known you were in Ha Noi, I (put up) you for a few nights. 2. You would have caught the last train home if you (arrive) a few minutes earlier. 3. The accident (not happen) if Mr John had not given so fast. B. Complete these sentences: 1.If you had taken my advice more seriously 2. We could have got married earlier if 3. Unless this hotel gets another cook 4. If you ate less 5. you would feel better now C. Match columns A and B to make grammatically correct and meaningful sentences. A Cakes and ice-cream, Found the answer, Were a car, If I Knew taller so much, Had a lot of money, Didn‟t eat president of my country, Didn‟t smoke some money in the street, B Feel better. Try to get a job as a policeman. Lose weight. I would / wouldn‟t Buy a big house. Build more schools and hospitals. Keep it. Tell you. Give you a lift. 61
63. D. Write hypothetical or counterfactual conditional sentences from the following true situations 1. John can not finish his work before 9 o‟clock. The train leaves at 9h10. I am sure he will miss it. 2. Last year‟s crops failed because of adverse weather conditions. 3. John remained lazy throughout the school year. I am sure he will fail the coming final exams. 4 The game was disrupted several times by the heavy rain. 5. At last night‟s reception, he tried to avoid talking to foreigners because he spoke English badly. E.Say whether the following sentences are right or wrong. If wrong, correct them. 1. If the winds will become weaker, we may go boating. 2. If you will give your signature and wait, we will give you your documents. 3. I wish the weather had been like this all the year round. 4. I wish I had met her earlier. 5. I wish the weather had been here yesterday, she told you the whole story. 6. Then he will keep his words if he made a promise. 7. If he made a promise, I will keep it. F. Choose the right word to go in each sentence: a. IF/ WHEN- put “if” or “when” into each gap. 1. We will go straight home class is over. 2. She is leaving for Paris tomorrow. She will phone you she arrives. 3. there is a comedy program o T.V, we will never miss it. 4. We will eat out there is no food left I the fridge. 5. The letter is for Sue. Can you give it to her you see her. b. If/ incase-put “if” or “incase” into each gap. 1. I hope you will come to London some days you can you stay with us for as long as you wish. 2. Write your name and address on your bag you lose it. 62
64. 3. The burglar alarm will ring someone tried to break into the house. 4. I will put a WETPAINT notice on the door somebody doesn‟t realize it‟s just been painted. 5. Go to the lost Property office .your lose your handbag. c. IF/EVEN IF- Fill in each blank with either “if” or “even if”. 1 workers are not satisfied with their living conditions they may take industrial action for higher pay. 2. Workers who go to work . there‟s strike are called scabs. 3. The bus leaves in five minutes but we can still catch it .we run. 4. We will certainly miss the bus .we run. 5. I won‟t forgive them for what they have cone to me, .they apologize. d. UNLESS- Rewrite the following sentences using “unless” and of course without changing their meaning. You must work much harder or you won‟t pass the exams.  You won‟t pass the exams unless you must work much harder. 1. You will stay at home only if it rains. 2. If they apologize for what they said, I will speak to them again. 3. You have to speak loudly or he won‟t be able to understand you. 4. Listen carefully to the instructions or you won‟t know what to do. 5. You may get into trouble if you refuse to cooperate. 63
65. PART THREE: CONCLUSION English conditional sentences are very complicated in structure, function and meaning so my graduation paper focused on these aspects. It has analyzed most types of English conditional sentences with the basic forms and variations as well as their common uses. It is the differences between English and Vietnamese that make learners commit errors so a great part of my graduation concentrates on identifying and analyzing differences between conditional sentences in the two languages. Such analysis has offered a reasonable explanation of learners‟ common mistakes. As result, suitable exercises and teaching strategies on conditional sentences can be suggested. The study has been done mainly through translation. It is impossible for me to present a full theory and description of English conditionals and make a through and detailed comparison between English and Vietnamese conditional sentences, so in my graduation paper I have presented only the most common structures and uses of natural language as well as suggested only some common types of exercises and teaching strategies on English conditional sentences for students whose English is just at elementary and intermediate levels. But I hope my study will be some help for those who are interested in this English grammar item especially for my students learning conditional sentences. 64
66. References 1.Alexander, L.G et al. 1975. English grammar structure- Longman group, Ltd. 2. Ban Diệp Quang. 1992. Ngữ Pháp Tiếng Việt. Tap 2 . NXB Giáo Dục. 3. Close, RA.1975. A Reference Grammar for students of English. Longman. 4. Cobuild. C. 1992. English Usage. Cllins Birmingham University International Language Database. 5. Cobuild. C. 1990. English Grammar. Cllins Birmingham University International Language Database. 6. Cook, S.J.1980. The Scope Of Grammar: A study of morden English, New York. 7. Elbaum,S.N.1986. Grammar in Contex. Book 2. Boston: Little, Brown, and Co. 8. Finegan, E.1989. Language: Its Structure and Use. London. 9. Fries, C.C.1952. The structure of English: An introduction and Construction of English Sentences. Newyork 10. Gethin, H. Grammar in Context. Proficiency Level English. New Edition. 11. Hardley. B, Vinley.P. Streamline English. Destination. (Bilingual series). Translated by Nguyễn Ngọc Bách, M.S. Tủ Sách Đại Học Tổng Hợp Thành Phố Hồ Chí Minh. 12. Ilyish, B.1971. The structure of English. 13. James, C.1980. Contrastive Analysis. Longman Group Ltd. 14. Leech, G.N.1987. Meaning and the English Verb. Longman Group Ltd. 15. Long, R.B.1962. The Sentence and ITS Parts: A Grammar of Contemporary English.Chicago. 16. Le, Ho.1992. Cú Pháp Tiếng Việt. Quyển 2. Cú Pháp Cơ Sở, NXB Khoa Học Xã Hội. 17. Murphy, Raymond.1996. English Grammar in Use. (Bilingual series). NXB Da Nang. 18. Phien Trong Hoang. 1980. Ngữ Pháp Tiếng Việt Câu. NXB Đại Học Và Trung Học Chuyên Nghiệp. 65
67. 19. Quirk, R et al. 1972. A Grammar of Contemporary English. Longman Group Ltd. 20. Alexander, L.G (1988). Longman English Grammar. Longman Group Ltd. 21. Ban Quang Diep. (1989). Ngữ Pháp Tiếng Việt Phổ Thông. NXB Giáo Dục. Đại Học Chuyên Nghiệp. 66
68. APPENDIX The key of exercise: A: Choose the correct form. a. Type I 4. If the zone layer is destroyed, it will result in global warming. 5. The plane will take off in time if the check-in is done quickly. 6. Unless the patient is operated on and has the tumor removed, his condition will be improved. b. Type II 4. If she loved you, you would reciprocate her love? 5. If he came here tomorrow, he would discuss the master with him. 6. What would you do if you were in my position? c. Type III 4. If I had known you were in Ha Noi, I would have putted up you for a few nights. 5. You would have caught the last train home if you had arrived a few minutes earlier. 6. The accident wouldn‟t have happened if Mr John had not given so fast. B. Complete these sentences: 1.If you had taken my advice more seriously 2. We could have got married earlier if we had found a job early. 3. Unless this hotel gets another cook, it will be closed. 4. If you ate less, your heath would become seriously. 5. you would feel better now if you visited a doctor 67
69. C. Match columns A and B to make grammatically correct and meaningful sentences. 1. If I found some money in the street, I would keep it. 2. If I were taller, I would try to get a job as a policeman. 3. If I knew found the answer, I would tell you. 4. I f I had a lot of money, I would buy a big house. 5. If I didn‟t eat cakes and ice-cream, I would lose weight. 6. If I didn‟t smoke so much, I would feel better. D. Write hypothetical or counterfactual conditional sentences from the following true situations 1. If John can not finish his work before 9 o‟clock, he would be missed it 2. Last year‟s crops hadn‟t been failed if the weather conditions would not have adverse. 3. If John remained lazy throughout the school year, he would fail the coming final exams. 4. If it hadn‟t rain heavy, the game wouldn‟t have disrupted several time. 5. If he had spoken English well, he would not have avoided talking to foreigners at last night‟s reception E. Say whether the following sentences are right or wrong. If wrong, correct them. 1. If the winds become weaker, we may go boating. 2. If you give your signature and wait, we will give you your documents. 3. I wish the weather would be like this all the year round. 4. I wish I had met her earlier. 5. I wish you had been here yesterday, she told you the whole story. 68
70. 6. Then he would keep his words if he made a promise. 7. If he made a promise, I would keep it. F. Choose the right word to go in each sentence: a. IF/ WHEN- put “if” or “when” into each gap. 1. We will go straight home if class is over. 2. She is leaving for Paris tomorrow. She will phone you if she arrives. 3. When there is a comedy program o T.V, we will never miss it. 4. We will eat out if there is no food left I the fridge. 5. The letter is for Sue. Can you give it to her if you see her. b. If/ incase-put “if” or “incase” into each gap. 1. I hope you will come to London some days if you can you stay with us for as long as you wish. 2. Write your name and address on your bag incase you lose it. 3. The burglar alarm will ring if someone tried to break into the house. 4. I will put a WETPAINT notice on the door incase somebody doesn‟t realize it‟s just been painted. 5. Go to the lost Property office if you lose your handbag. c. IF/EVEN IF- Fill in each blank with either “if” or “even if”. 1. If workers are not satisfied with their living conditions they may take industrial action for higher pay. 2. Workers who go to work if there‟s strike are called scabs. 3. The bus leaves in five minutes but we can still catch it if we run. 4. We will certainly miss the bus even if we run. 5. I won‟t forgive them for what they have cone to me, even if they apologize. 69
71. d. UNLESS- Rewrite the following sentences using “unless” and of course without changing their meaning 6. You will not stay at home unless it rains. 7. Unless they apologize for what they said, I will not speak to them again. 8. He won‟t be able to understand you, unless you have to speak loudly 9. You won‟t know what to do unless listen carefully to the instructions. 10. Unless you refuse to cooperate, you wouldn‟t get into trouble. 70