Diskusi 6 Grammar Analysis : Is it possible for an English conditional sentence to contain no modals? If yes, what meaning would that carry?

“Is it possible for an English conditional sentence to contain no modals? If yes, what meaning would that carry?”

Answer:

The conditional sentence consists of the if clause and the main clause (Praba dkk, 2017). The same thing was also conveyed by Cartel et al (2011), the conditional sentence consists of a main clause and an if clause. Cartel et al (2011) stated that there are three types of sentences, called first, second, and third conditional sentences.

It is possible for an English conditional sentence without modals. Praba et al (2017) mention that conditional type 1 uses an imperative verb, the construction of the if clause is the same, while the main clause uses an imperative verb. It means the conditional sentence is used to make commands, warnings, instructions, advice, and requests. For example:

If it’s too expensive, don’t buy it.

Cartel et al (2011) mention that real conditionals refer to things that are true, that have happened, or are very likely to happen, they can be used without any modal. For example:

If you press that button, the light turns on.

References:

Praba, Utari dkk. 2017. Buku Materi Pokok MPBI 5202/3SKS/Modul 1-9: Grammar Analysis. Tangerang Selatan, Banten: Universitas Terbuka.

Cartel. R, McCarthy. M, Mark. G, O’keeffe, A. 2011. English Grammar Today. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.