| Element | FORM: 'IF' + PRESENT SIMPLE |
|---|---|
| SuperCat | CLAUSES |
| SubCat | conditional |
| Lexical Range | N/A |
| Level | A2 |
| Cando | Can form conditional subordinate clause with 'if' + present simple. |
| Corrected Learner Example | It is 3 hours long, and if you want to pass it you will have to study very hard, it is very difficult. (Italy; A2 WAYSTAGE; 2006; Italian; Pass) If you buy a gift for me, please buy a book, because I love to read. (Brazil; A2 WAYSTAGE; 2004; Portuguese; Pass) If you agree, we can go shopping after the film. (Argentina; A2 WAYSTAGE; 2003; Spanish - Latin American; Pass) |
| Uncorrected Learner Example | |
| Comments | At A1, there are instances of 'if' + present, mostly with 'need' and 'want' but they are limited to a narrow range of L1s and many have errors. Most are suggestions and offers, e.g. 'If you need my help, you can call me.' There are examples of 'if' + present + 'will' at A2 but they are mostly limited to Romance L1s and very often not appropriate. Note on punctuation: many grammar books stress that when the 'if' clause precedes the main clause, it must use a comma. We cannot establish a consistent competency for this (and punctuation in general). It seems too idiosyncratic. L1 can be a skewing factor. |
