Things we do every day

Conjunctions

If clauses

If clauses are usually used to talk about uncertain events and situations. They often refer to a condition - something which must happen first, so that something else can happen.

• If you love me, I will love you.
• If you study well, you will pass the exam.
• If you marry me, I will make you my queen.
• If you don't hurry up, you will be late.

Clauses of this kind are often called conditional clauses. There are four main types of conditional clauses in English. They are:

1. Zero conditional
2. Type 1 conditional
3. Type 2 conditional
4. Type 3 conditional
   

   Position of an if clause

   An if-clause can come at the beginning or end of a sentence. When an if-clause begins a sentence, we use a comma to separate it from the rest of the sentence.
   

   Compare:

   • I will phone you if I have time.
   • If I have time, I will phone you.

   Leaving out If

   In a formal or literary style if can be dropped and an auxiliary verb put before the subject. This is common with had, should and were.
   
   • Were I you I would accept the offer. (= If I were you I would accept the offer.)
   • Had he not received her help he wouldn't have become a millionaire. (= If he had not received...)

When do we use Rather in English?

A) We use rather as an adverb of degree:

Modifying an adjective:

• The film was rather good.


Modifying an adverb:

• It happened rather quickly.


Notes:

1. It is stronger than fairly, but not as strong as very.

2. It can modify a noun, often coming before the article:

3. It's rather a problem.

4. It can modify some verbs: I rather like it.

B) To express preference.

Rather than:

Rather than is normally used to compare parallel structures:

• Let's take the train rather than the bus.

• Rather you than me!

• I decided to write rather than email.


Would rather:

Would rather + infinitive without 'to':

• I'd rather leave now.

Would rather + pronoun + past tense:

• I'd rather he came early.