Use of Subordinate Conjunction If and its meaning
If we hadn’t invented subordinate conjunctions, we wouldn’t have conditional language. Just as, if we never found fire, we wouldn’t know the sweet taste of BBQ(barbecue). Or even worse, we would eat raw meat.
It’s no puzzle, the * holds the place of an omitted “if.” And, “if” is the hinge of today’s lesson.
It’s a word that means: in case that; granting or supposing that; on condition that.
The Subordinate Conjunction “if”, like all other conjunctions, links two clauses together. One of the clauses is a complete idea whereas the other is incomplete.
For example in the sentence: “If mankind never found fire, we would eat raw food.”
The word “if” and a comma divides the sentence into unequal but grammatically correct elements.
For clarity, the sentence could be written like this:
“We would eat raw food if mankind never found fire.”
without changing the meaning. Everything following “if” is still an incomplete idea.
For example, you will never hear a native English speaker saying “if we never found fire.” There must be the main clause.
Examples of the Subordinate Conjunction If
- If he needs help, he will call you.
2. Tara would travel around the world if she won the lottery.
3. If they had woken up earlier, they never would have been late.
Let’s practice
Q1: Try making your own sentence.
Q2: What would you do if you won the lottery?
Q3: If you had an extra hour every day, what would you do with it?
Eigooo, the English Training Chat Application
To improve your English, the best way is to practice every day.
Eigooo supports you with a 24/7 chat service with real teachers.
- You can chat with the teacher one-on-one.
- The teacher will make immediate corrections to your messages.
- No need to make a reservation. You can start whenever you want.
- The free trial is ready.
Sign up now and get free messages to try it out
