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126
UNIT NINETEEN
Conditional sentences
Introduction
Conditional sentences are used to express a condition that needs to be
fulfilled in order for something else to be possible. Based on its function,
a speaker of Dutch uses different forms of the conditional, each depending
on how likely it is that the condition will be fulfilled. Note the difference
in English between If you are home, I’ll come over and If you were
home, I would come over. The second sentence is further away from actual
realization than the first. Similarly, Dutch uses different tenses to express
the likelihood of such a realization.
Conditional sentences in the present and present
perfect tense
Conditional sentences are introduced by a conjunction of condition such
as als ‘if ’, tenzij ‘unless’, mits ‘under the condition that’. See also the
chapter on conjunctions.
1 Erik: Als ik nu niet wegga, kom ik te laat op m’n werk.
If I don’t leave right now, I’ll be late for work.
2 Sanne: Als ik dit voorjaar een paar pond afval, kan ik weer in mijn
zwarte bikini.
If I lose a few pounds this spring, I can fit in my black bikini again.
3 Karin: Als we deze wedstrijd winnen, komen we in de finale.
If we win this game, we’ll enter the finals.
4 Peter: Als ik genoeg geld gespaard heb, koop ik een i-pod.
If /When I have saved enough money, I’ll buy an i-pod.
5 Erik: We gaan dit weekend lekker naar het strand, tenzij het regent.
We’ll go to the beach this weekend, unless it rains.