Conditionals Types. Inverted Conditionals.

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Inverted Conditionals

Conditionals are dependent clauses that begin with the word 'if':

If we finish our homework, we can go to the beach.

If a conditional phrase uses the verbs had, should, or were you can invert the subject and a verb. Take a look at these pairs of sentences:

Normal: If I had finished my homework, I would have called you.
Inverted: Had I finished my homework, I would have called you.

Normal: If you should happen to see my wife, tell her I called.
Inverted: Should you happen to see my wife, tell her I called.

Normal: If he were really a good teacher, he would let us go early.
Inverted: Were he really a good teacher, he would let us go early.

Notice that the auxiliary (helping) verb is moved to the front, and the word 'if' is deleted.

© 2002, Michael D. Turner

Further Practice. Click below

Theory and Practice
Practice (pdf)


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