Leaving out “if” in informal conditional situations

Leaving out if in informal conversational style

This is especially used when the speaker is making conditions or threatening someone.

• – You want to buy an alcoholic drink, you show me your ID like everyone else (= If you want to drink alcohol, you show me your ID like everyone else)

• – Your boss wants the best suite, tell him to send us a deposit. (= If you boss wants the best suite, tell him to send us a deposit)

• – You want a discount on the car, you pay in cash up front. (= If you want a discount on the car, you pay in cash up front.)

  – She returns the money, I won’t call the police. (= If you return the money, I won’t call the police)

   

Conditionals without “if” formal and literary style

Test for all conditionals

Had Justin Bieber been born in Spain, he wouldn’t …

Use of UNLESS in conditionals