Conditional Sentences

• A conditional sentence can be a question, command, or statement.
• In English, we use the “If __, then __”.
• In ASL, we never use “then”.
• There are two parts of the conditional sentence:
  • The condition (the part we consider the “if”).
  • The outcome (the part we consider the “then”).
• Must always be condition then outcome; can’t be reversed like we do in English.
• Non-manuals
  • Raise eyebrows
  • Tilt head forward
  • Hold the last sign of the condition (the “if” part)
• If you use a sign for the conditional (“if” part), you can use #IF (the lexicalized “if”), the sign SUPPOSE, or use neither
• Examples
  • If you are late to school, mom will be mad.
    • #IF YOU ARRIVE LATE SCHOOL, MOM MAD.
  • If I give you my Skittles, can I have your hot Cheetos?
    • SUPPOSE I GIVE-YOU MY S-K-I-T-T-L-E-S, YOU GIVE-ME YOUR HOT C-H-E-E-T-O-S.
  • If I don’t have good grades, I can’t play sports.
    • ME NOT HAVE GOOD GRADE, CAN’T PLAY SPORT.