Explanation:

Conditional claims (or hypothetical claims) have the following standard form:

If (independent clause 1), then (independent clause 2).

The independent clauses have names. The first is called the antecedent and the second is called the consequent.

If (antecedent), then (consequent).

Standard form requires that there be an "if," and a "then." Also, the antecedent must be between the "if" and the "then," while the consequent must follow the "then." The antecedent must come before the consequent. This is all fairly obvious, and sounds more difficult than it is. Just remember, If___________, then_____________. For example,

If Sara worked, then she worked hard.

It is important to be able to translate informally expressed conditional statements into standard form. In this section, you will learn to do that.

Informal Variations:

Conditional claims have informal variations. For example:

Sara works hard, if she works.

“She works” remains the formal antecedent, even though it is stated last. Note also, the “then” is dropped. Your first step in dealing with an informally expressed conditional proposition is to rewrite it in standard form.

You must learn to rewrite (or “translate”) informal variations into correct standard form.

Practice Exercise One

Lesson continued on next page.

* Special thanks to Gordon Black for the handout that is the basis for this session. (Used with permission.)