In this section you will find information on sentences containing the word 'if', the use of

conditional tenses, and the 'unreal past', that is, when we use a past tense but we are not
actually referring to past time.
IF AND THE CONDITIONAL
There are four main types of 'if' sentences in English:
1. The 'zero' conditional, where the tense in both parts of the sentence is the simple
present:
'IF' CLAUSE MAIN CLAUSE
If + simple present
If you heat ice
If it rains
simple present
it melts.
you get wet
In these sentences, the time is now or always and the situation is real and possible. They are
often used to refer to general truths.
2. The Type 1 conditional, where the tense in the 'if clause is the simple present, and the
tense in the main clause is the simple future
'IF' CLAUSE MAIN CLAUSE
If + simple present
If it rains
If you don't hurry
Simple future
you will get wet
we will miss the train.
In these sentences, the time is the present or future and the situation is real. They refer to
a possible condition and its probable result.
3. The Type 2 conditional, where the tense in the 'if' clause is the simple past, and the tense
in the main clause is the present conditional:
'IF' CLAUSE MAIN CLAUSE
If + simple past
If it rained
If you went to bed earlier
Present conditional
you would get wet
you wouldn't be so tired.
In these sentences, the time is now or any time, and the situation is unreal. They are notbased
on fact, and they refer to an unlikely or hypothetical condition and its probable result.
4. The Type 3 conditional, where the tense in the 'if' clause is the past perfect, and the tense
in the main clause is the perfect conditional:
'IF' CLAUSE MAIN CLAUSE
If + past perfect
If it had rained
If you had worked harder
Perfect conditional
you would have got wet
you would have passed the exam.
In these sentences, the time is past, and the situation is contrary to reality. The facts they are
based on are the opposite of what is expressed, and they refer to an unreal past condition and
its probable past result.
A further type of 'if' sentence exists, where Type 2 and Type 3 are mixed. The tense in
the'if' clause is the past perfect, and the tense in the main clause is the present conditional:
'IF' CLAUSE MAIN CLAUSE
If + past perfect
If I had worked harder at school
If we had looked at the map
Present conditional
I would have a better job now.
we wouldn't be lost.
In these sentences, the time is past in the 'if' clause, and present in the main clause. They refer
to an unreal past condition and its probable result in the present.




















Conditionals 1

Conditionals are sentences with two clauses an if clause and a main clause that are closely related.
Conditional sentences are often divided into different types.

Zero conditional
We use the zero conditional to talk about things that are always true.
If you heat water, it boils.
When the sun goes down, it gets dark.
It lights up if you push that button.
The present simple is used in both clauses.
First conditional
We use the first conditional when we talk about real and possible situations.
Ill go shopping on the way home if I have time.
If its a nice day tomorrow well go to the beach.
If Arsenal win theyll be top of the league.
In first conditional sentences, the structure is usually if + present simple and will + infinitive. Its not important
which clause comes first.
Second conditional
The second conditional is used to talk about unreal or impossible things.
If I won a lot of money Id buy a big house in the country.
Where would you live if you could live anywhere in the world?
If you didnt smoke so much youd feel a lot better.
The structure is usually if + past simple and would + infinitive. Its not important which clause comes first.

Look at the difference between the first and second conditionals.
In January: If it snows tomorrow Ill go skiing. It might snow tomorrow.
In August: If it snowed tomorrow Id go skiing. It almost certainly wont snow tomorrow.
NOTE: Although many conditional sentences use if + will/would, conditional sentences can also use other words
instead of if e.g. when as soon as in case Other modal verbs can be used instead of will/would e.g.
can/could, may might.




Conditionals 2

Third conditionals and mixed conditionals

Conditionals are sentences with two clauses an if clause and a main clause that are closely related.
Conditional sentences are often divided into different types.

Third conditional
Third conditional sentences describe the past. They describe something that didnt happen.
If Id studied harder at school I would have gone to university.
He didnt study very hard and he didnt go to university.
We wouldnt have got lost if you hadnt given me the wrong directions.
She wasn't given the correct directions and she didn't find her way.
She might have finished the exam if shed had more time.
She didn't finish the exam and she didn't have more time.

In third conditional sentences, the structure is usually if + past perfect and would + perfect infinitive (e.g. have
done). Its not important which clause comes first.

Notice that other modal verbs can be used instead of would (e.g. could, might may)

Mixed conditionals

In mixed conditional sentences the time in the if clause is not the same as the time in the main clause. There
can be various combinations.
If hed gone to university he might have a better job.
He didnt go to university (past)
He doesnt have a very good job. (present)
This sentence shows the present consequences of a past action.
If Id won the competition Id be going to Florida next week.
She didnt win the competition (past)
She isnt going to Florida (future)
This sentence shows the future consequences of a past action.
If he didnt have to work tomorrow he wouldnt be so miserable today.
He has to work tomorrow (future)
Hes miserable. (present)
This sentence shows the present consequence of a future event.



http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/conditional-sentences