CONDITIONAL CLAUSES

Main clause

If clause

0. conditional has the same tenses in both main and subordinate clauses
PRESENT
PRESENT
PAST
PAST
You get violet ( in general truths)
if you mix red and blue. .
1.1st conditional (future reference)
FUTURE
I will come to the party
future

PRESENT
if you invite me.
present

2. 2nd conditional (present reference)

PRESENT CONDITIONAL
I would come to the party
present conditional

PAST
if you invited me.
past

3.3rd conditional (past reference)

PAST CONDITIONAL
I would have come to the party
past conditional

PAST PERFECT
if you had invited
me.
past perfect

Sintetizare
MAIN CLAUSE

IF CLAUSE

0. PRESENT
PAST

PRESENT
PAST

1. FUTURE

(viitor)

PRESENT

SIMPLE

2. PRES COND
( present)
( WOULD + short infinitive)

PAST

3. PAST CONDITIONAL

( trecut)

PAST PERFECT (HAS+PAST PART)

( WOULD + HAVE + Past Participle= V-ed/3rd form)

4. MIXED CONDITIONALS
I could go to the beach
( present reference)

if I had studied at the right time.

( past reference)

Exceptions: if+will/would
1. polite request (would is more polite)
If you will/would wait a moment Ill see if Mr.J.is free.
2.willingness
If hell listen to me Ill be able to help him.
3.refusal
If he wont listen to me I cant help him.
4.obstinate insistence
If you will play the drums all night, no wonder the neighbors complain.
5.if +shouldslight chance of smth. to happen
If this medicine should have any side effects, call the doctor immediately!
DETAILS:
Conditional 0 Situations that are always true if something happens.
NOTE This use is similiar to, and can usually be replaced by, a time clause using
'when' (example: When I am late, my father takes me to school.)

If I am late, my father takes me to school.

She doesn't worry if Jack stays out after school.

Conditional 0 is formed by the use of the present simple in the if clause followed by a
comma the present simple in the result clause. You can also put the result clause first
without using a comma between the clauses.

If he comes to town, we have dinner.

OR
We have dinner if he comes to town.

Conditional 1

Often called the "real" conditional because it is used for real - or possible - situations.
These situations take place if a certain condition is met.

NOTE In the conditional 1 we often use unless which means 'if ... not'. In other words,
'...unless he hurries up.' could also be written, '...if he doesn't hurry up.'.

If it rains, we will stay at home.

He will arrive late unless he hurries up.
Peter will buy a new car, if he gets his raise.

Conditional 1 is formed by the use of the present simple in the if clause followed by a
comma will verb (base form) in the result clause. You can also put the result clause
first without using a comma between the clauses.

If he finishes on time, we will go to the movies.

OR
We will go to the movies if he finishes on time.

Conditional 2

Often called the "unreal" conditional because it is used for unreal - impossible or
improbable - situations. This conditional provides an imaginary result for a given
situation.

NOTE The verb 'to be', when used in the 2nd conditional, is always conjugated as
'were'.

If he studied more, he would pass the exam.

I would lower taxes if I were the President.
They would buy a new house if they had more money.

Conditional 2 is formed by the use of the past simple in the if clause followed by a
comma would verb (base form) in the result clause. You can also put the result clause
first without using a comma between the clauses.

If they had more money, they would buy a new house.

OR
They would buy a new house if they had more money.

Conditional 3

Often referred to as the "past" conditional because it concerns only past situations
with hypothetical results. Used to express a hypothetical result to a past given
situation.

If he had known that, he would have decided differently.

Jane would have found a new job if she had stayed in Boston.

Conditional 3 is formed by the use of the past perfect in the if clause followed by a
comma would have past participle in the result clause. You can also put the result
clause first without using a comma between the clauses.

If Alice had won the competition, life would have changed OR Life would have
changed if Alice had won the competition.
Most students learn the standard construction forms for the conditional forms in
English. There are, however, a number of alternate forms used with the conditional.
The first page provides a look at alternate forms for the first conditional, while the
second page provides alternate forms for the second and third conditionals. To brush
up on your understanding of basic conditional forms take a look at the conditional
formation page.
First Conditional Alternate Forms
Going to

'Going to' is often used to replace 'will' in the first conditional. This is often done to
emphasize a certain result.

Example

If you apply to that school with your excellent marks, you're going to be accepted!

'Going to' is also used to mean 'intend to' after 'if'.

Example

If you're going to skip school, you certainly won't pass your exams.

Present Perfect

With the first conditional, the present perfect is used to focus on the completion of an
action.

Example

We'll meet for lunch if you've finished your work.

Should

'Should' implies that something is possible, but improbable.

Example

If he should arrive, we'll invite him along to dinner.

This is stronger than in the second conditional in which an unreal or imaginary

situation is presented. Compare:

If he studied, he'd pass the exam.

In this example, I am sure that the student will NOT pass the exam, the second
conditional expresses an IMAGINARY situation.

If he should study, he'll pass the exam.

In this case, I think that the student will probably not study, but if he does, he'll pass
the exam.

Happen to / Should happen to

These two forms emphasize the chance nature of the conditional. In this way, the
condition, while still true, is a less likely to occur.

Examples

If they happen to come to town, we'll have dinner.

If he should happen to get stuck in that town, he'll be able to find a hotel room for the
night.

Modals in Result Clause

Modals can be used in the result clause to indicate future possibilties, permission and
advice.

Examples

If you finish your homework, you can go out and play.

You should see a doctor if you continue to feel bad.
If you arrive early, you might give Tom a call.

If and Adjectives

With the verb 'to be' plus and adjective, the subject and verb of the 'if' clause can be
omitted. The result clause follows in the imperative form.

Example

If interested, apply for the position.

Provided (that), As long as

'Provided (that)' and 'as long as' are used to instead of 'if' to show specific conditions
that must be met in order for something to happen.

Example

Provided he finishes his studies, he'll find an excellent job.

As long as she pays off the loan, the house will be hers at the end of next year.