Conditional Sentences
Conditional Sentence Type 0
Conditional type zero is used to talk about general
truths, scientific facts or things which always happen
under certain conditions.
Form:
If + Simple Present, + Simple Present
Use:
The zero conditional is used to talk about things which are always true,
scientific facts, general truths:
Examples:
If you cross an international date line, the time changes.
Phosphorus burns if you expose it to air.
If I wake up early, I go jogging.
NOTE: you can use "when" instead of "if".
Conditional Sentence Type 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. It is
possible and also very likely that the condition will be fulfilled.
Form:
If + Simple Present, + Simple Future
Use
Conditional Sentences Type 1 refer to the future. An action in the future will
only happen if a certain condition is fulfilled by that time. We don't know for
sure whether the condition actually will be fulfilled or not, but the conditions
seems rather realistic – so we think it is likely to happen.
Example:
If I have enough time, I'll watch the football match.
I may have time to watch the match but I'm not sure about it.
Conditional Sentence Type 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. It is very unlikely that the condition will be fulfilled.
Form:
if + Simple Past, + would + base verb
Were / Was
In conditional type 2, we usually use were" instead of "was" in the if clause "
even if the pronoun is I, he, she or it. "were" here is a subjunctive form.
NOTE "was" is also a possible form.
Example:
If I were a millionaire, I would buy a castle.
Use
Conditional Sentences Type 2 refer to an action in the present that could
happen if the present situation were different. I don't really expect the
situation to change because it is very unlikely.
Example:
If I had a lot of money, I would travel around the world.
Conditional Sentence Type 3
It is impossible that the condition will be met because it refers to the past.
Form:
if + Past Perfect, + would + have + Past Participle
Use
Conditional Sentences Type 3 refer to situations in the past. They express
hypothetical results to past given situations.
Example:
If he had been careful, he wouldn't have had that terrible accident.
Sometimes in the past, he was careless. He drove so fast. So he had a terrible
accident
Things to remember
1. The main clause can also be at the beginning of the sentence. In this case,
don't use a comma.
Examples:
"Phosphorus burns if you expose it to air."
" I will send her an invitation if I find her address."
" I would travel around the world if I had a million dollars."
"He wouldn't have had that terrible accident if he had been careful."
2. Main clause and/or if clause might be negative.
Example:
If I don’t see him this afternoon, I will phone him in the evening.
If he had been careful, he wouldn't have had an accident.
Use of if and unless
Some students are not sure whether to use if or unless. The difference is,
however, straightforward. This page will try to provide an explanation of these
two words and show how they are used in conditional sentences.
Meaning of if and unless
If
If means on (the) condition that, provided (that), providing (that), presuming
(that), supposing (that), assuming (that), as long as...
Example:
If I am free this evening, I will watch the match.
Unless
Unless means except if.
Example:
You will feel cold unless you wear a warm jacket.
If and unless in conditional sentences
Both if and unless are used to introduce conditional sentences:
Conditional Sentence Type 1:
If we don't hurry, we will be late for the show.
Unless we hurry, we will be late for the show.
Conditional Sentence Type 2
If he had permission from his parents, he would travel alone.
Unless he had permission from his parents, he wouldn't travel alone.
Conditional Sentence Type 3
If you hadn't suggested it, I wouldn't have phoned him.
Unless you had suggested it, I wouldn't have phoned him.
EXERCISES
Choose the correct answer
1. If I were you, .
2. If I had known, .
3. if you are free?
4. Would you buy this car if ?
5. if I have enough time.
6. If you were to marry, ?
7. , water pours.
8. If I get there, .
9. if I ask you?
10. If you had worked hard, .
Match the numbers with the letters to form conditional sentences:
1. If I were a millionaire, a. if I finish early.
b. I would buy a beautiful car.
2. She wouldn't have had an c. if she had driven carefully.
accident
3. I’ll watch the film,
Decide which of the sentences below is conditional type 1, 2
& 3 :
1. If I were rich, I would travel around the world.
2. She wouldn't have missed the train if she had woken up
earlier.
3. I’ll call you if I come back early.
Put the verbs in brackets in the correct tense (conditional 1):
1. If I (finish) early, I will call you.
2. I (catch) the 9:00 train if I hurry up .
3. She will know the answer, if she (try) to understand.
Put the verbs in brackets in the correct tense (conditional 2):
1. If I (be) a star, I would help the needy.
2. He (buy) a house if he had a job.
3. She (be) happy, if she married him .
Put the verbs in brackets in the correct tense (conditional 3):
1. If he (be) careful, he would not have had that terrible accident.
2. I (pass) the exam if I had worked hard .
3. Her father would not have died, if he (go) to the doctor.
Choose the correct answer:
1. If I (wake up) early, I’ll go jogging.
2. He (visit) his uncle, if he finishes early.
3. If she had taken care of her son, he
(not/become) a criminal.
4. If I were a star, I (help) the poor.
5. She would have been top of her class if she (work)
hard.
