Al-Sharq Bright International School مدرسة الشرق الساطع العالمية
G-9, English
Conditional sentences
Conditional Usage If clause verb Main clause verb
sentence type tense tense
Zero General truths Simple present Simple present
Type 1 A possible Simple present Simple future
condition and its (will + verb)
probable result
Type 2 A hypothetical Simple past (Would/could +
condition and its verb- 1st form)
probable result
Type 3 An unreal past Past perfect Would have + past
condition and its Participle)
probable result in
the past
The zero conditional
The zero conditional is used for when the time being referred to is now or always and the
situation is real and possible. The zero conditional is often used to refer to general truths.
The tense in both parts of the sentence is the simple present. In zero conditional sentences,
the word "if" can usually be replaced by the word "when" without changing the meaning.
If clause Main clause
If + simple present simple present
If this thing happens that thing happens.
If you heat ice it melts.
1
Type 1 conditional
The type 1 conditional is used to refer to the present or future where the situation is real.
The type 1 conditional refers to a possible condition and its probable result. In these
sentences the if clause is in the simple present, and the main clause is in the simple future.
If clause Main clause
If + simple present simple future
If this thing happens that thing will happen.
If you don't hurry you will miss the train.
If it rains today you will get wet.
Type 2 conditional
The type 2 conditional is used to refer to a time that is now or any time, and a situation
that is unreal. These sentences are not based on fact. The type 2 conditional is used to
refer to a hypothetical condition and its probable result. In type 2 conditional sentences,
the if clause uses the simple past, and the main clause uses the present conditional.
If clause Main clause
If + simple past Would + verb (1st form)
If this thing happened that thing would happen. (but I'm not sure this thing will
happen) OR
that thing would be happening.
If you went to bed you would not be so tired.
earlier
If it rained you would get wet.
If I spoke Italian I would be working in Italy.
Type 3 conditional
The type 3 conditional is used to refer to a time that is in the past, and a situation that
is contrary to reality. The facts they are based on are the opposite of what is expressed.
The type 3 conditional is used to refer to an unreal past condition and its probable past
result. In type 3 conditional sentences, the if clause uses the past perfect, and the main
clause uses the perfect conditional.
2
If clause Main clause
If + past perfect Would have + past participle
If this thing had that thing would have happened. (but neither of those
happened things really happened) OR
that thing would have been happening.
If you had studied harder you would have passed the exam.
If it had rained you would have gotten wet.
If I had accepted that I would have been working in Milan.
promotion