- If, normally meaning 'provided that', is sometimes followed by then.
- If then is not stated, it is implied: If X happens, (then) Y follows:
If the rain stops, we'll be able to go for a walk.
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 students are happy when their teacher is absent.
- If I have the time, I read my favourite book.
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First Conditional
We use the first conditional when we talk about real and possible situations. (predictions about the future/ something that is likely to happen)
- I’ll go shopping on the way home if I have time.
- If it’s a nice day tomorrow we’ll go to the beach.
- If Arsenal win they’ll be top of the league.
Example: When they retire, they'll move to the country.
In first conditional sentences, the structure is usually if + present simple and will + infinitive. It’s not important which clause comes first.
Basic form of Type 1 conditionals
'if' clause: main clause
present tenses 'shall/will' future
condition to be satisfied likely outcome
be: If I am better tomorrow, I will get up.
have: If I have a headache, I will take an aspirin.
simple present: If she finishes early, she will go home.
present progressive: If he is standing in the rain, he will catch cold.
present perfect: If she has arrived at the station, she will be here soon.
present perfect progressive: If he has been travelling all night, he will need a rest.
can, must: If I can afford it, I will buy it.
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Second Conditional
- The second conditional is used to talk about ‘unreal’ or impossible things.
- Type 2 conditionals talk about imaginary situations in the if-clause and speculate about their imaginary consequences in the main clause.
- Though past tenses are used, the reference is not to past time. (That is why this use of the past tense after if is often called 'the unreal past')
- If I won a lot of money I’d buy a big house in the country.
- Where would you live if you could live anywhere in the world?
- If you didn’t smoke so much you’d feel a lot better.
- If I had longer legs, I'd be able to run faster.
Look at the difference between the first and second conditionals.
- In January: If it snows tomorrow I’ll go skiing. It might snow tomorrow.
- In August: If it snowed tomorrow I’d go skiing. It almost certainly won’t snow tomorrow.
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Third Conditional
- Type 3 conditionals assume something purely imaginary in the if-clause and consider the imagined consequences in the main clause.
- Type 3conditionals refer to consequences which did not and could not (now) ever happen because they refer to something that didn't happen in the past.
- We use Type 3 conditionals to speculate about a range of possibilities, from what might have been reasonably expected to what would have been completely impossible.
- They are 'hypothetical conditions':
* If I had worked harder at school, I'd have got a better job.
* If I hadn't been wearing a raincoat, I would have got wet.
(referring to something possible: often expressing regret)
If I had won the competition, life would have been much easier.
(referring to an imaginary, hoped for situation in the past)
If I had lived in the Stone Age, I would have been a hunter.
Third conditional
Third conditional sentences describe the past. They describe something that didn’t happen.
In third conditional sentences, the structure is usually if + past perfect and would + perfect infinitive (e.g. have done). It’s not important which clause comes first.
Notice that other modal verbs can be used instead of ‘would’ (e.g. ‘could’, ‘might’ ‘may’)
- See more at: http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/grammar-reference/conditionals-2#sthash.G5JvVHJq.dpuf
Third conditional sentences describe the past. They describe something that didn’t happen.
- If I’d studied harder at school I would have gone to university.
- We wouldn’t have got lost if you hadn’t given me the wrong directions.
- She might have finished the exam if she’d had more time.
In third conditional sentences, the structure is usually if + past perfect and would + perfect infinitive (e.g. have done). It’s not important which clause comes first.
Notice that other modal verbs can be used instead of ‘would’ (e.g. ‘could’, ‘might’ ‘may’)
- See more at: http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/grammar-reference/conditionals-2#sthash.G5JvVHJq.dpuf
Third conditional sentences describe the past. They describe something that didn’t happen.
In third conditional sentences, the structure is usually if + past perfect and would + perfect infinitive (e.g. have done). It’s not important which clause comes first.
Notice that other modal verbs can be used instead of ‘would’ (e.g. ‘could’, ‘might’ ‘may’)
- See more at: http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/grammar-reference/conditionals-2#sthash.G5JvVHJq.dpuf
- If I’d studied harder at school I would have gone to university.
- We wouldn’t have got lost if you hadn’t given me the wrong directions.
- She might have finished the exam if she’d had more time.
In third conditional sentences, the structure is usually if + past perfect and would + perfect infinitive (e.g. have done). It’s not important which clause comes first.
Notice that other modal verbs can be used instead of ‘would’ (e.g. ‘could’, ‘might’ ‘may’)
- See more at: http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/grammar-reference/conditionals-2#sthash.G5JvVHJq.dpuf
Third conditional sentences describe the past. They describe something that didn’t happen.
In third conditional sentences, the structure is usually if + past perfect and would + perfect infinitive (e.g. have done). It’s not important which clause comes first.
Notice that other modal verbs can be used instead of ‘would’ (e.g. ‘could’, ‘might’ ‘may’)
- See more at: http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/grammar-reference/conditionals-2#sthash.G5JvVHJq.dpuf
- If I’d studied harder at school I would have gone to university.
- We wouldn’t have got lost if you hadn’t given me the wrong directions.
- She might have finished the exam if she’d had more time.
In third conditional sentences, the structure is usually if + past perfect and would + perfect infinitive (e.g. have done). It’s not important which clause comes first.
Notice that other modal verbs can be used instead of ‘would’ (e.g. ‘could’, ‘might’ ‘may’)
- See more at: http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/grammar-reference/conditionals-2#sthash.G5JvVHJq.dpuf
Third conditional
Third conditional sentences describe the past. They describe something that didn’t happen.
In third conditional sentences, the structure is usually if + past perfect and would + perfect infinitive (e.g. have done). It’s not important which clause comes first.
Notice that other modal verbs can be used instead of ‘would’ (e.g. ‘could’, ‘might’ ‘may’)
- See more at: http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/grammar-reference/conditionals-2#sthash.Jzlyu7ql.dpuf
Third conditional sentences describe the past. They describe something that didn’t happen.
- If I’d studied harder at school I would have gone to university.
- We wouldn’t have got lost if you hadn’t given me the wrong directions.
- She might have finished the exam if she’d had more time.
In third conditional sentences, the structure is usually if + past perfect and would + perfect infinitive (e.g. have done). It’s not important which clause comes first.
Notice that other modal verbs can be used instead of ‘would’ (e.g. ‘could’, ‘might’ ‘may’)
- See more at: http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/grammar-reference/conditionals-2#sthash.Jzlyu7ql.dpuf
Third conditional sentences describe the past. They describe something that didn’t happen.
In third conditional sentences, the structure is usually if + past perfect and would + perfect infinitive (e.g. have done). It’s not important which clause comes first.
Notice that other modal verbs can be used instead of ‘would’ (e.g. ‘could’, ‘might’ ‘may’)
- See more at: http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/grammar-reference/conditionals-2#sthash.G5JvVHJq.dpuf
- If I’d studied harder at school I would have gone to university.
- We wouldn’t have got lost if you hadn’t given me the wrong directions.
- She might have finished the exam if she’d had more time.
In third conditional sentences, the structure is usually if + past perfect and would + perfect infinitive (e.g. have done). It’s not important which clause comes first.
Notice that other modal verbs can be used instead of ‘would’ (e.g. ‘could’, ‘might’ ‘may’)
- See more at: http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/grammar-reference/conditionals-2#sthash.G5JvVHJq.dpuf
Third conditional sentences describe the past. They describe something that didn’t happen.
In third conditional sentences, the structure is usually if + past perfect and would + perfect infinitive (e.g. have done). It’s 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.
He doesn’t have a very good job. (present)
This sentence shows the present consequences of a past action.
She isn’t going to Florida (future)
This sentence shows the future consequences of a past action.
He’s miserable. (present)
This sentence shows the present consequence of a future event.
- See more at: http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/grammar-reference/conditionals-2#sthash.Jzlyu7ql.dpuf
(referring to a completely impossible situation)- If I’d studied harder at school I would have gone to university.
- We wouldn’t have got lost if you hadn’t given me the wrong directions.
- She might have finished the exam if she’d had more time.
In third conditional sentences, the structure is usually if + past perfect and would + perfect infinitive (e.g. have done). It’s 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 he’d gone to university he might have a better job.
He doesn’t have a very good job. (present)
This sentence shows the present consequences of a past action.
- If I’d won the competition I’d be going to Florida next week.
She isn’t going to Florida (future)
This sentence shows the future consequences of a past action.
- If he didn’t have to work tomorrow he wouldn’t be so miserable today.
He’s miserable. (present)
This sentence shows the present consequence of a future event.
- See more at: http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/grammar-reference/conditionals-2#sthash.Jzlyu7ql.dpuf
In third conditional sentences, the structure is usually if + past perfect and would + perfect infinitive (e.g. have done). It is not important which clause comes first.
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.
He doesn’t have a very good job. (present)
This sentence shows the present consequences of a past action.
She isn’t going to Florida (future)
This sentence shows the future consequences of a past action.
He’s miserable. (present)
This sentence shows the present consequence of a future event.
- See more at: http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/grammar-reference/conditionals-2#sthash.G5JvVHJq.dpuf
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 he’d gone to university he might have a better job.
He doesn’t have a very good job. (present)
This sentence shows the present consequences of a past action.
- If I’d won the competition I’d be going to Florida next week.
She isn’t going to Florida (future)
This sentence shows the future consequences of a past action.
- If he didn’t have to work tomorrow he wouldn’t be so miserable today.
He’s miserable. (present)
This sentence shows the present consequence of a future event.
- See more at: http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/grammar-reference/conditionals-2#sthash.G5JvVHJq.dpuf
____________________________________________________________________
In third conditional sentences, the structure is usually if + past perfect and would + perfect infinitive (e.g. have done). It’s not important which clause comes first.
Notice that other modal verbs can be used instead of ‘would’ (e.g. ‘could’, ‘might’ ‘may’) - See more at: http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/grammar-reference/conditionals-2#sthash.G5JvVHJq.dpuf
Notice that other modal verbs can be used instead of ‘would’ (e.g. ‘could’, ‘might’ ‘may’) - See more at: http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/grammar-reference/conditionals-2#sthash.G5JvVHJq.dpuf
Third conditional sentences describe the past. They describe something that didn’t happen.
In third conditional sentences, the structure is usually if + past perfect and would + perfect infinitive (e.g. have done). It’s 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.
He doesn’t have a very good job. (present)
This sentence shows the present consequences of a past action.
She isn’t going to Florida (future)
This sentence shows the future consequences of a past action.
He’s miserable. (present)
This sentence shows the present consequence of a future event.
- See more at: http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/grammar-reference/conditionals-2#sthash.Jzlyu7ql.dpuf
- If I’d studied harder at school I would have gone to university.
- We wouldn’t have got lost if you hadn’t given me the wrong directions.
- She might have finished the exam if she’d had more time.
In third conditional sentences, the structure is usually if + past perfect and would + perfect infinitive (e.g. have done). It’s 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 he’d gone to university he might have a better job.
He doesn’t have a very good job. (present)
This sentence shows the present consequences of a past action.
- If I’d won the competition I’d be going to Florida next week.
She isn’t going to Florida (future)
This sentence shows the future consequences of a past action.
- If he didn’t have to work tomorrow he wouldn’t be so miserable today.
He’s miserable. (present)
This sentence shows the present consequence of a future event.
- See more at: http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/grammar-reference/conditionals-2#sthash.Jzlyu7ql.dpuf
https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/grammar-reference/conditionals-1
http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/grammar-reference/conditionals-2
