2. Type 0 and 1 are real (or factual)
conditionals describing situations
that
occur regularly
(type 0)
Water boils if it
reaches 100
degrees
centigrade.
are likely or
possible in the
future.
(type 1)
If we study, we
will pass the
course.
Conditional sentences
describe situations that
occur (or do not occur)
because of certain
conditions.
They consist of two
clauses, a dependent
condition clause (also
called an if clause) and an
independent result
clause.
We can think about four
different types of
conditional: 0, 1, 2, and 3
.
1.
present
present
present
future
3. Unreal conditionals are sentences
that describe situations that are
untrue, unlikely or impossible
in the present
(type 2)
If I were rich, I
would buy a car
in the past
(type three)
I would have
helped if you
had asked me.
Conditional sentences
describe situations that
occur (or do not occur)
because of certain
conditions.
They consist of two
clauses, a dependent
condition clause (also
called an if clause) and an
independent result
clause.
We can think about four
different types of
conditional: 0, 1, 2, and 3
1.
subjunctive
conditional
past conditional
past perfect
4. (An if clause is an adverb clause, so
the rule about this is the same.)
Either or both clauses can be
negative.
If I don’t finish my work early, I
won’t be able to attend.
I won’t be able to attend if I don’t
finish my work early.
Note: In conditional
sentences, the clauses
can come in either order.
The meaning is the
same.
We place a comma after
the if clause if it comes
first.
We don’t generally place
a comma after the result
clause if it comes first.
1.
5. Type 0 Conditional
Plants die if they don’t get enough
water.
People with diabetes can control
their disease if they take insulin
regularly.
If I’m flying, I always feel nervous.
We use present real
(Type 0) conditional
sentences to talk about
general truths, scientific
facts, or habits and
repeated events.
We can also use the
present progressive in
the if clause.
2.
6. Type 1 Conditional
If Barry passes the final exam, he
might pass the course.
Unless he studies hard, however,
he won’t pass the final exam. (= If
he doesn’t study hard, he won’t
pass the final exam.0
In future-time
situations, we use
the simple present
or the present
progressive in the if
clause and the
future with will or be
going to, may, might,
can, could or should
in the result clause.
2.
7. Type 1 Conditional
I’ll contact you if I hear from her.
**I’ll contact you if I will hear from
her.
(This rule applies to other kinds of
adverb clauses.)
I’ll contact you as soon as I hear
from her.
I’ll contact you when I hear from
her.
I’ll contact you after as I hear from
her.
Be careful!
Use the simple
present in the if
clause even though
time referred to is in
the future.
2.
8. Type 2 Conditional
If I loved you, I’d ask you to marry
me.
We wouldn’t stay up so late if we
were parents.
I might watch videos if I had the
day off.
Use the present unreal
conditional to talk about
unreal, untrue, imagined
or impossible conditions
and their results.
Use the the *past
subjunctive of the verb in
the if clause.
Use would, could or
might + the base form of
the verb in the result
clause.
3.
9. Type 2 Conditional
I’d buy a new car if I had the money.
**I’d buy a new car if I would have
the money.
Be careful!
Don’t use would
in the if clause in
present unreal
conditionals.
3.
10. Type 3 Conditional
If I had listened to my inner voice, I
wouldn’t have made that mistake.
Mary would have accepted your
proposal if you’d asked in time.
Use the past unreal
conditional to talk about
past unreal, untrue,
imagined or impossible
conditions and their
unreal results.
Use the past perfect in
the if clause.
Use could, might or
would + have + past
participle in the result
clause.
4.
11. We often use the
past unreal
conditional to
express regret about
a situation that
actually happened in
the past.
4.
Type 3 Conditional
I would have lent you the money if
I had known you were in financial
difficulty.
12. Be careful!
Don’t use would in
the if clause in past
unreal conditional
sentences.
4.
Type 3 Conditional
I would have lent you the money if
I had known you were in financial
difficulty.
**I would have lent you the money if
I would have known you were in
financial difficulty.
13. Mixed Conditional
If I hadn’t gone to college, I
would still be working at the
hardware store.
If Sam were coming, he
would have arrived by now.
The times of the if
clause and the result
clause are
sometimes different.
Present unreal and
past unreal
conditional forms
can be “mixed” in
the same sentence.
5.
past perfect
present
subjunctive
present
conditional
past conditional
14. We often use unreal
conditionals to
express regret or
sadness. In a similar
way, we use wish +
noun clause to
express sadness or
a desire for a
different situation.
6.
Type 2 Conditional
I’d earn more if I had a better job.
I wish (that) I had a better job.
15. We often use unreal
conditionals to
express regret or
sadness. In a similar
way, we use wish +
noun clause to
express sadness or
a desire for a
different situation.
6.
a. Use wish + would + base form to
express a wish about the future.
I wish (that) you would change
your mind about buying that house.
16. We often use unreal
conditionals to
express regret or
sadness. In a similar
way, we use wish +
noun clause to
express sadness or
a desire for a
different situation.
6.
b. Use wish + past subjunctive to
express a wish about the present.
My wife wishes that I helped her
with the housework more.
I wish that you were here.
17. We often use unreal
conditionals to
express regret or
sadness. In a similar
way, we use wish +
noun clause to
express sadness or
a desire for a
different situation.
6.
c. Use wish + past subjunctive to
express a wish about the present.
My son wishes (that) he hadn’t
taken that job.
18. Be careful! Don’t
confuse wish and
hope. Use wish to
express regrets
about things that are
unlikely or
impossible to
change.
Use hope to express
a desire about
events that are
possible or
probable.
6.
Wish vs. Hope
I wish that she would accept my
proposal. (I don’t think she will.)
I hope that she accepts/will accept
my proposal. (It’s possible or
probable that she will.)
19. With hope, use
present, past or
future tense,
depending on your
meaning.
*6.
Hope
I hope he will lend me some
money.
I hope you are feeling better.
I hope he got home OK.
20. If only has a
meaning similar to
that of wish.
If only is followed by
a noun clause
without that.
7.
If only
I wish (that) I were good at sports.
If only I were good at sports.
21. Use the past
subjunctive after if
only to express a
wish about
something that is
contrary to fact in
the present.
7.
If only
If only we weren’t so busy.
22. Use the past perfect
after if only to
express a wish
about something
that happened
differently in the
past.
7.
If only
If only I hadn’t said that.
23. Be careful!
7.
Don’t confuse if only with only if.
If only Jerry studied more.
(= I wish he would study more.)
Only if Jerry studied more would he
have a chance of passing.
(= This is the only way for him to
pass.
