REVISING CONDITIONAL SENTECES

1. CONDITIONAL SENTENCES

2. Conditional sentences consist of two
clauses: a conditional clauseconditional clause (or “IF”
clause) and the main clausemain clause (or “RESULT”
clause) which is dependent on the
conditional.

3. ZERO CONDITIONAL
Used for facts that are always true. Actions thatUsed for facts that are always true. Actions that
always have the same result:always have the same result:
 If you study a lot, you always pass your exams.
 If you can read this, you’re driving too close to me!
You can replace IF with WHEN if we are referring to a
regular activity:
 When I eat dairy products, I get red spots on my skin.
We can use modal verbs (especially “can” and
“may”), present simple, perfect or continuous in both
clauses.
We can find a similar pattern to refer to the past:
When they went to the movies, they always sat at the
back.

4. TYPE I:LIKELY OR REAL
(possible present or future situation and its result)
 If + present (simple, continuous or perfect), WILL/ SHALL or BE going to.
(Also future continuous or perfect)
 If you come to the party, you’ll enjoy yourself.
 If the concert is on Friday, I’m going to buy the tickets at once.
 If you arrive before 10:00, we’ll be playing in the park.
 If you continue wasting your money, you’ll have gone bankrupt in three
years.
 If + present (simple, continuous, perfect), imperative
 If you come to the party, bring some wine.
 If you have finished, come to the party.
 If you are expecting someone, tell him to join us.
 If + present (simple, continuous, perfect), modal
 If you come to the party, you must bring a bottle of wine.
 If you have finished, you can come with us
 If you are expecting someone, I can leave.

5. Other Patterns
 Requests: if + future, future
 If you’ll just wait a minute, I’ll call the manager to help
you.
 If + should/ If + happen to (less likely but possible)
 If you happen to see James, tell him to phone me.
 If you should experience severe withdrawal effects,
contact your GP.
 Should you change your mind, contact us.
 Elliptical:
If in doubt, ask for help.
If about to quit smoking, try to find a mentor.

6. OTHER CONJUNCTIONS
 Unless= if...not. Often used in warnings.
 We’ll be late for our English lesson unless we hurry.
 As long as (or so long as)= if, on condition that.
 We’ll be on time for our lesson as long as you hurry
up.
 Provided (that)/providing (that)= if, on condition that.
 Providing (that) you lay the table, I’ll cook.
 He will pass his exam, provided (that) he studies a
lot.
 In case (precaution)
 Take an umbrella in case it rains.

7. TYPE II: UNLIKELY/ IMAGINARY
(hypothetical or improbable situation in present or future and its result)
If + past (simple or continuous), would/could/ might/ should +
infinitive
 If you were driving from Cartagena to Cuenca, what way
would you go?
(You are not driving)
 If I went to London, I could/ might improve my English
(unlikely that you’ll go but possible).
If I were rich, I would travel around the world.
If she was/were rich, she wouldn’t work.
Were you really ill, I would call the doctor (formal).
IF IT WEREN’T FOR …
If it weren’t for his wife’s money, he’d never be a manager.
If it weren’t for the on-the-job training, I would quit.

8. TYPE III: UNREAL/ IMAGINARY IN THE PAST
Imaginary situations in the past.Imaginary situations in the past.
Used to criticise, to point out mistakes or to express a regret.
 If + past perfect (simple or continuous), would/ could/might
have + past participle (or “been” + -ing)
 If I had gone to the party, I would have taken a bottle of wine.
 If the taxi hadn’t come along, you would have been waiting there
for hours.
 Had I known the results, I would have phoned you. (formal)
IF IT HADN’T BEEN FOR ...
 If it hadn’t been for your help, I wouldn’t have got the hang of it so
quickly.
 If it hadn’t been for my family support, I might not have overcome it.