There are three main types of conditionals: real, predictive, and unreal. Real conditionals express factual events, predictive conditionals express likely future events, and unreal conditionals express unlikely or impossible events. Each type uses different verb tenses and structures depending on whether the condition is real, likely, unlikely, or impossible. It is also possible to mix conditionals by having the if clause refer to one time frame and the main clause refer to another.

1. BASIC TYPES OF CONDITIONALS
REAL IF-
IF-CLAUSE MAIN CLAUSE SITUATION EXAMPLES
EXAMPLES
CONDITIONALS VERB VERB
Factual Generally true
* If people don’t have any
What happens if…? PRESENT PRESENT Express events that do happen when money, they use credit cards.
certain conditions described in the if
clause are met. If can often be replaced
by when.
* If I spend too long in the
sun, I go very red.
For presenting habits, general truths,
rules, etc
Predictive Likely / Possible
* If I make a promise, I will
Express events that will or may happen keep it.
What will happen if…? PRESENT FUTURE SIMPLE in the future if certain conditions
described in the if clause are met.
OR MODAL
* If you don’t get paid, I may
For presenting future plans, real
not get my money back.
possibilities, postponing events,
predictable consequences, instructions.

2. UNREAL IF-
IF-CLAUSE MAIN CLAUSE SITUATION EXAMPLES
CONDITIONALS VERB VERB
Hypothetical Unlikely
* If you asked Jack, he
Express events that are unlikely to might lend you the
What would happen if…? PAST SIMPLE MODAL + VERB occur (but possible) if certain conditions money.
described in the if clause are met.
* If he had enough
For presenting wishes, imaginary future
situations, remote possibilities, money, he would give
willingness. you some.
Counterfactual Impossible
* If I had called Jack
Express events that are untrue because earlier, he would have
What would have PAST PERFECT MODAL + HAVE + the condition in the if clause cannot be helped.
met
happened if…? PAST PARTICIPLE
* If you hadn’t waited so
For presenting the negative of what had
long, you could have
happened, alternative past scenarios,
excuses, regrets, and blame for past avoided this problem.
events.

3. IF YOU HEAT WATER, IT BOILS.
Condition event
IF YOU EAT YOUR PEAS, I WILL GIVE YOU SOME DESSERT-
Condition future event
IF YOU ATE YOUR PEAS, I WOULD GIVE YOU SOME DESSERT.
Condition possible event
(unlikely to happen)
IF GEORGE WASHINGTON HAD BEEN HERE, HE WOULD HAVE KNOWN WHAT TO DO.
Impossible condition impossible event
* Common conditional conjunctions are: if, when, as / so long as, unless, even if, providing, provided that, on condition that, no
matter how / who / what / where / when.
When the if clause is at the beginning of the sentence, there is a comma. When the main clause begins the sentence, there is
no comma.
If you give me your number, I’ll phone you tomorrow.
If clause main clause
I’ll phone you tomorrow if you give me your number.
Main clause if clause

4. MIXED CONDITIONALS
* It is possible to have sentences that mix conditionals:
- an if clause referring to the past with a main clause referring to the present or future.
If I had invested in that company ten years ago, I would be rich now.
If we hadn’t been given all that homework, we could go swimming.
- an if clause referring to the present or future with a main clause referring to the past.
If you don’t like sweet things, you shouldn’t have ordered the dessert.
If you’ve got an exam tomorrow, you ought to have started revising by now.
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