This document discusses the three main types of conditional sentences in English: first, second, and third conditional. The first conditional uses "if + present simple + will" to talk about possible future events. The second conditional uses "if + past simple + would/could/might" to talk about imagined or unlikely future events. The third conditional uses "if + past perfect + would/could/might + perfect" to talk about unreal past situations. It also covers special cases, common mistakes, and examples of each conditional type.

1. Conditional Sentences
©2015 by Ulfiatu Rochmah

3. 3 Main Types :
First Conditional
Sentences
Second Conditional
Sentences
Third Conditional
Sentences

4. First Conditional
Form
:
If + Present Simple +Will
Use : to talk about possible future events that
depend on other future events.
E.g. : If I see him tomorrow, I will say what I
feel

5. Second Conditional
Form
:
If + Past Simple +Would / Could /
Might
Use
and
E.g. :
to talk about imagined, impossible
or unlikely events in the future.
e.g. : If anything changed, we would
let you know
to talk about impossible present
situations.

6. Third Conditional
Form
:
If + Past Perfect+Would / Could / Might
+ Perfect
Use : to talk about unreal situations in the
past and to imagine things that did not
happen.
E.g. : If I had known about his condition, I
would have phoned for you earlier

7. Special Cases
1. Use of ‘Would’ for
politeness
E.g. : If you follow me please, I’ll show you
your class
‘ If you’d follow me, I’ll show you your
class ’
2. Imperatives and Request in
Conditional 1
E.g. : If you see Aang, please give him this
pen ‘ Could you give Aang this pen please if
you see him? ‘
3. Use of ‘May / Might /
Could’
 Conditional 1
E.g. : If I see her tomorrow, I’ll tell to her
If I see her tomorrow, I may tell to her
 Conditional 2
E.g. : If they were late again, I would not
let them in
If they were late again, I might / could not
let them in

8.  Conditional 3
E.g. : If I had had some time last week, I
would have tidied up my office
If I had had some time last week, I might /
could have tidied up my office

9. Common Mistakes
If
If
didn’t
hadn’t
1. Using ‘When’ istead of ‘If’ in
real conditionals
 Conditional 1
E.g. : When I see her tomoorow, I will talk
to her
 Conditional 2
E.g. : When it were a little warmer, I would
go for a swim
 Conditional 3
E.g. : When I hadn’t had so much coffee, I
would have slept better
2. Using ‘Will’ or ‘Would’ twice
 Conditional 1
E.g. : If you will come back to me
tomorrow, I will give it to you then
 Conditional 2
E.g. : You would miss the bus if you
wouldn’t leave now
 Conditional 3
E.g. : No one would have noticed if you
wouldn’t have said anything

10. 3. Mixing up one conditional
with another
 Conditional 1 & 2
E.g. :
Mistake : How much would it be if I pay
cash?
Either : How much will it be if I pay cash? (cs.
1)
Or : How much would it be if I paid cash? (cs.
2)
 Conditional 2 & 3
E.g. :
Mistake : If you came earlier, we would have
had more time
Either : If you came earlier, we would have
more time (cs. 2)
Or : If you had came earlier, we would have
had more time (cs. 3)