This document provides information about different types of conditional sentences in English: - Zero conditional (truths): If + present, present (e.g. If you freeze water, it turns into ice) - First conditional (likely future): If + present, will/going to + infinitive (e.g. I'll apply for the dole if I lose my job) - Second conditional (unlikely): If + past, would/might/could (e.g. If my boss weren't a control freak, I would be more efficient at work) - Third conditional (unreal past): If + past perfect, would/might/could have + past participle (e.

1. B2, EOI CARTAGENA
Isabel Bastida & Ana Mena

2. 1.ZEROANDFIRST CONDITIONAL.
2.SECONDCONDITIONAL.
3.THIRDCONDITIONAL.
4.MIXEDCONDITIONAL.

4. ZEROCONDITIONAL
(truths)
If you freeze water, it turns
into ice.
FIRST CONDITIONAL
(likely)
• I’ll apply for the dole, if I
lose my job.
If (present), (present) If (present), future (will, be going
to)
If (present), imperative

5. SHOULD(= happen to)
If you should run into Peter, tell him we need his
report.
If you should be late, we’ll have to start without you.
Should you change your mind, contact us. (Formal)
ELIPTICAL
If in doubt, ask for help.
If about to go on a long journey, try to have a good
nigth’s sleep.

7. SECOND
CONDITIONAL(unlikely)
If my boss weren’t a control
freak, I would be more
efficient at work.
SECONDCONDITIONAL
(unlikely)
If the situation got worse, I
might hand in my notice and
find another job. (would
perhaps)
If (past simple), (would, might,
could)

8. 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.
INVERSION
Were she my employee, I would dismiss her. (Formal)

10. THIRDCONDITIONAL(unreal
past)
If I hadn’t had that deadline,
I could have finished my
report on time. (would have
been able)
MORE EXAMPLES
If he had got along with his
colleagues, he mightn’t have
been given the sack.(would
perhaps have been)
If (past perfect), (would have p.p.,
might have p.p., could have p.p.)

11. 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 the reshuffle of the company, it
might have gone bankrupt.
INVERSION
Had the CEO’s not changed their strategies, there
would have been more job insecurity in the firm.(Formal)

12. ALTERNATIVES TO “IF”
• Unless= if...not. Often used in warnings.
• We’ll be late for our English lesson unless we hurry.
• As long as (orso longas)= 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.

14. Choose the correct option:
A. “If I had a well-paid job yesterday /now, I wouldn’t have
asked for a bank loan to pay my daughter’s university
fees yesterday/now”
B. “If Peter hadn’t handed in his notice last week/at present,
he would be the new manager last week/at present”
1. A past event which would/ might/ could/ should have a
direct
result on a present situation.
2. A present situation which would/ might/ could/ should
have
changed a past situation.

16. 1. A. If we had known he was afraid of heights, we wouldn’t have given
him the job.
B. Had we known he was afraid of heights, we would not have given
him
the job.
2. A. If you’d had a big breakfast, you wouldn’t have been so hungry.
B. If you’d had a big breakfast, you wouldn’t be so hungry.
3. A. I’ll take my umbrella in case it rains.
B. I’ll take my umbrella if it rains.
4. A. If you see Harry, please don’t tell him I’m getting married.
B. Should you see Harry, please do not tell him I’m getting married.

17. 5. A. If I’d known you were into town, I’d have asked you to get
something for dinner.
B. Had I known you were into town, I’d have asked you to get
something
for dinner.
6. A. If you follow me, I’ll show you were the files are kept.
B. If you will follow me, I’ll show you were the files are kept.

18. COMPLETE THE GAPS WITHTHE CORRECT FORMOF THE VERBIN
BRACKETS
1.Sheila ……. (be able to) go out tonight if she …….. (finish) her report yesterday night.
2. You ……. (attend) the meeting right now if your alarm clock ……. (ring)
WRITE MIXEDCONDITIONAL SENTENCES BEGINNING WITHIF
1.The firm did not take the advice of his experts. Their benefits are plummeting in Asia today.
2. Our staff are unqualified today. The training policy failed.

19. 3
Nick is exhausted because he packed a lot of things.
Nick ..................... ........... exhausted if
he ..................... ................... so many things.

20. 1
0
He has got the equipment and so he went climbing.
He ...................... ............ climbing if
he .................... .................... the equipment.

21. 4
He is washing his car because it was very dirty.
If his car ............... so dirty,
he .......... .............................. it..

22. 7 8
Mary sold her house because she needs money.
If Mary .................. .................. money,
she ......................... ........................ her house.