Useful information about the use of the three different types of conditionals, or present likely situations, imaginary situations in the present, hypothetical situations in the past.

1. Conditionals in English
María Irene Albers de Urriola
M. In Applied Linguistics
Specialization Computer
Technology in Education
University of Sevilla PhD Candidate

2. 
The adverbial clause (the if-clause)
expresses the condition. The main clause
(the then-clause) expresses the result.
The if clause can precede or follow the main
clause, but usually the CONDITION precedes the
RESULT.
Source: http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg276/RabidPhilosopher/CalvinonCauseEffect.jpg
Conditional Sentences
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María Irene Albers de Urriola
M. In Applied Linguistics
Specialization in Computer Technology in Education
University of Sevilla PhD Candidate

3. You talk about what you do in normal
real-life situations.
 It is used to predict a situation
 Present – present.
 Example: If the weather is sunny, she
will go to the beach.

Present Real Conditions or Type 1
Conditional
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María Irene Albers de Urriola
M. In Applied Linguistics
Specialization in Computer Technology in Education
University of Sevilla PhD Candidate

4. It talks about what you would do in
imaginary situations.
 It is possible, but very unlikely that the
condition will be fulfilled.
 Simple past – conditional (would or could)
 Example: If I had more time, I would go
to the beach.

Hypothetical - Imaginary Situations
in the Present or Type 2 Conditional
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María Irene Albers de Urriola
M. In Applied Linguistics
Specialization in Computer Technology in Education
University of Sevilla PhD Candidate

5. Wish and if only express imaginary
situations or events you would like to
happen, but they are unlikely to happen.
 Wish – could, would (REGRET)
 If only – past
 Example:
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Hypothetical - Imaginary Situations
in the Present or Type 2 Conditional
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María Irene Albers de Urriola
M. In Applied Linguistics
Specialization in Computer Technology in Education
University of Sevilla PhD Candidate

6. It’s impossible that the condition will be
fulfilled because it refers to the past; an
action could have happened in the past if
a certain condition had been fulfilled.
 Past perfect – would present perfect
 Example:
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Hypothetical Situations in the Past
or Type 3 Conditional
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María Irene Albers de Urriola
M. In Applied Linguistics
Specialization in Computer Technology in Education
University of Sevilla PhD Candidate