Conditional clauses have two parts: the condition (if-clause) and the result (main clause). There are four main types of conditional sentences: 1) Zero/present conditional for real situations that can happen at any time. 2) First conditional for likely future events using present tense in the if-clause and will in the main clause. 3) Second conditional for unlikely or imaginary situations using past tense in both clauses. 4) Third conditional for impossible past situations using past perfect in the if-clause and would have in the main clause.

1. Conditional Clauses
By Mª Mercedes Sánchez
Year 2012- 13

2. What is a conditional ?
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A conditional sentence has two clauses:the
condition and the result or main clause.
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EX. If you study hard, you will pass the exam.
The if-clause can come before or after the result
clause. If it comes before, it is separated by a
comma. If it comes after, no comma is needed.
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EX. You will pass the exam if you study hard.

3. Present or zero conditional
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If + simple present, simple present
It is used to describe real situations that
can happen at any time or an event that
always follows another. If can be replaced
by when.
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EX. When/If you heat ice, it melts.
When/If I eat spicy food, I always get stomachache.

4. First Conditional (future or
real conditional)
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If + present simple, will+ bare infinitive.
When you think something is likely to happen or you
want to talk about the results of a possible future
condition.
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EX. If you study hard, you will pass the exam.
The If-clause refers to the future but using a present
tense.
You can also use the present continuous in the if-clause,
and a modal or an imperative in the main clause.
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EX. If it’s raining tomorrow, they might not go for a picnic.
EX. If you arrive late, don’t call me.

5. Alternatives to if
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UNLESS (=if…not)
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EX. Unless you study hard, you won’t pass the exam.
(If you don’t study hard)
IN CASE(= precautions, things we do in
advance)
EX. Take the umbrella in case it rains.
(It might/ might not rain but you will be prepared)
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EVEN IF/ THOUGH (=emphasis)
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EX. Even if/though I become a millionaire, I will
always be a socialist.
PROVIDED/ PROVIDING/AS LONG AS
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Ex. You can borrow my bike providing/provided you
bring it back at 11:00. (=you must give it back by
11:00)

6. Second Conditional (Unreal,
hypothetical)
If +simple past, would+bare infinitive.
We use the second conditional for:
 Future situations that are possible but unlikely.
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Also, for present situations that are unreal.
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EX. If I won the lotto, I would buy a Ferrari.
EX. If we had the key, we would open the door.
And to give some advice, we use the expression:If I were you, …
Were is used with the first and the third person singular, although was is
also used in spoken English
 If I were you, I would go to the doctor
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Could or might can be used in the main clause instead of would.
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EX. If they were friends, they could go out together.

7. Alternatives to if
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We can also introduce unreal conditional
clauses with:
UNLESS (for unlikely conditions but not
unreal conditions)
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I wouldn’t ask you for help unless I needed it.
IMAGINE/ SUPPOSE (to ask about
imaginary situations)
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Imagine you were a fairy, what would you do?
Suppose you had the opportunity, would you give her
away?

8. Third Conditional (Impossible)
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If + past perfect, would have+ p. participle.
We use the third conditional to imagine situations or
actions in the past that we know are the opposite of the
facts.
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Or talk about regrets from our past (often with could have)
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EX. If I had known that you were in hospital, I would have visited
you. =(that’s impossible now)
EX.If I had studied harder, I could have passed the exam. (=I
should have done it, but I didn’t)
Could/ might +have + p. participle can be used in the
main clause instead of would have+ p. participle.
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EX.If I hadn’t broken my leg skiing, I could/ might have been a
footballer.

9. Mixed Conditionals
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Mixed past to present conditional : we use them to talk about present results of a
hypothetical past action
If +3rd, 2nd
If +past perfect, would/could/might+bare infinitive .
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Mixed present to past conditional : We use them to talk about a hypothetical present
condition and a past result.
If +2nd, 3rd
If + past simple, would/could/might + have+p.participle .
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EX. If I had missed the train, I wouldn’t be here now.(= I didn’t miss the train, so I am here now)
Ex. If I had learnt German, I could be working for Siemens!
EX. If I had a mobile phone, I would have called you last night.(= I don’t have a mobile so I didn’t call you
last night)
EX. If you were a better student, you could have gone to university.
Mixed past to future conditional : we use them to talk about results of past action
If +2nd, 1st
If + past simple, will+ infinitive / be going to
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EX. If the plane took off at nine, they will be here by eleven.