This document summarizes the different types of conditional clauses in English grammar: 1. Conditional clauses with "if + present tense" are used to talk about possible present or future situations. The main clause will use "will/can + simple form". 2. Conditional clauses with "if + past tense" are used to talk about unlikely or impossible present or future situations. The main clause will use "would/could + simple form". 3. Conditional clauses with "if + past perfect" are used to talk about unreal past situations. The main clause will use "would have/could have + past participle".

2. Conditional Clause
If + Present Tense
Main Clause
will/can+ Simple Form
Characteristic: Real, what is said in the condition is possible
 Time: This condition refers either to present or to future time.
 Example:
 If you need some money, I will lend you some.
 If you need some money, I can lend you some.
In that example, mention: Perhaps you need some money. If
that is true, I will lend you some money.

REMINDER!!! Do not use will in an “if-clause”

3. 1. Maybe I will have enough time tonight. If
I (have) _____ enough time, I (write)
_____ a letter to my cousin.
2. Maybe I will have enough money. If I
(have) _____ enough money, I (buy)
_____ a ticket to the rock concert.

4. Conditional Clause
If + Past Tense
Main Clause
Would/Could + Simple Form
Characteristic: unreal (impossible) or improbable situations.
 Time: Present; the TENSE is past, but we are talking about the
present, now.
 Example:
 If I had enough money, I would buy a house. (The speaker
wants to buy a car)
 If I had enough money, I could buy a car. (The speaker is
expressing a possibility).
 Would : Expresses intended or desired results.
Could (would be able to) : Expresses possible options.


5. 1. Jim doesn’t study hard. If he (study)
_____ harder, he (get) _____ better
grades.
2. The weather isn’t nice. I (take) _____ a
walk if the weather (be) _____ nice.

6. Conditional Clause
If + Past Perfect



Main Clause
Would have/Could have
+ Past Participle
Characteristic: Unreal
Time: Past (so we are talking about a situation that was not so
in the past).
Example:
 If the weather had been nice yesterday, I would have
gone to the park.
 If the weather had been nice yesterday, I could have
gone to the park.

7. 1. True Situation: I didn’t have enought
time yesterday.
If I (have) _____ enough time yesterday,
I (go) _____ to the park.
2. True Situation: I didn’t have enough
money last night.
If I (have) _____ enough money last
night, I (go) _____ to a show.