4. IF and THEN Clauses
Conditional sentences have at least two
clauses: IF clauses and THEN clauses.
Examples:
If I have choice to watch a movie, then I
prefer to watch a comedy.
If I make a silly mistake, then I usually
laugh.
If I usually laugh , then I scream.
5. IF Clauses (the condition)
IF clauses present the condition.
Examples:
If I have choice to watch a movie…
If I make a silly mistake…
If I usually laugh…
6. THEN Clauses (the results)
THEN clauses present the results.
Examples:
… then I prefer to watch a comedy
…then I usually laugh
…then I scream
7. Remember !
The four words that NEVER (well, almost
never) appear in the IF clause are:
will, won’t, would, wouldn’t
Example:
If we will see it, we will be angry.
Request:-
If you will just wait a moment, I will just
find someone to help you.
8. Conditional 1: (expressing possibility)
Definition:
Conditional 1 sentences are used to express
things that happen (or will happen in future)
when certain conditions are fulfilled. The
condition may not be fulfilled; there is no
certainty.
9. Structure and Usage
Structure:-
If + Simple present tense + will /can /shall /may
+Bare infinitive
Example:-
I. If the weather improves by midday, we shall take a
walk to the lake
II. If she runs fast, she will catch the bus (Present
meaning).
III. If I don’t stop smoking, I’ll never get better. (future)
10. First Conditional: Variations of tense
The if clause is usually in the present simple.
However,
we can also use:
Present continuous:
If he's still waiting for you, he'll be very angry.
Present perfect simple:
If zeshan's received your letter, he'll phone you.
Present perfect continuous:
If it's been raining all night, you'll have to wear
boots.
11. The Main clause
The main clause usually has the verb will / shall.
But we can also use: Can / could, may / might,
should / ought to, must
We use models in order to make prediction,
intention and to show the possibility.
Examples:-
Prediction:
If I win the lottery, I can go to Paris.
Intention:
If I win the lottery, I will go to Paris.
Possibility:
If Zeshan win the lottery, He might go to Paris.
12. The Zero Conditional
Structure:-
If + present tense +present tense
Uses:-
The zero conditional describes situations that are
always true.
. Habitual and general facts
Examples:
I. If I go to school, I get up at seven. (Whenever I go to
school I get up at the same time.)(Habitual)
II. Whenever you heat water it boils.
III. When it rains hard, everyone stays indoors.
IV. If you cut your finger, you bleed (Fact)
If = when or whenever
13. Unless
Unless = if not
Example:
I. If we don’t finish soon, we will miss the
train.
II. Unless we finish soon, we will miss
the train.
14. Conditional 2: Imaginary or unreal
conditional sentence.
Definition:-
We use the second conditional to talk about an
imaginary or unlikely situation and to describe its
result. We talk about the imaginary or unlikely
situation with IF + past Simple; we talk about
the result with WOULD (or WOULDN’T for
negative sentences).
When something is NOT possible now, or in the
future.
15. Structure and uses
Structure:-
If + simple past + would/could/should/might + Bare
infinitive
Examples:
If I had a lot of money, I would give some away to that
charity.
If a stranger asked me for money, I wouldn’t give him any.
I wouldn’t be late if I flew to school.
If you see a thief stealing, what would you do?
16. Special Rules for Conditional II
“To be” is always “were”
Example:
If he were here, he would do it.
(Fact: He’s not here, so it’s impossible.)
You can drop the “if” by moving the
“were” to the front.
Example:
Were he here, he would do it.
17. Uses
When the supposition is contrary to
known facts
Example:-
If I lived near my office, I would in time for
work.
If I were you, I would plant some trees
round the house.
18. To give advice
Examples:-
• If I were you, I'd call the doctor.
If I were you, I’d start studying that book as
soon as possible.
• If we would ate cake, I’d get fate.
• Request:-
• If you would like to come this way ,the doctor will see
you.
19. Second Conditional variations of tense
The if clause:-
The if clause is usually in the past simple.
However, we can also use:
Instead of past simple we can have:
Past continuous:
If my car was working, I would drive you to the station.
Past perfect:
If he had taken my advice, he would be a rich man.
20. The Main clause
• Might or could may be used instead of would
• Examples:-
Certainty-would
If you tried again you would succeed.
Possibility-might
If you tried again you might succeed.
21. Conditional 3: hypothetical conditionals
Definition:-
Conditional type 3 sentences are used to express
hypothetical situations or impossibilities because the
conditions on which the results (or outcomes) depended
were not fulfilled.
Making believe” about the past, assuming something
that wasn’t true
Structure:-
If – clause + past perfect + main clause would / should /
could/ might + perfect infinitive.
22. Examples:
If he had worked hard, he would have passed.
If she had gone there, they would have helped
her.
Uses:-
It is used to describe contrary -to –fact
past situations.
23. To criticizing people and pointing out their
mistakes
Example:-
If you had been more careful, you wouldn’t
have cut yourself.
If Zeshan had set his alarm clock, he wouldn’t have
overslept.
24. To express regret about the past
• Example:-
If I hadn’t fallen ill and missed the
interview, I might have got the job.
If I had gone to university, I would have
got a better job.
25. Special Rules for Conditional III
You can drop the “if” by moving the “had” to the
front.
• Example:
If he had been there, we would have done it.
Had he been there, we would have done it.
Be careful !! Although you are starting with a
“little verb”, this is not a question !!
26. Good Luck !!
Just remember to ask yourself:
1) Is the situation
possible or
impossible?
2) Is the situation in the
past or in the
present/future?
