BASIC GRAMMAR

CONDITIONAL IF

MEIYANTI NURCHAERANI S.S.,M.HUM

UNIVERSITAS ESA UNGGUL

JAKARTA
CONDITIONAL

Conditional tenses are used to speculate about what could happen, what might
have happened, and what we wish would happen. In English, most sentences using
the conditional contain the word if. Many conditional forms in English are used in
sentences that include verbs in one of the past tenses. This usage is referred to
as "the unreal past" because we use a past tense but we are not actually referring
to something that happened in the past. There are five main ways of constructing
conditional sentences in English. In all cases, these sentences are made up of
an if clause and a main clause. In many negative conditional sentences, there is an
equivalent sentence construction using "unless" instead of "if".

Conditional Usage If clause verb tense Main clause verb tense

sentence
type

Zero General Simple present Simple present

truths

Type 1 A possible Simple present Simple future

condition
and its
probable
result

Type 2 A Simple past Present conditional or

hypothetical
condition Present continuous conditional
and its
probable
result

Type 3 An unreal Past perfect Perfect conditional

past
condition
and its
probable
 Conditional Usage If clause verb tense Main clause verb tense
sentence
type

result in the
past

Mixed type An unreal Past perfect Present contditional

past
condition
and its
probable
result in the
present

THE ZERO CONDITIONAL

The zero conditional is used for when the time being referred to is now or
always and the situation is real and possible. The zero conditional is often used to
refer to general truths. The tense in both parts of the sentence is the simple
present. In zero conditional sentences, the word "if" can usually be replaced by the
word "when" without changing the meaning.

If clause Main clause

If + simple present simple present

If this thing happens that thing happens.

If you heat ice it melts.

If it rains the grass gets wet.

Read more about how to use the zero conditional.

TYPE 1 CONDITIONAL
The type 1 conditional is used to refer to the present or future where the situation
is real. The type 1 conditional refers to a possible condition and its probable result.
In these sentences the if clause is in the simple present, and the main clause is in
the simple future.

If clause Main clause

If + simple present simple future

If this thing happens that thing will happen.

If you don't hurry you will miss the train.

If it rains today you will get wet.

Read more about how to use the type 1 conditional.

TYPE 2 CONDITIONAL
The type 2 conditional is used to refer to a time that is now or any time, and a
situation that is unreal. These sentences are not based on fact. The type 2
conditional is used to refer to a hypothetical condition and its probable result. In
type 2 conditional sentences, the if clause uses the simple past, and the main
clause uses the present conditional.

If clause Main clause

If + simple past present conditional or present continuous conditional

If this thing happened that thing would happen. (but I'm not sure this thing will happen) O
that thing would be happening.

If you went to bed earlier you would not be so tired.

If it rained you would get wet.

If I spoke Italian I would be working in Italy.

Read more about how to use the type 2 conditional with the present conditional
and how to use the present continuous conditional in type 2 conditional sentence.

TYPE 3 CONDITIONAL
The type 3 conditional is used to refer to a time that is in the past, and a situation
that is contrary to reality. The facts they are based on are the opposite of what is
expressed. The type 3 conditional is used to refer to an unreal past condition and its
probable past result. In type 3 conditional sentences, the if clause uses the past
perfect, and the main clause uses the perfect conditional.
 If clause Main clause

If + past perfect perfect conditional or perfect continuous conditional

If this thing had happened that thing would have happened. (but neither of those things real
that thing would have been happening.

If you had studied harder you would have passed the exam.

If it had rained you would have gotten wet.

If I had accepted that promotion I would have been working in Milan.

Read more about how to use the type 3 conditional with the perfect conditional
tense, and how to use the perfect continuous conditional in type 3 conditional
sentences.

MIXED TYPE CONDITIONAL

The mixed type conditional is used to refer to a time that is in the past, and a
situation that is ongoing into the present. The facts they are based on are the
opposite of what is expressed. The mixed type conditional is used to refer to an
unreal past condition and its probable result in the present. In mixed type
conditional sentences, the if clause uses the past perfect, and the main clause uses
the present conditional.

If clause Main clause

If + past perfect or simple past present conditional or perfect conditional

If this thing had happened that thing would happen. (but this thing didn't happen so that thin

If I had worked harder at school I would have a better job now.

If we had looked at the map we wouldn't be lost.

If you weren't afraid of spiders you would have picked it up and put it outside.
Conditional Sentences / If-Clauses Type I, II
und III
Conditional Sentences are also known as Conditional Clauses or If Clauses.
They are used to express that the action in the main clause (without if) can
only take place if a certain condition (in the clause with if) is fulfilled. There
are three types of Conditional Sentences.

Conditional Sentence Type 1

→ It is possible and also very likely that the condition will be fulfilled.

Form: if + Simple Present, will-Future

Example: If I find her address, I’ll send her an invitation.

more on Conditional Sentences Type I ►

Conditional Sentence Type 2

→ It is possible but very unlikely, that the condition will be fulfilled.

Form: if + Simple Past, Conditional I (= would + Infinitive)

Example: If I found her address, I would send her an invitation.

more on Conditional Sentences Type II ►

Conditional Sentence Type 3

→ It is impossible that the condition will be fulfilled because it refers
to the past.

Form: if + Past Perfect, Conditional II (= would + have + Past Participle)

Example: If I had found her address, I would have sent her an invitation.

more on Conditional Sentences Type III ►

Exceptions
 Sometimes Conditional Sentences Type I, II and III can also be used with
other tenses.

more on Conditional Sentences used with other tenses ►

Exercises on Conditional Sentences

Conditional Sentence Type 1

 Exercise on If Clauses Type I
 Exercise 2 on If Clauses Type I

Conditional Sentence Type 2

 Exercise on If Clauses Type II
 Exercise 2 on If Clauses Type II

Conditional Sentence Type 3

 Exercise on If Clauses Type III
 Exercise 2 on If Clauses Type III

Mixed Exercises on Conditional Sentences

 Type I or II • Exercise 2 • Exercise 3
 Type I, II or III • Exercise 2 • Exercise 3
 Fairytale “The Cat and the Mouse”
 Exercise on “New Orleans” text

Exceptions
 Exercise on If Clauses Type I with Auxiliaries
 Exercise on If Clauses Type I • Exercise 2
 Exercise on If Clauses Type II
 Exercise on If Clauses Type III

Tests on Conditional Sentences

 Conditional Sentences Type 1
 Conditional Sentences Type 1 and 2
 Conditional Sentences Type 1, 2 and 3
 Conditional Sentences Type 1, 2, 3 and Exceptions

 Contact
 Privacy Policy

 About us…

Conditionals: if
from English Grammar Today

Imagined conditions

There are different types of conditions. Some are possible or likely, others are
unlikely, and others are impossible:

If the weather improves, we’ll go for a walk. (It is possible or likely that the weather
will improve.)

If the weather improved, we could go for a walk. (It is not likely that the weather
will improve.)

If the weather had improved, we could have gone for a walk. (The weather did not
improve – fine weather is therefore an impossible condition.)

These types of conditions are used in three types of sentences, called first, second
and third conditional sentences.

Imagined conditions: the first conditional

We use the first conditional to talk about the result of an imagined future situation,
when we believe the imagined situation is quite likely:
[imagined future situation]

Conditional sentences
Conditional sentences are sometimes confusing for learners of English as a
second language.
 Watch out:

1. Which type of conditional sentences is it?

2. Where is the if-clause (e.g. at the beginning or at the end of the conditional
sentence)?

There are three types of conditional sentences.

type condition

I condition possible to fulfill

II condition in theory possible to fulfill

III condition not possible to fulfill (too late)

1. Form

type if-clause main clause

I Simple Present will-future or (Modal + infinitive)

II Simple Past would + infinitive *

III Past Perfect would + have + past participle *

2. Examples (if-clause at the beginning)

 type if clause main clause

I If I study, I will pass the exam.

II If I studied, I would pass the exam.

III If I had studied, I would have passed the exam.

3. Examples (if-clause at the end)

type main clause if-clause

I I will pass the exam if I study.

II I would pass the exam if I studied.

III I would have passed the exam if I had studied.

4. Examples (affirmative and negative

sentences)
 type Examples

long forms short/contracted forms

If I study, I will pass the

+ If I study, I'll pass the exam.
exam.

I
If I study, I will not fail the If I study, I won't fail the
exam. exam.
-
If I do not study, I will If I don't study, I'll fail the
fail the exam. exam.

If I studied, I would pass the

+ If I studied, I'd pass the exam.
exam.

II
If I studied, I would not If I studied, I wouldn't fail the
fail the exam. exam.
-
If I did not study, I would If I didn't study, I'd fail the
fail the exam. exam.

If I had studied, I would If I'd studied, I'd have

+
have passed the exam. passed the exam.

III
If I had studied, I would not If I'd studied, I wouldn't have
have failed the exam. failed the exam.
-
If I had not studied, I would If I hadn't studied, I'd have
have failed the exam. failed the exam.

* We can substitute could or might for would (should, may or must are
sometimes possible, too).

 I would pass the exam.

 I could pass the exam.

 I might pass the exam.

 I may pass the exam.

 I should pass the exam.

 I must pass the exam.

Thanks to Kai.

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Explanation
 Conditional sentences, if-clauses type I, II, III – Summary
 Conditional sentences – type I
 Conditional sentences – type II
 Conditional sentences – type III
 if I were you or if I was you
 Mixed conditionals
 Real and unreal conditionals, Modals and position of if-clauses
 Replacing if – Omitting if – if vs. when – in case vs. if
 will and would in if-clauses

Exercises
 Conditional sentences – Complex Test
 Exercises – Conditional

Conditional Sentences—Rules You

Need to Know
 Grammarly
GRAMMAR

 There are four types of conditional sentences.

 It’s important to use the correct structure for each of these different
conditional sentences because they express varying meanings.

 Pay attention to verb tense when using different conditional modes.

 Use a comma after the if-clause when the if-clause precedes the main
clause.

Conditional sentences are statements discussing known factors or

hypothetical situations and their consequences. Complete conditional
sentences contain a conditional clause (often referred to as the if-clause)
and the consequence. Consider the following sentences:

If a certain condition is true, then a particular result happens.

I would travel around the world if I won the lottery.

When water reaches 100 degrees, it boils.

What Are the Different Types of Conditional Sentences? There are four
different types of conditional sentences in English. Each expresses a
different degree of probability that a situation will occur or would have
occurred under certain circumstances.

 Zero Conditional Sentences

 First Conditional Sentences

 Second Conditional Sentences

 Third Conditional Sentences

Let’s look at each of these different types of conditional sentences in more

detail.

How to Use Zero Conditional Sentences

Zero conditional sentences express general truths—situations in which one

thing always causes another. When you use a zero conditional, you’re
talking about a general truth rather than a specific instance of something.
Consider the following examples:

If you don’t brush your teeth, you get cavities.

When people smoke cigarettes, their health suffers.

There are a couple of things to take note of in the above sentences in which
the zero conditional is used. First, when using the zero conditional, the
correct tense to use in both clauses is the simple present tense. A common
mistake is to use the simple future tense.

When people smoke cigarettes, their health will suffer .

Secondly, notice that the words if and when can be used interchangeably in
these zero conditional sentences. This is because the outcome will always
be the same, so it doesn’t matter “if” or “when” it happens.

How to Use First Conditional Sentences

First conditional sentences are used to express situations in which the
outcome is likely (but not guaranteed) to happen in the future. Look at the
examples below:

If you rest, you will feel better.

If you set your mind to a goal, you’ll eventually achieve it.

Note that we use the simple present tense in the if-clause and simple future
tense in the main clause—that is, the clause that expresses the likely
outcome. This is how we indicate that under a certain condition (as
expressed in the if-clause), a specific result will likely happen in the future.
Examine some of the common mistakes people make using the first
conditional structure:

If you will rest , you will feel better.

If you rest , you will feel better.

Explanation: Use the simple present tense in the if-clause.

If you set your mind to a goal, you eventually achieve it.

If you set your mind to a goal, you’ll eventually achieve it.

Explanation: Use the zero conditional (i.e., simple present + simple

present) only when a certain result is guaranteed. If the result is likely, use
the first conditional (i.e., simple present + simple future).

How to Use Second Conditional Sentences

Second conditional sentences are useful for expressing outcomes that are
completely unrealistic or will not likely happen in the future. Consider the
examples below:
If I inherited a billion dollars, I would travel to the moon.

If I owned a zoo, I might let people interact with the animals more.

Notice the correct way to structure second conditional sentences is to use

the simple past tense in the if-clause and an auxiliary modal verb (e.g.,
could, should, would, might) in the main clause (the one that expresses the
unrealistic or unlikely outcome). The following sentences illustrate a
couple of the common mistakes people make when using the second
conditional:

If I inherit a billion dollars, I would travel to the moon.

If I inherited a billion dollars, I would travel to the moon.

Explanation: When applying the second conditional, use the simple past
tense in the if-clause.

If I owned a zoo, I will let people interact with the animals more.

If I owned a zoo, I might let people interact with the animals more.

Explanation: Use a modal auxiliary verb in the main clause when using
the second conditional mood to express the unlikelihood that the result will
actually happen.

How to Use Third Conditional Sentences

Third conditional sentences are used to explain that present circumstances

would be different if something different had happened in the past. Look at
the following examples:

If you had told me you needed a ride, I would have left earlier.

If I had cleaned the house, I could have gone to the movies.

These sentences express a condition that was likely enough, but did not
actually happen in the past. The speaker in the first sentence was capable
of leaving early, but did not. Along these same lines, the speaker in the
second sentence was capable of cleaning the house, but did not. These are
all conditions that were likely, but regrettably did not happen.

Note that when using the third conditional, we use the past perfect (i.e.,
had + past participle) in the if-clause. The modal auxiliary (would, could,
shoud, etc.) + have + past participle in the main clause expresses the
theoretical situation that could have happened.

Consider these common mistakes when applying the third conditional:

If you would have told me you needed a ride, I would have left earlier.

If you had told me you needed a ride, I would have left earlier.

Explanation: With third conditional sentences, do not use a modal

auxiliary verb in the if-clause.

If I had cleaned the house, I could go to the movies.

If I had cleaned the house, I could have gone to the movies.

Explanation: The third conditional mood expresses a situation that could

have only happened in the past if a certain condition had been met. That’s
why we use the modal auxiliary verb + have + the past participle.

Exceptions and Special Cases When Using

Conditional Sentences

As with most topics in the English language, conditional sentences often

present special cases in which unique rules must be applied.
Use of the Simple Future in the If-Clause

Generally speaking, the simple future should be used only in the main
clause. One exception is when the action in the if-clause will take
place after the action in the main clause. For example, consider the
following sentence:

If aspirin will ease my headache, I will take a couple tonight.

The action in the if-clause is the aspirin easing the headache, which will
take place only after the speaker takes them later that night.

“Were to” in the If-Clause

The verb phrase were to is sometimes used in conditional sentences when

the likely or unlikely result is particularly awful or unthinkable. In this
case, were to is used to place emphasis on this potential outcome. Consider
these sentences:

If I were to be sick, I would miss another day of work.

If she were to be late again, she would have to have a conference with the manager.

If the rent were to have been a penny more, they would not have been able to pay it.

Note that the emphatic “were to” can be used to describe hypothetical
scenarios in the present, future, and past.

Punctuating Conditional Sentences

Despite the complex nature of conditional sentences, punctuating them

properly is really simple!
Here’s the skinny:

Use a comma after the if-clause when the if-clause precedes the main
clause.

If I’d had time, I would have cleaned the house.

If the main clause precedes the if-clause, no punctuation is necessary.

I would have cleaned the house if I’d had time.

 REFERENCES
https://www.ef.com/english-resources/english-grammar/conditional/
https://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/conditional-sentences
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/conditionals-and-
wishes/conditionals-if
https://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/grammar/if.htm
https://www.grammarly.com/blog/conditional-sentences/