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Unit 7 Conditional Sentences (Type 0 - 3)
Usage When we want to describe a situation that depends on something else, we can use a conditional. A conditional has two parts – an if - clause and a main clause. We talk about the situation or action in the if - clause and the result in the main clause. <If you finish your homework,> [you can go out and play.] <if - clause> [ main clause] The if - clause can come before the main clause or after it. When we put the if - clause before the main clause, we use a comma to separate the clauses. If I eat too much, I feel sleepy. I feel sleepy if I eat too much. Zero conditional / Conditional Type 0
- Usage We use Type 0 conditional to talk about
- general truths If we eat contaminated food, we become ill. If we don’t feel well, we see a doctor.
- scientific facts If we heat water to 100°C, it boils.
- imperatives If you don’t feel well, see a doctor.
- Form if - clause main clause (result clause) present simple present simple e.g. If you don’t water plants, they die. Notes** We can also use when instead of if in Type 0 conditionals, particularly when we talk about things that are generally true or habitually happen. When there is a typhoon, most people stay at home. Sam’s face turns red when he gets very angry. Whenever there is a typhoon, most people stay at home.
First conditional / Conditional Type 1
- Usage We use Type 1 conditional to talk about things which may happen now or in the future. If it rains tomorrow morning, we will cancel the picnic. If you are hungry now, I will make you some pancakes.
- Form if - clause main clause (result clause) present simple will + bare infinitive e.g. If you want to read the book, I will lend it to you. Notes** We use can/may in the main clause instead of will for permission. If you need me, you can call me. You may go if there is no other business to announce or discuss. We use may/might/could for possibility. If the No.3 typhoon signal is hoisted tomorrow morning, the ferry services may/might/could be suspended. We use can/could for ability. If you work harder, you can/could get level 4 or 5 in English. We can use the present perfect or present continuous in the if - clause. If it has stopped raining, we can go out now. If you are having meal now, I ’ll call you again later. We can use should in the if - clause if we are less sure about a possibility. I don’t think Cheryl is going to the party this evening, but if I should see her, I ’ll give her a message. When we use should , we can omit if and begin the clause with should. Should I see her at the party, I ’ll give her your message. We can use would in the if - clause to make a request.
Second conditional / Conditional Type 2
- Usage We use Type 2 conditional to talk about something which is not true or not real now or in the future (imaginary situations). If I had a car, I would take you for a ride around the city. (= I don’t have a car) If he knew, we would ask him. (= he doesn’t know)
- Form if - clause main clause (result clause) past simple would + bare infinitive e.g. If I had time, I would help you. (= I’m busy so I can’t help you at the moment) Notes** We can use the past continuous tense in the if - clause. (Situation: My uncle and aunt are taking me to Ocean Park tomorrow.) If I were not going with them, I would be glad to go with you. We can use would + be + - ing for what could have happened. If he were here now, we would be playing TV games. (= he’s not here) We always use were in the if-clause in formal writing and speech. If the weather were fine today, we ’d go to the beach. In less formal contexts, we can use was with I, he, she, it, etc. If I wasn’t so tired, I ’d go out with you. We often use if I were you to give advice, and if you were me to ask for advice. If I were you , I ’d think twice before I accept. If you were me , would you accept the offer?
Third conditional / Conditional Type 3
- Usage We use Type 3 conditional to talk about something which did not happen in the past. (Situation: The weather suddenly turned bad yesterday.) If we had gone out, we would have been caught in the heavy rain. (= we did not go out so we were not caught in the heavy rain) The third conditional is often used to express regret. If I had invested in the company when I had the opportunity, I would have made a lot of money. (= I didn’t invest in the company and I didn’t make a lot of money)
- Form if - clause main clause (result clause) past perfect (had + p.p.) would + have + past participle e.g. If we had taken the earlier bus, we would not have been delayed. (= we didn’t take the earlier bus so we were delayed by that) Notes** We can use the past perfect continuous in the if-clause. (Situation: The teacher was speaking too fast.) If the teacher had been speaking slowly, we would have written down all the notes. We can use might/could + have + past participle in the main clause. If you had come earlier, you might have seen him. If I had been told the time schedule, I could have stopped him from speaking. We can omit if and put had at the beginning of the clause. This is a formal structure and is more common in writing. Had the government taken the opinions in time, such problems would not have occurred.
Other conditional expressions unless (= if not) Unless we hurry, we’ll miss our plane. (= If we don’t hurry …) otherwise You must rest. Otherwise , you’ll be tired. as/so long as, provided/providing that, on condition that You can borrow my camera as long as/so long as/provided/providing that/on condition that you look after it carefully. even if/though She won’t tell us, even if/though she knows. and/or (else) Take your medication and you’ll be better tomorrow. Hurry up or/or else you’ll be late. (Let’s) suppose, supposing, imagine, what if Let’s suppose/Supposing it rained tomorrow. What would we do? Imagine you had a lot of money. What would you do with it? What if she told you the truth? Would you forgive her? if it were not, if it hadn’t been for/ had it not been for If it were not for your help, I would not have done so well. If it hadn’t been for/Had it not been for her , I would not have done so well. without Without your help, I would have struggled. if so, if not Do you want to read this novel? If so (= if you do), you can have it. If not (= if you don’t), I’ll lend it to Melinda. Making a Wish We use wish to talk about:
- regret for a past situation [ wish , past perfect tense (had + p.p.) ] I wish I had worked harder. I wish I had not argued with my parents.
- imaginary situations in the present [ wish , past tense ] I wish I were a billionaire. I wish I knew everything in exam.
- something that you want to happen in the future but you think it may not happen [ wish , would + bare infinitive ] I wish my friend would call me soon. I wish you would come with us to the party.
Summary Table
Type Usage If-clause Main/Result clause
Type 0 - Scientific facts
- General truths
- Imperatives
- Habitual actions
Simple present tense
If you heat ice,
Simple present tense
it melts
Type 1 Possibly happen
now or in the
future
Simple present tense
_1. If I am late,
- If you need me,
- If you need help,_
will
can + bare infinitive
may
I will call you. you can call me. You may ask her.
Type 2 Imaginary
situations in the
present or future,
events that are
unlikely to happen
Simple past tense
If I were you,
would + bare infinitive
I would join the competition.
Type 3 - Imaginary
situations in the
past
- Express regret
Past perfect tense
1. If my teacher hadn’t _helped me,
- If I had revised,_
would + have + p.p.
I wouldn’t have passed the exam. I would have passed the exam.
Exercise 4 Rewrite the following sentences using the words in brackets. The first one has been done for you.
- If you don’t study, you won’t pass your examinations. (unless)
- If you don’t hurry up, you won’t be able to cross the road before the traffic light turns red. (or)
- You can borrow my book if you return it by the weekend. (on the condition that)
- It you don’t train for the football match, you’ll perform badly. (or else)
- I’ll go to the outdoor training if the weather is fine. (provided that)
- You can stay and watch us rehearse if you are quiet. (as long as)
- If you go to bed early, you’ll feel refreshed in the morning. (and)
- You can’t continuously work for six hours if you don’t take a break. (without)
