CONDITIONAL SENTENCES
There are 4 main types of 'if' sentences in English:
0 The ZERO CONDITIONAL where the tense in both parts of the sentence is the simple present:
Ex. If you heat ice, it melts. If it
rains, you get wet
In these sentences, the time is now or always and the situation is real and possible. They are
often used to refer
to GENERAL TRUTHS.
1. The TYPE 1 CONDITIONAL where the tense in the 'if clause is the simple present, and the
tense in the main clause is the simple future
IF + PRESENT SIMPLE , WILL + INFINITIVE
WILL + INFINITIVE + IF + PRESENT SIMPLE
Ex. If it rains, we will stay in . If
you don’t hurry, we will miss the train
In these sentences, the time is the present or future and the situation is REAL They refer to a
possible condition and its probable result.
2. The TYPE 2 CONDITIONAL where the tense in the 'if' clause is the simple past, and the tense in
the main clause is the present conditional:
IF + PAST SIMPLE , WOULD + INFINITIVE
WOULD+ INFINITIVE + IF + PAST SIMPLE
Ex. If it rained, you would get wet If you
went to bed earlier, you wouldn’t be so tired
In these sentences, the time is now or any time, and the situation is UNREAL. They are not
based on fact, and they refer to an unlikely or hypothetical condition and its probable result.
3. The TYPE 3 CONDITIONAL where the tense in the 'if' clause is the past perfect, and the tense in
the main clause is the perfect conditional:
IF + PAST PERFECT , WOULD HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE
WOULD HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE + IF + PAST PERFECT
Ex If it had rained, you would have got wet
If you would have worked harder, you would have passed the exam
