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Watch out:
2) Where is the if-clause (e.g. at the beginning or at the end of the conditional sentence)?
type condition
Form
type Examples
+ If I study, I will pass the exam. If I study, I'll pass the exam.
I
If I study, I will not fail the exam. If I study, I won't fail the exam.
-
If I do not study, I will fail the exam. If I don't study, I'll fail the exam.
II + If I studied, I would pass the exam. If I studied, I'd pass the exam.
If I studied, I would not fail the exam. If I studied, I wouldn't fail the exam.
-
If I did not study, I would fail the exam. If I didn't study, I'd fail the exam.
+ If I had studied, I would have passed the exam. If I'd studied, I'd have passed the exam.
III
If I had studied, I would not have failed the exam. If I'd studied, I wouldn't have failed the exam.
-
If I had not studied, I would have failed the exam. If I hadn't studied, I'd have failed the exam.
* We can substitute could or might for would (should, may or must are sometimes possible, too).
TYPE 1
Use
Form
will-future
or
Simple Present infinitive
or
Modal + infinitive
Examples
Use
Form
would + infinitive
or
Simple Past could + infinitive
or
might + infinitive
Examples
TYPE 3
Use
Form
Examples
SPECIAL
Structure
Types
Aside from the typical type I, II, III strucure, conditionals can be divided into two categories:
real and unreal conditionals.
Real Condition
If I have money, I spend it. Present Real Conditional - type I
If I had money, I spent it. Past Real Conditional - type I
If I have money, I will/am going to spend it. Future Real Conditional - type I
Unreal Condition
If I had had money, I would have
Past unreal Conditional - type III
spent it.
I think about spending the money
If I had money, I would spend it. Present unreal Conditional - type II
TODAY.
I think about spending the money
If I had money, I would spend it. Future unreal Conditional - type II
NEXT WEEK.
Special Features
Modal verbs
Main clauses with real conditional tenses can have modal verbs.
You can use could and might instead of would in unreal conditional clauses.
Mixed Conditionals
Unreal conditionals (type II + III) sometimes can be mixed, that is, the time of the if clause is different from the one of
the main clause.
If I had known that you are going to come by tomorrow, I would be in then.
If she had enough money, she could have done this trip to Hawaii.
IF WERE YOU
The word were in the phrase if I were you is special form. It is known as the subjunctive mood (from the grammatical
point of view).
Today you also find the phrase if I was you. Here the Simple Past form of be is used. But there are people who say that
this phrase is incorrect and would never use it (mainly Americans). Others say that this phrase can be used.
will in if-clauses
When the situation or action depicted in the if-clause is a result of the main clause, the will future is used in the if-clause.
Replacing if
as long as
assuming (that)
on condition (that)
on the assumption (that)
provided (that)
supposing (that)
unless
with the condition (that)
Omitting if
Should you need my advice,... (instead of: If you should need my advice,...)
if vs. when
if and when are interchangeable when the statement of the conditional clause is a fact or a general issue (also known as
zero conditonal)
when is used for something that, according to the speaker, will happen.
I will clean up the kitchen right away when I'm back from work.
in case vs. if
If there is a fire, leave the room. In case of fire, leave the room.
The expression just in case is used pretty much the same way.
Replacing if
as long as
assuming (that)
on condition (that)
on the assumption (that)
provided (that)
supposing (that)
unless
with the condition (that)
Omitting if
Should you need my advice,... (instead of: If you should need my advice,...)
if vs. when
if and when are interchangeable when the statement of the conditional clause is a fact or a general issue (also known as
zero conditonal)
when is used for something that, according to the speaker, will happen.
I will clean up the kitchen right away when I'm back from work.
in case vs. if
If there is a fire, leave the room. In case of fire, leave the room.
The expression just in case is used pretty much the same way.