CONDITIONAL CLAUSES  complex clauses: main clause + subordinate clause  main clause: can stand on its own  subordinate clause: starts with the conjunction; depends on the main clause and cannot stand on its own  If you listen carefully, you will learn this. subordinate (if) clause main clause

CONDITIONAL CLAUSES  the position of each clause isn’t important  the sentence can start with both, the main or the subordinate clause  however, it the sentence starts with the subordinate clause it has to be separated with a comma  If you don’t come on time, we will leave without you.  We will leave without you if you don’t come on time.

ZERO CONDITIONAL  expresses something always true  both clauses have present simple verb  e.g. If you heat water, it boils. If you press the switch, the computer comes on. If it rains, it pours.

FIRST CONDITIONAL  expresses future possibility – something that might happen  main clause has future simple verb  subordinate (if) clause has present simple verb  e.g. If we hurry, we will catch the bus. If it doesn’t rain, we will have a picnic. I won’t get any better if I don’t practice. We will help you if you wait one moment.

FIRST CONDITIONAL  some other verb forms are also possible  present continuous and present perfect can come in the subordinate (if) clause  e.g. If we are expecting visitors, we will have to clean the flat. If you are having a party, we will bring snacks. If you have finished with the computer, I will use it. If you have read the book, I will read it.

FIRST CONDITIONAL  modal verbs, going to future and future continuous can come in the main clause  e.g. If it doesn’t rain, we will be having a picnic. If you haven’t got a modem, you can’t surf. If he jogs regularly, he might lose weight. If he is going on a job interview, he should wear a tie. If he asks me to marry him, I’m going to say yes.

FIRST CONDITIONAL  except future possibility, first conditionals can also express offers, suggestions, warnings and threats  e.g. If you need a ticket, I can get you one. If you feel like seeing the sights, we can take the bus tour. If you go on like this, you’ll make yourself ill. If you don’t apologize, I’ll never speak to you again.

SECOND CONDITIONAL  expresses an imaginary or unreal situation in the present  main clause has would + verb  subordinate (if) clause has past simple verb  e.g. If I got up earlier, I wouldn’t always be late. (but I don’t get up early, so I am always late) If I had enough money, I would buy this book. (but I don’t have enough money, so I won’t buy it)

SECOND CONDITIONAL  some other verb forms are also possible  past continuous can come in the subordinate (if) clause  in the subordinate (if) clause we often use were instead of was especially with If I were you... phrase  e.g. If Rachel were playing her stereo, it wouldn’t be so quiet here. (but she isn’t playing, so it is quiet) If you were talking to me, I would listen to you. (but you are talking to somebody else, and he/she isn’t listening to you)

SECOND CONDITIONAL  modal verbs could & might can come in the main clause  e.g. If we had a calculator, we could work this out a lot quicker. (but we don’t have it) If she worked harder, she might do even better at her studies. (but she doesn’t work hard enough)

SECOND CONDITIONAL  second conditional can also express offers & suggestions, but it is less direct than the first conditional and the speaker is not sure about it  e.g. If you needed a ticket, I could get you one. If you wanted to see the sights, we could take a bus tour.

COMPARE FIRST CONDITIONALSECOND CONDITIONAL If I go shopping, I will need some money. (give me the money, because I will go) If I went shopping, I would need some money. (but I don’t need the money, because I am not going) If I win the jackpot today, I will buy you whatever you want. (there is a chance of winning) If I won the jackpot today, I would buy you whatever you wanted. (there is no chance of winning) If Sarah calls, can you tell her to call back later? (she will call, but I won’t be here to answer) If Sarah called, could you tell her to call back later? (she probably won’t call, I’m telling you this just in case she does)

THIRD CONDITIONAL  expresses a situation which is contrary to reality in the past  main clause has would + have +past participle  subordinate (if) clause has past perfect verb  e.g. If I had got up earlier, I wouldn’t have been late. (but I didn’t get up early, so I was late) If I had had enough money, I would have bought this book. (but I didn’t have enough money, so I didn’t buy it)

MIXED CONDITIONALS  if the subordinate and the main clause have a different time reference, the result is mixed conditional  e.g. If we had brought a map, we would know where we are. (but we didn’t bring the map – in the past, and we don’t know where we are – now)  If I hadn’t parked on the yellow line, I wouldn’t have to pay the fine. (but I parked there so I have to pay now)

SIMILAR STRUCTURES  there are also some other conjunctions which can appear in these structures  when can be used in zero conditional & means ‘every time’  it can also be used in first conditional to express certainty  e.g. When you run, you use up energy. (every time you run, you use up energy) Will you call me when you hear some news? (you will definitely hear some news)

SIMILAR STRUCTURES  unless can be used in all conditionals and means ‘if...not’  e.g. I can’t see if I don’t wear glasses. = I can’t see unless I wear glasses. If you can’t pay the bill, you will have to leave. = Unless you can pay the bill, you will have to leave. I wouldn’t say that if I didn’t believe it. = I wouldn’t say that unless I believed it. I wouldn’t have come to the party unless I had been invited. = I wouldn’t have come to the party if I hadn’t been invited.

SIMILAR STRUCTURES  in case can be used in all conditionals and means the same as ‘if’  we use it to talk about doing something to avoid a possible problem later on  e.g. Take a sandwich in case you get hungry. I will reserve a seat today in case the train is full tomorrow. She took two photos in case one of them didn’t come out.

SIMILAR STRUCTURES  supposing... / suppose... / imagine... mean the same as Imagine if... or What if...  the condition is more improbable, so they are used in second and third conditionals  they are questions and can come at the beginning of the sentence  e.g. Supposing you could go on holiday, where would you go? Imagine you were rich, what would you buy?

SIMILAR STRUCTURES  in more formal styles if can be dropped and the auxiliary verb inverted  e.g.  Were you to question me about the matter, I would deny all knowledge.  Had I known that he was a reporter, I would have said nothing.  Should the meeting last longer than expected, I will have to cancel my dinner arrangements.

OTHER WAYS OF HYPOTHESISING  hypothesis can be expressed with wish, if only and I’d rather  unreality is expressed by a tense shift (moving one step back into the past) e.g. I wish I were taller. (but I’m not) If only you hadn’t said that! (but you did) I’d rather they wouldn’t come. (but they will)

OTHER WAYS OF HYPOTHESISING  wish...would can express regret, dissatisfaction, impatience or irritation because someone will keep doing something  e.g. I wish you would stop smoking. (you won’t) I wish it’d stop raining. (it probably won’t)  if we aren’t talking about willingness, we don’t use wish...would  e.g. I wish I could stop smoking. I wish my birthday was in summer. by Irene, 2010