All About Conditionals
TYPE 0 We refer to general truths, habitual actions. If clause – Simple present Main clause – simple present My mom gets nervous if I arrive late. If the temperature is 100 Celsius, the water boils.
Type 1 If it rains, I’ll lend you an umbrella. Unless you don’t move, I’ll hit the apple. We refer to the future. In this case it is LIKELY that the condition will be fulfilled. Unless = if … not If clause – Simple present Main clause – simple future
Type 2 If had a maid, I wouldn’t have to clean the house. We refer to the present. In this case it is UNLIKELY that the condition will be fulfilled. In the IF-clause ‘WERE’ can be used instead of ‘was’. If clause – Simple past Main clause – simple conditional If had a maid, I wouldn’t have to clean the house.
remember ‘Will’ can be replaced by: may can should If you ask your mom, she may buy you this backpack. If they went on holiday, they could practise their English. ‘Will’ can be replaced by: may can should ‘Would’ can be replaced by: might could
Reviewing things
Conditionals If clause Main clause Use If + Present form Type I Real present If + Present form Future / Imperative, can/must/should + bare inf., Present Simple Situation likely to happen in present or future If the weather is good, we can go for a walk. If you have finished, we ca go home. Type II unreal present If + Past Simple / Past Continuous Would/could/might + bare infinitive Situation unlikely to happen in present or future + used to give advice If I saw a ghost, I would run away. If I were you, I wouldn’t pay him.