CONDITIONAL CLAUSES
Conditionals always have two parts: the Main Clause and the IF Clause (When the If Clause goes first, it is followed by a comma, but you can also put the Main Clause first without using a comma between the clauses.)
Conditional Conjunctions: IF is the most common one. Others are: As long as Provided/ Providing (that) UNLESS = If not
(0 &) 1st Type Conditional (Real Possibility) It is used for real - or possible - situations. The If Clause goes in the Present Tense (usually Simple): If you want , … If you are late again, … If you have done your homework, …
The Main Clause can go in: - Present Tense - Imperative - Present Modal Verb: can, may, must. But usually in - FUTURE SIMPLE: If you want, I’ll help you I’ll be angry if you’re late again If you’ve done your homework, you can go out
UNLESS is the opposite of “If”: If she doesn’t call soon, I’ll be angry = Unless she calls soon, I’ll be angry. He will be late if he doesn’t hurry up = He will be late unless he hurries up
2nd Type Conditional Often called the "unreal" conditional because it is used for unreal - impossible or improbable - situations. This conditional provides an imaginary result for a given situation.
- Simple Past Tense Conditional Tense: The If Clause goes in - Simple Past Tense The verb 'to be', when used in the 2nd conditional, is usually conjugated as 'were'. The Main Clause goes in Conditional Tense: Would(n’t) + infinitive (Could or Might are also possible but less common) If I were you, I’d go to the doctor’s. If he studied more, he’d pass all his subjects. They would buy a new house if they had more money.
3rd Type Conditional Known as the "past" conditional because it refers only to past situations with hypothetical results.
WOULD(N’T) (Could/ Might) HAVE + Past Participle The If Clause goes in Past Perfect The Main Clause takes: WOULD(N’T) (Could/ Might) HAVE + Past Participle He would have found a new job if he had tried. We wouldn’t have seen this film if you hadn’t told me about it. If you had studied for the exam, you would have passed.