type

Conditional sentences

condition

if-clause
I

condition possible to fulfill

II

condition in theory possible to fulfill

main clause
condition not possible to fulfill (too
late)

III

type

Simple Present

will-future or (Modal + infinitive)

II

Simple Past

would + infinitive *

III

Past Perfect

would + have + past participle *

Examples (if-clause at the beginning)

type

if clause

main clause

If I study,

I will pass the exam.

II

If I studied,

I would pass the exam.

III

If I had studied,

I would have passed the exam.

Examples (if-clause at the end)

type

main clause

if-clause

I will pass the exam

if I study.

type

main clause

if-clause

II

I would pass the exam

if I studied.

III

I would have passed the exam

if I had studied.

Examples (affirmative and negative sentences)

type

Examples

long forms

short/contracted forms

If I study, I will pass the exam.

If I study, I'll pass the exam.

If I study, I will not fail the exam.

If I do not study, I will fail the exam.

If I study, I won't fail the exam.

If I don't study, I'll fail the exam.

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 did not study, I would fail the exam.

If I studied, I wouldn't 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.

If I had studied, I would not have failed the

exam.
If I had not studied, I would have failed the
exam.

If I'd studied, I wouldn't have failed the

exam.
If I hadn't studied, I'd have failed the exam.

II

III

Exercise on If Clauses
Complete the sentences.
1.

If your conditions are competitive, we (place)

2.

If I had more time, I (do)

an order.

a course in business English.

3.

If we had known more about their culture, negotiating (be)

4.

If you (customize)

5.

We (cancel)

6.

If Brittany (speak)

7.

If you (tell)

8.

I (let)

9.

If you execute the order carelessly, they (place / not)

your CV, your chances of getting a job will be better.

our order if you don't deliver the goods by Friday.
better English, she would apply for a job abroad.
me about the problem, I would have helped you.
you know if I weren't satisfied.

future.
10.

easier.

If I were you, I (worry / not)

about the presentation.

another order with you in the