If clauses are conveniently classified into three groups:

TYPE 1: Type 1 conditional sentences are used to talk about a possible future action or situation: Ex: If he studies hard, he will get good marks. If Mark receives Katies e-mail, he will understand her problem.

IF + Simple Present + Simple Future

TYPE 2: Type 2 conditional sentences are used to talk about situations that are hypothetical, unreal or impossible. Ex: If I had money, I would buy a computer. If you had a Robot, what would you do?

IF + Simple Past + Present Conditional

TYPE 3: Type 3 conditional sentences express a situation, which is contrary to reality in the past. They express hypothetical and impossible action or situation, describing things that did not happen. EX: If I had bought a robot, he would have done my homework.

IF + Past Perfect + Past Conditional

IF with Modal verbs: You can use modal verbs with all types of conditional sentences. Always true - If I understand your problems, I can help you. Possible - You must buy a robot if you want to increase production. Unlikely in the present or future We could help you if we knew how to use a computer. Imaginary in the past If we had gone to Japan, we could have seen ASIMOs presentation.