Conditionals

1) Real conditions
Type 1 (real possibility)
A) Zero: facts, present situations that are always true.
If+ Present Simple, Present Simple
Ex: If you work hard you enjoy life more.
B) First: likely or possible situations
If+ Present Simple, will+ infinitive
Ex: If I study hard, I will pass the exam.
If you read this report, you will understand our situation much better.
2) Unreal or hypothetical consitions
Type 2 (improbable)
C) Second: Unlikely or imaginary situations in the present or future. We
use it to talk about imagined events in the future, which are
impossible or unlikely.
If+ Past Simple, would+ infinitive
Ex: If I were you, I would study for the exam.
If I won the lottery, I would buy a car.
Type 3 (contrary to fact)
D) Third: Regrets or imaginary situations in the past. We use it to talk
about unreal situations in the past and their consequences that did
not happen.
If+Past Perfect, would+ have+past participle.
Ex: If I had token French classes, I would have had that job.
If we hadnt left, we could have seen the end of the film.

MIXED CONDITIONALS
(Present) 2 Type If+ Simple Past , would+ inf

(Past)

3 Type If+ Past Perfect, would+ have+ Past Particple

TYPE I
If+Past Perfect, would+infinitive
I liked drawing when I was a child. I am a graphic designer.

Past situation

Present situation

Ex: If I hadnt liked drawing when I was a child, I wouldnt be a graphic

designer.
3 conditional

2 conditional

TYPE II
If+ Past Simple, would+ have+ past participle
I dont like romantic films. I didnt watch P.S I love you on the TV last
night.
Present situation

Past situation

Ex: If I liked romantic films, I would have watched P.S I love you on the
TV last night.
2 conditional

3 Conditional

Subject- operator inversion: had (past perfect)- were should

1) If I had known, I would have protested strongly.
Had I known, I would have protested strongly.
2) If she were my daughter, I would have punished her.
Were she my daughter, I would have punished her.
3) If you should hear anything, let me know.
Should you hear anything let me know.

1) Only if: to emphasize a special condition

Ex: I will go to the party only if you ask me to go.
2) If and if only: more emphatic
Ex: Well start playing if and if only Mark is ready for it.
3) If only: expresses whishes
Ex: If only I could talk to him again, Id tell him how much I love him.
4) Even if: a condition that may exist, but wont affect the future or a
possible situation in the man clause
Ex: Even if they do go down with flu after theyve had the vaccination, it
s likely to be less serious.
5) Even though: a condition that wont affect the past or present situation
in the main clause
6) Unless: except under the following circumstances, except if

Ex: Unless you reserve a ticket, you wont get a seat.

7) Whether (or not): when there are options
Ex: Whether we win or lose, we always enjoy playing.
8) If so, if not: to refer back to something already mentioned
Ex: Some books may have missing pages, if so, they can be exchanged.
9) Assuming, given providing (that), provided (that), otherwise,
suppose, supposing, as long as, so long as: synonyms of if.