There are three types of conditional sentences.

type condition

I condition possible to fulfill

II condition in theory possible to fulfill

III condition not possible to fulfill (too late)

1. Form

type if-clause main clause

I Simple Present will-future or (Modal + infinitive)

II Simple Past would + infinitive *

III Past Perfect would + have + past participle *

2. Examples (if-clause at the beginning)

type if clause main clause

I 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.

3. Examples (if-clause at the end)

type main clause if-clause

I I will pass the exam if I study.

II I would pass the exam if I studied.

III I would have passed the exam if I had studied.

4. 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.

I
If I study, I will not fail the exam. If I study, I won't fail the exam.
-
If I do not study, I will 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.

II
If I studied, I would not fail the exam.
If I studied, I wouldn't fail the exam.
- If I did not study, I would fail the
If I didn't study, I'd fail the exam.
exam.

If I had studied, I would have If I'd studied, I'd have passed the
+
passed the exam. exam.

III
If I had studied, I would not have If I'd studied, I wouldn't have
failed the exam. failed the exam.
-
If I had not studied, I would have If I hadn't studied, I'd have
failed the exam. failed the exam.
 * We can substitute could or might for would (should, may or must are sometimes
possible, too).

 I would pass the exam.

 I could pass the exam.

 I might pass the exam.

 I may pass the exam.

 I should pass the exam.

 I must pass the exam.

Zero conditional
The zero conditional describes situations that are always true. If has the same meaning
as when or whenever.
If I go to school, I get up at seven. (Whenever I go to school I get up at the same time.)
If you park your car on double yellow lines, you pay a fine. (Whenever you park illegally, you pay a
fine.)
We use the present simple tense in both the main clauses and the if clauses.

First conditional
The first conditional sentences are used to speculate about possible situations that can really
happen at present or in future. We do not use will in the if clause to describe future activities
(compare it to time clauses).
If he studies hard, he'll pass the exams.
If we catch the 10.15 train, we will arrive on time.
If you don't get the ticket, what will you do?
We make if clauses with if + present tense and main clauses with will + bare infinitive.

Second conditional
In the second conditional sentences we speculate about situations that will probably never happen at
present or in future.
If I had more time, I would help you. (But I am not free at the moment. I can't help you).
If I won a million dollars, I would start a business of my own. (But I know that it is not realistic.)
We make if clauses with if + past tense and main clauses with would + bare infinitive.

Note: the verb to be can be specific in the if clause.

If I were rich, I wouldn't work. If he were younger, he would marry her.
(But was is also possible: If I was rich, I wouldn't work. If he was younger, he would marry her.)
But: If I were you, I wouldn't do it. (In this expression, were is much more usual than was.)

The main difference between the first conditional and the second conditional is about probability: the
first conditional is realistic, the second conditional is unrealistic.
Sometimes we can use both with the following difference in meaning.
If I see him, I will tell him. (I suppose I will see him, because we go to the same school.)
If I saw him, I would tell him. (I don't think I will see him, because he is ill.)
If I need your help, I'll call you. (It is probable that I will need your help.)
If I needed your help, I'd call you. (It is not very probable that I will need your help.)

Sometimes we must use either the first conditional or the second conditional to make it clear that the
situation is real or unreal.
If you get up late, you will miss your bus. (A real situation.)
If I came from your country, I would understand your problems. (An unreal situation - I am not from
your country.)

Third conditional
The third conditional sentences always refer to the past. We speculate about situations that
happened or did not happen in the past.
If I had won a million, I would have started a business of my own. (But I didn't win anything.)
If he had met her, he would have told her. (Unfortunately, he didn't meet her.)
If we hadn't practised, we wouldn't have won the match. (But we practised and won.)
We make if clauses with if + past perfect and main clauses with would + perfect infinitive (have +
past participle).

Other forms

Apart from the basic structures described above, we can also make different combinations.

Examples - type 1:
If you have finished your dinner, you can ask for the bill.
If you are feeling tired, take a rest.
If he is a good skier, he might make it.
If you want to be slim, you should eat less.
If you meet her, could you let me know?

Examples - type 2:
If I knew his address, I might go and see him.
If we were on holiday, we would be lying on a beach now.
Why are we watching this film? If we were watching the news, it would be more interesting.

Examples - type 3:
We didn't save any money. If we had saved some money, we might have bought the house.
She wasn't there and I wasn't sitting next to her. But if she had been there, I would have been sitting
next to her.
I was looking at the trees when I fell off the bike. If I hadn't been looking at the trees, I wouldn' t have
fallen off the bike.

Mixed conditionals
In the mixed conditional sentences we can combine the second and third conditional.
If he had left immediately, he would be here now. (He didn't leave immediately and isn't here.)
If I had studied hard when I was young, I wouldn't be a porter now. (I didn't study and I am a porter.)
If we hadn't told him the way while he was preparing for his journey, he would get lost now. (We told
him and he isn't lost.)

Inverted conditionals
We can also make conditional sentences by changing the word order in the if clause.
Had he booked the hotel room, he wouln't have slept at the camp. (If he had booked... )
Were I in your position, I would accept it. (If I were ... )
This is less common, quite formal and is mostly used in writing.

Note

If is the most frequent expression in the if clauses, but other expressions are also possible: even if,
provided (that), unless, on condition (that), as long as.

Examples:
You will leave tonight even if you don't want to.
You can have your birthday party provided that you aren't noisy.
We'll sell you the ranch on condition you pay in cash.
Unless you do something, she won't come back. (If you don't do anything, ... )
Type I&II
1. If you come with me, I (to do) the shopping with you.
2. Walter (to help) his mother in the garden if she reads him a story this
evening.
3. If it (to rain), I will stay at home.
4. Our teacher will be happy if we (to learn) the poem by heart.
5. If they had enough money, they (to buy) a new car.
6. We (to pass) the exam if we studied harder.
7. If Pat (to repair) his bike, he could go on a bicycle tour with us.
8. She would get 100 pounds if she (to sell) this old shelf.
9. If I was/were you, I (to invite) Jack to the party.
10. If the weather (to be) fine, the children can walk to school.
11. If Tracy had a mobile phone, she (to phone) all her friends.
12. I (to be) very angry with Nick if he forgets my CD again.
13. If the boys (to win) this match, their coach will invite them to a
barbecue.
14. If you don't read these articles, you (not/to know) the facts about
Africa.
15. You would get very wet if you (to walk) in this rain.
16. The engine (not/to start) if Ben connected these two cables.
17. If he has time, he (to buy) her some sweets.
18. Maria (to play) in the school orchestra if she practised the trumpet
more often.
19. We won't fetch something to drink if Jim (not/to bring) some
sandwiches.
20. If he (to carry) the rucksack, I'd pull the suitcase.

Type III

1. If the weather (to be) nice, they (to

play)football.
2. If we (to go) to a good restaurant, we (to
have) a better dinner.
3. If John (to learn) more words, he (to write) a
good report.
4. If the boys (to take) the bus to school, they (to
arrive) on time.
5. If the teacher (to explain) the homework, I (to
do) it.
6. If they (to wait) for another 10 minutes, they (to
see) the pop star.
7. If the police (to come) earlier, they (to
arrest)the burglar.
8. If you (to buy) fresh green vegetable, your
salad (to taste) better.
9. If Alex (to ask) me, I (to email) the documents.
10. If he (to speak) more slowy, Peggy (to
understand) him.
11. If you (to check) the car, it (not/to
break)down in the middle of the desert.
12. If it (not/to rain), the children (to
play)outside.
13. If my parents (not/to be) so tired, they (to
watch) the film on TV.
14. If she (to buy) a new hard disk, she (not/to
lose) all data.
15. If we (to use) the town map, we (not/to
get)lost.
16. If Tom (to eat) more salad, he (not/to
catch)a cold.
17. If the police (not/to stop) me, I (to
reach)you in time.
18. If his older brother (not/to drive) so fast, he
(not/to crash) into the other car.
19. If Fred (not/to cheat) at the test, his teacher
(not/to phone) his father.
 20. If I (not/to switch off) the radio, I (to
know)about the second goal.
All types

1. If we meet at 9:30, we (to have) plenty of time.

2. Lisa would find the milk if she (to look) in the fridge.
3. The zookeeper would have punished her with a fine if she (to
feed) the animals.
4. If you spoke louder, your classmates (to understand) you.
5. Dan (to arrive) safe if he drove slowly.
6. You (to have) no trouble at school if you had done your homework.
7. If you (to swim) in this lake, you'll shiver from cold.
8. The door will unlock if you (to press) the green button.
9. If Mel (to ask) her teacher, he'd have answered her questions.
10. I (to call) the office if I was/were you.
if-clauses, type I
Complete the sentences.

1. If it (rain) , we (stay) at home.

2. If you (know/not) the way, I (pick) you up.
3. My mum (bake) a cake if you (come) to see us.

if-clauses, type II
Complete the sentences.

1. If you (study) harder, you (get) better marks in your tests.

2. If I (be) rich, I (travel) around the world.
3. She (come) to the market with us if she (have/not) to work.

if-clauses, type III

Complete the sentences.

1. If you (help) us, we (finish) the work in next to no time.

2. I (call) you earlier if I (lose/not) your phone number.
3. They (go/not) to the theatre by car if the weather (be) better.
 Conditional Sentences Type I
1. If it (rain /still - action going on now) , (stay - imperative) here for
another while.

2. If it (stop - completed action) raining, we (go - future) .

3. If it (start - fact) raining, we always (close - fact) the windows.

4. If it (rain / should - not very likely) , please (close - imperative) the

windows.

5. If it (rain - future action) , the windows (must / close - passive voice) .

Conditional Sentences Type II

Study the following situations. In every sentence, the 'if' clause expresses a general
situation in the present (Type II). Decide, however, whether the consequences refer to
the present (Conditional I) or past (Conditional II).

1. I am trying to reach Sue on the phone now, but I'm afraid she is not there because …
If she (be) at the office, she (answer) the phone.
2. A couple of minutes ago, I tried to reach Sue on the phone, but I'm afraid she is not there
because …
If she (be) at the office, she (answer) the phone.
3. I want to ring a friend now, but I don't know his phone number.
If I (know) his phone number, I (ring) him.
4. A week ago, I wanted to ring a friend, but I don't know his phone number.
If I (know) his phone number, I (ring) him.
5. A friend tells me what she is planning to do. I don't think what she is planning is a good
idea.
If I (be) you, I (do / not) this.
6. A friend tells me what she did. I don't think what she did was a good idea.
If I (be) you, I (do / not) this.
7. Somebody tells me that Sarah is on holiday in Italy at the moment. This cannot be true
because I'm seeing her in town tonight.
If Sarah (be) in Italy, I (see / not) her in town tonight.
8. Somebody tells me that Sarah is on holiday in Italy at the moment. This cannot be true
because I saw her in town last night.
If Sarah (be) in Italy, I (see / not) her in town last night.
9. My brother feels like he is getting the flu. I tell him …
You (get / not) the flu if you (eat) more fruit.
10. A few weeks ago, my brother had the flu. I tell him …
You (get / not) the flu if you (eat) more fruit.

Conditional Sentences Type III

Study the following situations. In every sentence, the 'if' clause expresses a situation in
the past (Type III). Decide, however, whether the consequences refer to the present
(Conditional I) or past (Conditional II).

1. It didn't rain yesterday. So I had to water the plants yesterday.

If it (rain) yesterday, I (water / not) the plants.
2. It didn't rain yesterday. So I am watering the plants now.
If it (rain) yesterday, I (water / not) the plants now.
3. I went to bed late last night. So I am still tired now.
If I (go) to bed earlier yesterday, I (feel / not) so tired now.
4. I went to bed late last Tuesday. So I was very tired the following day.
If I (go) to bed earlier that Tuesday, I (feel / not) that tired the
following day.
5. After a night out, I want to drive home now. I haven't drunk any alcohol.
If I (drink) alcohol, I (drive / not) .
6. After a night out last weekend, I drove home. I hadn't drunk any alcohol.
If I (drink) alcohol, I (drive / not) .
7. We won the match last week. So when we came home, we looked really happy.
We (look / not) that happy if we (win / not) the match.
8. We've just won a match. So we look really happy now.
We (look / not) that happy if we (win / not) the match.
9. My daughter is blamed for having done something. She tells me now that she didn't do it. I
believe her.
She (tell) me if she (do) it.
10. Last year, my daughter was blamed for having done something. She told me that she
hadn't done it. I believed her.
She (tell) me if she (do) it.
 Complete the Conditional Sentences (Type III) by putting the verbs into the correct
form. Use conditional II with would in the main clause.

had studied w ould have

1. If you (study) for the test, you (pass) it.

2. If you (ask) me, I (help) you.

3. If we (go) to the cinema, we (see) my friend Jacob.

4. If you (speak) English, she (understand) .

5. If they (listen) to me, we (be) home earlier.

6. I (write) you a postcard if I (have) your address.

7. If I (not / break) my leg, I (take part) in the contest.

8. If it (not/ start) to rain, we (walk) to the museum.

9. We (swim) in the sea if there (not / be) so many sharks there.

10. If she (take) the bus, she (not / arrive) on time.

Complete the Conditional Sentences (Type II) by putting the verbs into the correct form.
Use conditional I with would in the main clause.

had w ould sail

1. If we (have) a yacht, we (sail) the seven seas.

2. If he (have) more time, he (learn) karate.

3. If they (tell) their father, he (be) very angry.

4. She (spend) a year in the USA if it (be) easier to get a green card.

5. If I (live) on a lonely island, I (run) around naked all day.

6. We (help) you if we (know) how.

7. My brother (buy) a sports car if he (have) the money.

8. If I (feel) better, I (go) to the cinema with you.

9. If you (go) by bike more often, you (be / not) so flabby.

10. She (not / talk) to you if she (be) mad at you.

II&III

I don't know his address. I can't contact him.

But if I his address, I him.

He was ill. He couldn't go skiing.

But if he ill, he skiing.

He didn't buy any tomatoes. I couldn't make a salad.

But if he some tomatoes, I a salad.

We haven't enough room in our house. You can't stay with us.
But if we enough room, you with us.

You were not lucky. You didn't win.

But if you lucky, you .

I am eighteen. I can vote.

But if eighteen, I .