hey are called conditional sentences.

A conditional sentence consists of two clauses; the if-clause, and the main
clause. The if-clause can come first or second. When it comes first, we usually put a comma between the two
clauses.

There are 4 (four) types of conditional sentences, including mixed conditional.

1. Conditional Sentence Type 1

The if-clause is in the present tense, the main clause uses will and the infinitive, or simple present.
Conditional Sentence Type 1

TYPE IF CLAUSE MAIN CLAUSE MEANING

Simple present
True in the present or possible in
Simple present you succeed.
Type 1 future
If you work hard, Simple future
It’s possible to happen in the future
you will succeed.

When do we use conditional sentence type 1?

a. We use conditional sentence type 1 to talk about possible situations in the present or future.
o If you leave earlier, you will not be late.
o If you open the windows, the room will get some fresh air.
b. We often use conditional type 1 to talk about facts or processes:
o If you heat water to 100 degrees, it will boil.
o If we stare into the sun, we will hurt our eyes.

Note:

Other modal verbs can also be used in place of will and would.

o If it rains like this all day, the river might flood. (might = will possibly)
o If it rains like this all day, the river could flood. (could = will be able to)
Conditional Sentence Type 2

The if-clause is in the simple past or the past continuous tense, the main clause uses would and the
infinitive, or would be and the present participle (Verb-ing).
Conditional Sentence Type 2

TYPE IF CLAUSE MAIN CLAUSE MEANING

Untrue in the present
Simple past would + simple form
Fact: You don’t work hard, so you
If you worked hard, you would succeed.
Type 2 don’t succeed
Past continuous would be + present participle
Fact:It’s raining now, so I’m not going
If it were not rainingnow, I would be going out for a walk.
out for a walk.

When do we use conditional sentence type 2?

 Conditional sentence type 2 is used to talk about actions or situations that are not taking place in the
present or future, but we can imagine the probable result.

o If we didn’t live in a big city, we would not have to breathe polluted air everyday. (In truth, we
live in a big city)
o If he were here, I would tell him about my plan.
(In fact, he isn’t here)

Note:

 ‘Were’ is used for both singular and plural subjects.

 The use of type 2 conditional in “If I were you, I would ………” is a common form of advice.
Conditional Sentence Type 3

The if-clause is in the past perfect or the past perfect continuous tense, the main clause useswould
have and past participle (Verb 3), or would have been and present participle (Verb-ing).
Conditional Sentence Type 3

TYPE IF CLAUSE MAIN CLAUSE MEANING

Past perfect would have + past participle Untrue in the past
If you had workedhard, you would have succeeded. Fact: You didn’t work hard, so you
Past perfect continuous would have been + present didn’t succeed.
Type 3
If it had not been participle Fact: It was raining yesterday
raining yesterday I would have been goingout for a afternoon. I was not going out for a
afternoon, walk. walk.

When do we use conditional sentence type 3?

Conditional sentence type 3 is used to talk about actions or situations that did not take or were not
taking place in the past, but we can imagine the probable result.

o If you had come to the party last night, you would have met my cousin. (In truth, you didn’t
come to the party last night)
o If he had not been late this morning, his teacher would not have punished him. (In truth, he was
late)
Mixed Conditional Sentence

Mixed conditional sentence is a combination of conditional sentence type 2 and conditional sentence
type 3.
Mixed Conditional Sentence

TYPE IF CLAUSE MAIN CLAUSE MEANING

Untrue in the present or future.
would have + past participle
Simple past Fact: I am not a bird, so I didn’t fly to
I would have flown to your place
Mixed If I were a bird, your place.
last night.
Type Past perfect Untrue in the past.
would + simple form
If you had workedhard, Fact: You didn’t work hard. Now, you
you would succeed.
don’t succeed.
 When do we use mixed conditional sentence?

Mixed conditional sentence is used to talk about actions or situations that did not take or were not taking
place in the past, but we can imagine the probable result in the present, or actions or situations that do
not take place in the present, but we can imagine the probable result in the past.

o If you lived near the factory, you would have heard the sound of the explosion. (In truth, you
don’t live near the factory. Therefore, you didn't hear the sound of the explosion.)
o If he had not been late this morning, he would be permitted to join the test. (In truth, he was
late. Therefore, he is not permitted to join the test.)

To do the exercise or test on conditional sentences, read and download (free) Interactive Grammar Test:
Conditional Sentence.
To read how conditional sentence is used as a testing point in TOEFL Test, please read Tips TOEFL: Strategi
Mengerjakan Test TOEFL Dengan Mengenali Testing Point.