Conditional Sentences

If Sentences
There are 4 main types of if sentences in English, often called
conditional sentences. These sentences are in two halves (clauses):
 the if part (if clause)
 the other part where you can use words such as can, will, may,
might, could and would (main clause)

Zero conditional
We use the zero conditional to talk about things that are always true.
 If you heat water, it boils.
 When the sun goes down, it gets dark.
 It lights up if you push that button.

The present simple is used in both clauses.

First conditional
We use the first conditional when we talk about real and possible situations.
 I’ll go shopping on the way home if I have time.
 If it’s a nice day tomorrow, we’ll go to the beach.
 If Arsenal win, they’ll be top of the league.

In first conditional sentences, the structure is usually if + present

simple and will + infinitive. It’s not important which clause comes first.

Second conditional
The second conditional is used to talk about ‘unreal’ or impossible things.
 If I won a lot of money, I’d buy a big house in the country.
 Where would you live if you could live anywhere in the world?
 If you didn’t smoke so much, you’d feel a lot better.

The structure is usually if + past simple and would + infinitive. It’s not
important which clause comes first.

Third conditional
We use the third conditional (if + past perfect, would + have + past participle)
to talk about something in the past that did not happen.
 If Tara had been free yesterday, I would have invited her.
 If they had not passed their exam, their teacher would have been sad.
 If it had rained yesterday, would you have stayed at home.
Complete the Conditional Sentences with 1. Choose the sentence with the
the correct verb form. meaning below.
1.If they (have) ……………time at the weekend, James is always lazy. He failed a
they will come to see us. test last week.
2. If we sneak out quietly,
nobody (notice)…………………  If you weren’t so lazy, you
3. If we (know)…………………… about your would have passed that test.
problem, we would have helped you.  If you hadn’t been so lazy,
4.If I (be)………………. you, I would not buy that you would pass that test.
dress.  If you weren’t so lazy, you
5. We (arrive)……….………… earlier if we had not would pass that test.
missed the bus.
2. Complete the sentence.
6. If I didn't have a mobile phone, my life (not /
If he ___ you an invoice, you should
be)………………… complete.
pay him.
7. Okay, I (get)………………… the popcorn if you  ‘s sent
buy the drinks.  would send
8. If I (tell)……………….. you a secret, you would  had sent
be sure to leak it.
9. She (go)……………………… out with you if you 3. Which sentence is correct?
had only asked her.  If you’d remembered to bring
10. I would not have read your diary if you (not a map, we wouldn’t be lost
hide) ………………………. it in such an obvious now.
place.  If you remembered to bring a
Complete the sentences map, we wouldn’t be lost now.
1-If he had taken my advice…  If you’d remembered to bring
……………………………………………………………………………. a map, we wouldn’t have
2-If you ate less… been lost now.
…………………………………………………………………………….
4. Choose the sentence with the
3-We´ll send for the doctor …
meaning below.
…………………………………………………………………………….
Paul drove too fast. Now he’s in
4-If she practised more…
trouble with the police.
…………………………………………………………………………….  If Paul hadn’t drive too fast,
5-If there isn`t enough wine in the bottle… he wouldn’t have been in
……………………………………………………………………………. trouble with the police.
6-If you had checked the petrol before we  If Paul didn’t drive too fast, he
started… wouldn’t be in trouble with
……………………………………………………………………………. the police.
7-They wouldn´t have broken up if…  If Paul hadn’t driven too fast,
……………………………………………………………………………. he wouldn’t be in trouble with
8-If these gates are locked…. the police.
…………………………………………………………………………….
9-If we leave before breakfast…
…………………………………………………………………………….
10-If the river rises any higher…
…………………………………………………………………………….