This document summarizes different types of conditionals in English. It provides a table that outlines 4 types of conditionals based on the verb tenses used in the if-clause and main clause. Type 0 conditionals express scientific facts. Type 1 conditionals express possible outcomes in the present or future. Type 2 conditionals express unlikely or hypothetical situations. Type 3 conditionals express impossible or unlikely past situations.
This document summarizes different types of conditionals in English. It provides a table that outlines 4 types of conditionals based on the verb tenses used in the if-clause and main clause. Type 0 conditionals express scientific facts. Type 1 conditionals express possible outcomes in the present or future. Type 2 conditionals express unlikely or hypothetical situations. Type 3 conditionals express impossible or unlikely past situations.
This document summarizes different types of conditionals in English. It provides a table that outlines 4 types of conditionals based on the verb tenses used in the if-clause and main clause. Type 0 conditionals express scientific facts. Type 1 conditionals express possible outcomes in the present or future. Type 2 conditionals express unlikely or hypothetical situations. Type 3 conditionals express impossible or unlikely past situations.
When in if This is the condition result /consequence / effect type
time (if clause) (main clause) Verb tense: SIMPLE Verb tense: SIMPLE PRESENT PRESENT/CONTINUOUS always If/ you heat ice it melts and turns into water. ‘0’ SCIENTIFIC TRUTH When I play tennis with John I always win. PERSONAL TRUTH I am studying I never answer the phone. Verb tense: SIMPLE PRESENT Verb tense: SIMPLE FUTURE (WILL + base verb of verb) or MODAL + BASE FORM Present you don’t leave I will/shall call the police. Certain / If it rains tomorrow the match will be cancelled. ‘1’ / future you think she is ill you should call the doctor. Probable he is interested in the idea he might ask us to do a demonstration. / you want to lose weight you must/should exercise more. Possible you see Mary could you ask her to call me?
Verb tense: SIMPLE PAST Verb tense: MODAL (usually would) +
(subjunctive – one step back in time) BASE FORM OF VERB Present If I had time ‘2’ Improbable I would call Mary. / John were here hypothetical he would help us. future I were you I would tell him the truth. he had a work permit He could get a job here. I knew Mary’s number I could phone and ask her to come. Verb tense: PAST PERFECT Verb tense: MODAL (usually would) + SIMPLE/CONTINUOUS PERFECT INFINITIVE past I’d known about your party I would have come. ‘3’ If we hadn’t eaten so much we wouldn’t have been so ill. Impossible John had found her earlier he could have saved her life.(ability) hypothetical John had found her earlier I he might have saved her life.(possibility) hadn’t been driving so fast I wouldn’t have had the accident. I hadn’t been wearing a seatbelt I would (certainty) / could (probability) / might (possibility) have been seriously injured when I crashed into the wall.
This table does not take into account all verb constructions in the conditional. However, it covers more possibilities than usually found in worksheets of this type.