CONDITIONAL SENTENCES

ZERO CONDITIONAL IF + SIMPLE PRESENT SIMPLE PRESENT

Used for scientific facts If you heat butter, it melts
or general truths If you put water in a cooler, it boils

a. IF + SIMPLE PRESENT FUTURE SIMPLE

1 CONDITIONAL
ST
(will+ infinitive/ won’t)
It’s used for things which If you study hard, you will pass the exam
are possible and may b. IF + SIMPLE PRESENT IMPERATIVE
happen If you are tired , have a seat
If you need help, call me

IF + SIMPLE PAST SIMPLE CONDITIONAL

2 CONDITIONAL
ND
(-ed / / 2nd form irreg.) would/ wouldn’t + infinitive
It’s used to talk about If I had time I would go on holidays
things which are unreal or (Si tuviese tiempo iría de vacaciones)
not possible. If he worked hard he would finish his project
(Si trabajase duro él terminaría su trabajo)
If the first verb is TO BE , WERE is used for all persons
If I were you I’d go to the doctor’s
(si fuese tú iría al médico)

3RD CONDITIONAL IF + PAST PERFECT PERFECT CONDITIONAL

It’s used to talk about
unreal situations in the
past, things which did not
happen in the past
(expresses regrets,
criticism )
( had + ed / 3rd form) would have + participle
-ed / 3rd form
If I had saved money I would have bought a laptop
( Si hubiese ahorrado habría comprado un portátil)

OTHER WAYS OF SAYING “IF”

UNLESS: It means IF NOT. That’s why it is always used with an affirmative verb
Unless it stops raining , we won’t go out
We won’t go our unless it stops raining.
We won’t go out if it doesn’t stop raining.
Supposing / suppose: supposing he comes tomorrow , will we still meet him?
As long as / so long as ( siempre que / a condición de que ) Indica limitación .
Providing that / provided that / on the condition that (siempre que / a condición de
que) e.g.: You can go out as long as / so long as/ provided that / on the condition that you
come back at twelve. (puedes salir siempre que / a condición de que , sólo si/ vuelves a las
doce.)
In Case ( por si) e.g. : Take an umbrella in case it rains. ( por si llueve)