The Zero Conditional

We use the zero conditional to talk about permanent truths, such as scientific facts, and general
habits.

The structure is simple:

Here are some examples:

If you heat water to 100°, it boils.

If you eat a lot, you put on weight.

If it doesn’t rain for a long time, the earth gets very dry.

If we go out with friends, we normally go to a restaurant.

If I’m tired, I go to bed early.

The First Conditional

We use the first conditional to talk about a realistic situation in the present or future.

The structure of the first conditional is as follows:

Here are some examples:

If you’re free later, we can go for a walk.

If they’re hungry, I’ll make some sandwiches.

If you’re not back by 5pm, give me a ring.

If he studies hard, he’ll do well in the exam.

If we arrive late, we must get a taxi.

He’ll call if he needs help.

Take a break if you’re tired.

Another way to make first conditional sentences is to use ‘unless’ which means ‘only if’ or
‘except’. As with ‘if’, the word ‘unless’ can never be followed by ‘will’ but only by the present
simple.
For example:

Unless you hurry up, you won’t catch the bus.

I’ll carry on doing this work, unless my boss tells me to do something else.

We’ll stay at home unless the weather improves.

The Second Conditional

We use the second conditional to talk about improbable or impossible situations in the present or
future.

Here is the structure:

For example:

If I had more time, I’d exercise more. (But I don’t have more time so I don’t.)

If I were rich, I’d spend all my time travelling. (But I’m not rich so I can’t.)

If she saw a snake, she’d be terrified.

If he didn’t have to work late, he could go out with his girlfriend.

What would you do if you were offered a job in Canada?

You wouldn’t have to walk everywhere if you bought a bike.

A common expression used to give advice has the second conditional structure. The expression is
‘If I were you, I’d..’, meaning ‘in your situation, this is what I would do’.

For example:

A: I’ve got a headache.

B: If I were you, I’d take an aspirin.

A: I don’t understand this.

B: If I were you, I’d ask your teacher for help.

A: This order won’t be delivered on time.

B: If I were you, I’d phone the customer to let them know.

The Third Conditional

We use the third conditional to talk about impossible situations but in the past. Moreover, we often
use the third conditional to describe regrets.

The structure is:

Here are some examples:

If we had left earlier, we would have arrived on time.

If you hadn’t forgotten her birthday, she wouldn’t have been upset.

If they had booked earlier, they could have found better seats.

If I hadn’t learnt English, I wouldn’t have got this job.

What would you have studied if you hadn’t done engineering?

They wouldn’t have hired you if you hadn’t had some experience abroad.

You could have helped me if you’d stayed later.

vWishes
 Mixed conditional

If-clause Main Clause

Type 2 Type 3
If you were less careless, You wouldn‘t have made so manny silly
mistakes in your project.
Type 3 Type 2
If I hadn‘t left my wallet at home, I would have some money with me now.

Present result of a past condition

Type 3 + Type 2

Form

If clause (condition) Main clause (result)

If + past perfect present conditional
If this thing had happened that thing would happen.

Examples

If I had worked harder at school, I would have a better job now.

I would have a better job now if I had worked harder at school.

If we had looked at the map we wouldn't be lost.

We wouldn't be lost if we had looked at the map.

If you had caught that plane you would be dead now.

You would be dead now if you had caught that plane.

Function

Šis mišrių sąlygos sakinių tipas reiškia nerealią praeities sąlygą ir galimą jos rezultatą dabartyje. Šie
sakiniai išreiškia situaciją, kuri prieštarauja tikrovei tiek praeityje, tiek dabartyje.

Examples:

If I had studied I would have my driving license. (but I didn't study and now I don't have my license)

I would be a millionaire now if I had taken that job. (but I didn't take the job and I'm not a
millionaire)

If you had spent all your money, you wouldn't buy this jacket. (but you didn't spend all your money
and now you can buy this jacket)

In these mixed conditional sentences, you can also use modals in the main clause instead of would
to express the degree of certainty, permission, or a recommendation about the outcome.

Examples

If you had crashed the car, you might be in trouble.

I could be a millionaire now if I had invested in ABC Plumbing.

If I had learned to ski, I might be on the slopes right now.

Past result of present or continuing condition

Type 2 + Type 3

Form

If clause (condition) Main clause (result)

If + simple past perfect conditional

If this thing happened that thing would have happened.

Examples

If I wasn't afraid of spiders, I would have picked it up.

I would have picked it up if I wasn't afraid of spiders.

If we didn't trust him we would have sacked him months ago.

We would have sacked him months ago if we didn't trust him.

If I wasn't in the middle of another meeting, I would have been happy to help you.

I would have been happy to help you if I wasn't in the middle of another meeting.

Function

Šie mišrūs sąlyginiai sakiniai nurodo nerealią dabarties situaciją ir jos galimą (bet nerealų) praeities
rezultatą.

In these mixed conditional sentences, the time in the if clause is now or always and the time in the
main clause is before now. For example, "If I wasn't afraid of spiders" is contrary to present reality. I
am afraid of spiders. "I would have picked it up" is contrary to past reality. I didn't pick it up.

Examples

If she wasn't afraid of flying she wouldn't have travelled by boat.

I'd have been able to translate the letter if my Italian was better.

If I was a good cook, I'd have invited them to lunch.

If the elephant wasn't in love with the mouse, she'd have trodden on him by now.

Exceptions and Special Cases When Using Conditional Sentences

Use of the Simple Future in the If-Clause

Generally speaking, the simple future should be used only in the main clause. One exception is when
the action in the if-clause will take place after the action in the main clause. For example, consider
the following sentence:

If aspirin will ease my headache, I will take a couple tonight.

The action in the if-clause is the aspirin easing the headache, which will take place only after the
speaker takes them later that night.

“Were to” in the If-Clause

The verb phrase were to is sometimes used in conditional sentences when the likely or unlikely
result is particularly awful or unthinkable. In this case, were to is used to place emphasis on this
potential outcome. Consider these sentences:

If I were to be sick, I would miss another day of work.

If she were to be late again, she would have to have a conference with the manager.

If the rent were to have been a penny more, they would not have been able to pay it.

Note that the emphatic “were to” can be used to describe hypothetical scenarios in the present,
future, and past.

Punctuating Conditional Sentences

(šitą žinoti būtina)

Use a comma after the if-clause when the if-clause precedes the main clause.

If I’d had time, I would have cleaned the house.

If the main clause precedes the if-clause, no punctuation is necessary.

I would have cleaned the house if I’d had time.