Form Function

Meaning
by: Morata, Kadusale, Jocson, Enerio
 IF CLAUSE MAIN CLAUSE
0 IF + present simple
present simple,
1st IF +
present simple, will + infinitive

2nd IF + would + infinitve

present simple,
IF + would have + past
3rd present simple, participle
mixed
 If it rains, I If I don’t see If I had a
take an you later, I million dollars, I
umbrella with won’t be able would buy a
me to work. to say hello. mansion.

If it had rained If I had finished

last week, the college, I would
plants would not be a doctor now.
have died.
FORM
Zero Conditional if/when + present + present/imperative
if/when + past + past

We use the Zero or Real Conditional to talk

about things that are generally true in the
present or in the past, in particular laws and
rules, or to give instructions if a condition is met.

If I eat too much chocolate, I feel sick.

If you mix red and blue, you get purple.
It gets cold here when the sun goes down.
If you leave ice cream in the sun, it will melt.

The terms "present" and "past" are used instead of "present tense (simple or continuous)" and
"past tense (simple or continuous"), for the sake of simplicity.
First Conditional if/when + present + future simple/
modal verbs with future meaning

We use the First Conditional to talk about

future situations we think are likely or
probable to happen.

If it rains tomorrow, we won't go camping.

I can't go out if I don't finish my homework.

If you pay attention, you may see a shooting

star.
They might arrive on time if there isn't
much traffic.
Second Conditional if+ past simple + modal verb with
future-in-the-past meaning

We use the Second Conditional to talk about

present or future situations we think are
impossible or unlikely to happen.

I might work harder if they paid me better.

If you really wanted to help, you would be

trying harder.
If you studied harder, you could do better
at school.
If I were* you, I'd tell my parents the truth.

*We use "were" with all subject pronouns in the Second Conditional (Subjunctive mood).
Third Conditional if + past perfect + future-in-the-past
modal verbs + have + past participle

We use the Third Conditional to

imagine a different past, in which
something did or didn't happen, and we
also imagine a different result.

You wouldn't have cut your head if you had been

wearing a safety helmet.

If I hadn't lost my job, I could have been promoted.

If she had seen anything, she would have told the

police.
Mixed Conditionals mixed second and third conditionals

This type of sentence combines a second

conditional sentence with a third
conditional sentence. We imagine a past
change with a present result or a
present change with a past result.

Past change with present result:

If I had gone to bed earlier last night, I wouldn't be so
tired now.

Present change with past result:

I can't do this alone. If I could, I wouldn't have called
you!
Other expressions unless/as long as/so long as/provided
(that)/providing (that)/on condition that

We can use other expressions if we want to

set specific conditions or limits on a
situation.

You become dehydrated unless you drink enough

water (= if you don't drink enough water).

I feel safe as long as you are with me.

You can go out providing (that) you've tidied your

room.
My parents will let me go to the party on condition
that I pass all my exams.
MEANING
 Conditionals are grammatical structures used to
express the relationship between a condition (an event
or situation that may or may not happen) and its
potential consequence (the result or outcome that
depends on the condition). These structures allow
speakers and writers to convey a wide range of
meanings, including real or hypothetical situations,
possibilities, probabilities, and unreal or
counterfactual scenarios.
FUNCTION
 Function

Express a fact or has the If it rains, you will get

Zero Conditional
same results wet.

if we sleep early tonight,

Express a realistic future
First Conditional we will wake up early
consequence
tomorrow.

Express an unlikely or If you brought an umbrella,

Second Conditional impossible future you would not get burnt
consequence from the sun.

Express an unrealistic If you had listened, you

Third Conditional past consequence would have understood.
 Notes

"If I was" or "If I were"?

If I/he/she/it were is used when we refer to a hypothetical situation.

This is a second conditional sentence, in which the verb in the
conditional clause is in the subjunctive mood.
If I were you, I'd be more careful.

If I/he/she/it was is used when we refer to a real situation. This is a

real or zero conditional sentence, in which the verb in the conditional
clause is in the indicative mood.
If I was rude, please forgive me.
 Notes

Verb Forms

The verbs in the conditional clause may be in the

simple or continuous forms, with a difference in
the meaning, either in the present or the past.

If I cook, you do the dishes.

If I'm cooking, please don't come near the oven.

f I were mugged, I'd go to the police immediately.

If I were being mugged, I wouldn't fight back. It could
be even more dangerous.
 Notes

The use of the comma

When the if clause comes before the main clause,

it is followed by a comma.
If you don't hurry, you'll miss the plane!

When the if clause comes after the main clause,

there is no comma between the clauses.
You'll miss the plane if you don't hurry!
 Summary

Zero or Real First Second Third Mixed

possible or imaginary or
generally imaginary or imaginary or
Condition likely to less likely to
true impossible impossible
happen happen

present or present or present or

Result future past
past future past
 Short Quiz
Identify which conditional is used in each sentence.
 Short Quiz
Identify which conditional is used in each sentence.
 Short Quiz
Identify which conditional is used in each sentence.
 Short Quiz
Identify which conditional is used in each sentence.
 Short Quiz
Identify which conditional is used in each sentence.
 Happy
learning!