Conditionals

What are conditionals in English grammar? Sometimes we call them 'if clauses'. They
describe the result of something that might happen (in the present or future) or might
have happened but didn't (in the past) . They are made using different English verb
tenses.

Conditional sentences contain a conditional clause (introduced by words such as

If, as long as and unless) and a main clause.
If the conditional clause comes first, a comma usually separates it from the main
clause:
E.g. If I had a mobile, I would have called you last night.
A comma is not needed if the conditional clause comes after the main clause:
E.g. I would have called you last night If I had a mobile.
There are four main kinds of conditionals:
The Zero Conditional
(if + present simple, ... present simple)

We use the zero conditional to talk about situations which are always true. If has the
same meaning as when, whenever or every time in such sentences.

E.g. If you mix blue and yellow, you get green;

If you heat water to 100 degrees, it boils.

The First Conditional: Real/likely situations

(if + present simple, ... will + infinitive without to)

We use the first conditional to talk about possible situations and their likely results in
the future.

E.g. If it rains, I won't go to the park.

The modal verb can is also common in first conditional sentences:

E.g. If the cases are too heavy, I can help you carry them.
Unless, in case, as/so long as, provided (that)

Unless means “if…not”

Unless you leave at once, I’ll call the police;

If you don’t leave at once, I’ll call the police.

In case means “because he/she/it might”

E.g. Let’s take our wellies in case it’s muddy (because it might be muddy)

As/so long as means “If” or “only If”

E.g. As long as I am happy, my parents don’t care what job I do.

So long as I am happy, my parents don’t care what job I do.

Provided (that) means “If” or “only If”

E.g. Provided (that) I am happy, my parents don’t care what job I do.

Provided you leave now, you’ll catch the train.

The Second Conditional: Unreal/imaginary situations

(if + past simple, ... would + infinitive without to)

A second conditional describes an unreal or imaginary situation. A past simple tense is

used after If, but the time referred to is the future. Would is used in the result clause.

E.g. If you fell, you would hurt yourself.

If I had wings, I’d fly south in winter.

This means that there is a small possibility that this will happen. The situation and its
result are imagined.

The modal verbs might and could (+ verb) are also used in second conditional
sentences to describe a possible result.

E.g. If you became a millionaire, you might be unhappy.

The second conditional can also be used to give advice.

E.g. If I were you, I would complain to the manager.

Both was and were are possible in the conditional clause after the subject pronouns
I/he/she/it. Was is more common in Spoken English.

The Third Conditional: Unreal/imaginary past situations

(if + past perfect, ... would/might/could + have + past participle)

We use the third conditional to talk about imaginary situations in the past and to
speculate about their effects on past events or situations.

E.g. If we hadn’t taken a map, we would have got lost. (but we took a map, so we
didn’t get lost.)

We can use modal verbs might and could (+ have + past participle) in this kind of
sentence to describe something possible rather than definite.

E.g. If you had tried harder, you might have succeeded.

First / second / third conditionals

Make the first, second or third conditional

1) (Third conditional) If the students

(not/be) late for the exam, they

(pass) .
2) (Third conditional) If the weather

(not/be) so cold, we
(go) to the beach.
3) (Second conditional) If she

(have) her laptop with her, she

(email) me.
4) (First conditional) If she

(not/go) to the meeting, I

(not/go) either.
5) (Third conditional) If the baby

(sleep) better last night, I

(not/be) so tired.
6) (First conditional) If the teacher
(give) us lots of homework this weekend, I

(not/be) happy.
7) (Second conditional) If Lucy

(have) enough time, she

(travel) more.
8) (First conditional) If the children

(not/eat) soon, they

(be) grumpy.
9) (First conditional) If I

(not/go) to bed soon, I

(be) tired in the morning.
10) (Second conditional) If I

(want) a new car, I

(buy) one.

Inverted conditionals:
. (the books/be) [No answer] Had the books been cheaper, I would have
bought them all.

2. (the Prime Minister/fail) [No answer] Were the Prime Minister to

fail to get the necessary support, he would be forced to call a snap
election.

3. (the evidence/not be destroyed) [No answer] Had the evidence not

been destroyed, the accused would have been found guilty.

4. (you/need) [No answer] Should you need any further assistance, do

not hesitate to contact us.

5. (the ship/ not capsize) [No answer] Had the ship not capsized, there
would have been more survivors.
6. (I/win) [No answer] Were I to win the prize, I wouldn't spend it on
things I don't need.

7. (the storm/be) [No answer] Had the storm been at night, the rescue
team wouldn't have found the lost boy scouts.

8. (he/decide) [No answer] Should he decide to come, please let me

know as soon as possible.

9. (I/ be offered) [No answer] Were I to be offered the job, I would have
to think about it.

10. (you/have) [No answer] Should you have any further questions,
please ask to see the manager.