If Clause (Conditional Clauses)

Type Main Clause If Clause

I FutureTense/Present Tense/Imperative Present Tense

II Present Conditional Past Tense

(Would + Short Infinitive)

III Perfect Conditional Past perfect

(would + have + vbIII/vb-ed)

Examples:

1. Jamie won’t get the part if ……………………………………………..

2. If I had understood the situation ……………………………………….
3. If Fiona is leaving now …………………………………………………
4. They would see each other more often if ……………………………….
5. Tom would have won the dance competition if ………………………..
6. If Iris earned more money ………………………………………………
7. If I were you …………………………………………………………….
8. Tell me if ………………………………………………………………..
9. I always take my umbrella if ……………………………………………

Notes:

1. Unless = If Not

2. Should in if clause means “by chance” (types I and II)

3. Were to in if clause means “by chance” (type II)

 4. If it weren’t for sb/sth (II) = But for sb/sth
If it hadn’t been for sb/sth (III) = But for sb/sth

5. Omission of “if” + inversion:

e.g. If he should call you, let me know!

Should he call you, let me know!

Type I – Should

Type II – Should or Were to

Type III – Had

6. Mixed types:

e.g. If Mary hadn’t been so rude with him, he would help her with the application now.

If Tom were an honest person, his boss wouldn’t have fired him.

7. Alternatives for “IF”

- Provided/providing (that)

- Suppose/supposing (that)

- Imagine

- As long as

- On condition that