TYPE 0:

expresses general truths & facts

IF + SIMPLE PRESENT + SIMPLE PRESENT

If you heat water to 100 degrees Celsius, it boils.

When you drink too much, you get drunk.

TYPE 1 :
expresses a possibility for the PRESENT or FUTURE

IF + SIMPLE PRESENT + SIMPLE FUTURE

If the weather is nice, we will go to the park.

If you don’t go to bed early enough, you will be tired tomorrow.

If you don’t wear sun cream, you will get burnt.

If you don’t take a coat, you will be cold later.

If you oversleep, you will be late for work.

•Modals can also be used in order to show a degree of certainty:

If you don’t wear sun cream, you can/may get burnt.

I can/may go to the party if I get lots of work done today.
•Unless can also be used in place of if + not:

I will not go unless you drive me there.

= If you dont drive me there, I won’t go.

You will never improve your English unless you do your

homework.
= If you don’t do your hw, you will never improve your English.
 TYPE 2:
IMPROBABLE OR UNREAL SITUATION in the present or future.

In the mind of the speaker, this action is:

- possible but improbable - it can still happen
or
- highly IMPROBABLE, so it will NEVER happen

IF + SIMPLE PAST + PRESENT CONDITIONAL

If I studied, I would pass.

If my family had the money, we would buy a new house.
 if clause main clause
would + V1
or
Simple Past
Form
could + V1

If I studied, I would pass the exams.

Examples
If I studied, I could pass the exams.

The if-clause can be at the beginning or at the end of the sentence .

If I studied, I would pass the exams.

I would pass the exams if I studied

Were instead of Was

In IF Clauses Type II, we usually use ‚were

‘ – even if the pronoun is I, he, she or it –.

Example:

If I were you, I would not do this.

If you were nicer to him, he could lend you the money.
If I were you, I would stay at home and do my homework.
If I were you, I would drive more carefully in the rain.
If you did your homework, you wouldn’t get told off.

If she paid her bills, she wouldn’t get into trouble.

If he went to bed earlier, he wouldn’t be so grumpy.

If he told her off, she would cry.

If I ate as much chocolate as you do, I would be sick.

If she did her homework, she would learn more quickly.

•I want to build a school but I dont have enough money.

If I had enough money I would build a school.

Now, do I have money?

• Tom wants to read French novels but he doesnt know French.

If Tom knew French, he would read French novels.

•Fred wants to play basketball but he is short.

If Fred wasn’t short, he would play basketball.

 Present Wishes

wish/if only + subject + past tense

I wish I had a chance to speak to her. (but I don’t now)

I wish I was single. ( but I am married)

I wish she came to my party. (but she doesn’t come)

= If only she came to my party.
•I wish that I had a sports car.
(The truth is I don't have a sports car.)

•I wish that I were a doctor.

(I'm really not a doctor.)

•She wishes (that) she had a diamond ring.

•He wishes (that) he were rich.

•We wish you were here.

•I wish (that) I were taller.

•If I had a lot of money, I would buy a house.
I wish I had a lot of money.
(The truth is that you don’t have a lot of money.)

•If I knew Japanese, I would work in Tokyo.

I wish I knew Japanese
(The truth is that you don’t know Japanese.)

•I wish I had a better job.

If I had a good job, I would be much happier.
(The truth is that you don’t have a good job.)

•I wish I knew how to type.

If I knew how to type, I would be able to get a better job.
(The truth is that you don’t know how to type.)
•He wishes he were the mayor.
If he were mayor, he would solve the homeless
problem.
(The truth is that he is not the mayor.)

•If I were taller, I would play basketball.

I wish I were six feet tall.
(The truth is that you are not tall.)
 If clause Main clause
Type 0 Present Present
General Truth simple simple
Type 1 Present Future
Probable situation simple
Type 2 Past Would+
Unlikely to simple infinitive
happen tense
Type 3 Past Would+ have+
Impossible Perfect Past perfect
situation in past
 TYPE 3
• Used to express conditions in the
past that did not happen. Often used
to express criticism or regret with
would have, could have or should
have.
 IF CLAUSE TYPE 3- How to form

if clause main clause

would + have + V3
or
Past Perfect could + have + V3
or
might + have + V3
If I had studied,I would have passed the exams.

If I had studied,I could have passed the exams.

If I had studied,I might have passed the exams.

 The if-clause can be at the beginning or at
the end of the sentence.

• If I had studied, I would have passed the exams.

• I would have passed the exams if I had studied.

 Where does the “not” go?
• If the girl had not looked both ways when she
crossed the street, a car would have hit her.
(Fact: She did look both ways, so a car did not
hit her.)

• If the boys had practiced more, they would

not have lost the game. (Fact: They did not
practice enough, so they lost the game.)
If I had found her address, I would have sent her an invitation.

Sometime in the past, I wanted to send an invitation to a

friend. I didn't find her address, however. So in the end I
didn't send her an invitation.
If John had had the money, he would have bought a Ferrari.

I knew John very well and I know that he never had much
money, but he loved Ferraris. He would have loved to own a
Ferrari, but he never had the money to buy one
• If I had learnt more (but I didn't  learn=unreal
condition), I would have got a better mark.
(So I didn't get a better mark = impossible  consequence)

or the other way round:

• I would have got a better mark (So I didn't

get a better mark= impossible consequence) if I had
learnt more (but I didn't  learn=unreal condition)
• If I hadn't helped you, you would have
failed. = You would have failed, if I hadn't
helped you. (I helped you so you didn't
fail).

• If it had been sunny, we could have gone

out. = We could have gone out, if it had
been. (We didn't go out because it wasn't
sunny).
 Complete the sentences. Use the correct form of the verbs in the
parentheses.

1. If you _______ (eat) too much ice cream, you'll get sick.
2. If Juan Carlos ______ (be) a better student, he'd participate in class more often.
3. Brendan ________ (join) the Army if he fails his classes.
4. Rosalie wouldn't be taking the math classes if she ________ (pass) the
placement exam.
5. If the general ______ (run) for office, he will be a popular candidate.
6. If Andy had had the salmon, he ________ (like) his meal better.
7. Leo would have spoken to Mr. Lauder if he ________ (want) the job.
8. Leo ________ (speak) to Mr. Lauder if he wants the job.
9. If Catherine had been more aware of her daughter's feelings, she _______ (tell)
her  about her father's illness.
10. This whole region will be dangerously dry unless we _______ (get) some rain
soon.
The END