3 MAIN TYPES:

First, second and third

conditional
 First Conditional

If I see Andrew at the meeting, I'll give him your message.

PRESENT SIMPLE FUTURE SIMPLE

USE: To talk about something that is quite likely to

happen in the future. It is very possible that I will see
Andrew at the meeting, in which case I'll give him your
message. The condition is quite likely to be fulfilled.
For presenting future plans, real possibilities, steps in
an argument, points in a procedure, predictable
consequences, instructions.
 Second Conditional (Hypothetical)
What would happen if…?
If my parents were alive, they would be very proud of me now.

PAST SIMPLE WOULD + INFINITIVE

USE: To talk about a present situation which is impossible, a hypothetical

situation. The situation cannot be fulfilled because my parents are not alive.

If she changed her job, she'd be much happier.

USE: To talk about a future event which is unlikely to happen. The speaker
doesn`t expect her to change her job. That is, it is unlikely that the condition
will be fulfilled.
 Third Conditional
What would have happened if…?
If she had worked harder, she would have passed her exams.

PAST PERFECT WOULD + PERFECT INFINITIVE

USE: To talk about something that might have happened in the

past, but didn`t. She didn`t work hard enough and,
consequently, she didn`t pass her exams.
It also expresses excuses, regrets and blame for past events.
 The zero conditional (factual)
What happens if…?
If I stay out late, I always take a taxi home.

PRESENT SIMPLE PRESENT SIMPLE

USE: To describe something that is generally true. The use of if here is very
similar to when. For presenting habits, general truths, rules, typical patterns,
correlations.

We can also use the past simple in the two clauses.

If I stayed out late, I always got a taxi home.
1. If he (try) __ harder, he (reach) __his goals.
2. I (buy) __these shoes if they (fit)___ .
3. It (surprise / not) __me if he (know / not) __the answer.
4. If we (listen) __ to the radio, we (hear) __ the news.
5. If you (switch) __ on the lights, you (fall / not) __ over the chair.
6. She (come) __ to our party if she (be / not) ___ on holiday.
7. If you (go) __ out with your friends tonight, I (watch) __ the football
match on TV.
8. I (earn) __ a lot of money if I (get) __ that job.
9. If she (hurry / not) __, we (miss) __- the bus.