Conditionals

Conditional Sentences

General Information: Conditional sentences are two clause sentences used for Action/Result situations. There are three main Conditional structures (plus the mixed Conditional) which express: what is true or possible/ what is not true, impossible or hypothetical / what is impossible to change = regrets

The conditional sentence usually begins with “if” (see other possibilities in the 1^st Conditional). If the “if clause” is the first one you need a comma at the end of it.

1st Conditional	2nd Conditional	3rd Conditional	Mixed Conditional
Structure:If clause + Result If + subject+ verb present+ etc (comma) Subject + verb in either Present Present Modal Will Or Imperative + etc…	Structure:If clause + Result If + subject+ simple past+ etc (comma) Subject + would + base verb form + etc.	Structure: If clause + Result If + subject+ past perfect+ etc (comma) Subject + would + have (base form) + past participle + etc.	Structure: If clause + Result 1. If + subject + past simple/continuous (comma) Subject + would + have (base form) + past participle + etc. 2. If + subject + past perfect (comma) Subject + would + base verb form + etc.
Used for real consequences to actions. If something happens in a certain way it will always have a certain result.	Used for improbable situations.	Situation from the past which can’t be changed. This conditional shows regrets or disappointment.	Unreal condition in the past with unreal present or future result
Comments:In negative sentences “if” can be changed for “unless” changing the negative to positive. “If” could be changed for: when, before, after. as long as, until…	Comments: verb to be When the verb to be is used giving advice always use “were” every person.
Examples: If water reaches 100ºC, it boils. I won’t go to the party unless you take me.	Examples: - If I were you, I wouldn’t do it.  - If she switched that light, the engine would stop.	Examples: The pump would have worked if we had called the engineers yesterday.	Examples: 1. If I didn’t trust him, I wouldn’t have let him look after the baby. 2. If you had driven faster, we could be there by now.