Conditional Sentences in English
Uploaded by
Jorge PinargoteConditional Sentences in English
Uploaded by
Jorge PinargoteA conditional is a sentence or part of a sentence that expresses a condition.
It usually
begins with the words "when," "if" and "unless."
A condition is what must happen before something else can happen.
Examples of conditionals (note that the conditions are in italics):
I will come if I have enough time.
(I am not sure that I will come. It depends on something else.)
She would tell me if she knew.
(She doesn't know.)
Unless she agrees to pay us we will not take the job.
(She must agree to pay before we take the job.)
They will come when I call them.
(They will not come before I call them.)
There are four basic conditionals in English, or in other words: there are four ways to
express that something is dependent on something else.
Note: in the examples below the conditions are in GREEN, and the results are
in BROWN. Conditional sentences
The conditional sentences are sometimes confusing for learners of English.
Watch out:
1) Which type of the conditional sentences is used?
2) Where is the if-clause (e.g. at the beginning or at the end of the conditional sentence)?
There are three types of the if-clauses.
type condition
I condition possible to fulfill
II condition in theory possible to fulfill
III condition not possible to fulfill (too late)
Form
type if clause main clause
I Simple Present will-future (or Modal + infinitive)
II Simple Past would + infinitive *
III Past Perfect would + have + past participle *
Examples (if-clause at the beginning)
type if clause main clause
I If I study, I will pass the exam.
II If I studied, I would pass the exam.
III If I had studied, I would have passed the exam.
Examples (if-clause at the end)
type main clause if-clause
I I will pass the exam if I study.
II I would pass the exam if I studied.
III I would have passed the exam if I had studied.
Examples (affirmative and negative sentences)
type Examples
long forms short/contracted forms
I
+ If I study, I will pass the exam. If I study, I'll pass the exam.
-
If I study, I will not fail the exam.
If I do not study, I will fail the exam.
If I study, I won't fail the exam.
If I don't study, I'll fail the exam.
II
+ If I studied, I would pass the exam. If I studied, I'd pass the exam.
-
If I studied, I would not fail the exam.
If I did not study, I would fail the exam.
If I studied, I wouldn't fail the exam.
If I didn't study, I'd fail the exam.
III
+
If I had studied, I would have
passed the exam.
If I'd studied, I'd have passed the exam.
-
If I had studied, I would not have
failedthe exam.
If I had not studied, I would have
failedthe exam.
If I'd studied, I wouldn't have failed the
exam.
If I hadn't studied, I'd have failed the
exam.
* We can substitute could or might for would (should, may or must are sometimes
possible, too).
I would pass the exam.
I could pass the exam.
I might pass the exam.
I may pass the exam.
I should pass the exam.
I must pass the exam.
Conditional Time Frame Probability Example
First
Conditional
Future Possible If I meet Helen, I will
invite her to the party.
Second
Conditional
Future Unlikely If I won the lottery,
I would help the
world.
Second
Conditional
Present Unreal/
Imaginary
If I had the money,
I would lend it to you.
Third
Conditional
Past Impossible If I had studied
French,
I would have known it.
Zero
Conditional
Always/Generally Certain If you drop
something,
it falls.
http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/grammar/if.htm
http://www.really-learn-english.com/english-conditionals.html
