Conditionals

Basic usage

• What is always true: present + present

If I work late, I get tired.

If the water is boiling, it means the food is nearly ready.
I get the bus if I miss the train.

• What was always true: past + past

We went home early if it was foggy.

If it was snowing, we stayed at home.
She went to bed early if she felt really tired.

•Real situations: present + future

Here we think that the outcome is really possible.

If you keep driving like that, you’re going to have an accident.

There won’t be enough food if too many people turn up.

• Hypothetical situations: past + would

These are unreal or imaginary situations.

If I knew the answer, I’d tell you.

If I was having a party, I wouldn’t invite Marcia.
He wouldn’t be afraid of dogs if he had one as a pet.
If she were / was better quali ed, she would be ideal for the job.

The verb be usually takes the form were for all persons in these sentences, though was is used in
everyday speech. Note that in the rst person it is possible to use should instead of would, but this
is very formal and old-fashioned.

If I left home, I think I should be lonely.

• Hypothetical past situations: past perfect + would have

These refer to past events.

If I had known you were coming, I would have met you at the station.
I wouldn’t have tried to lift it if I’d known it was so heavy!

• With modals

Possible situations in the present

If you get wet, you should change your clothes immediately.

If you come early, we can discuss the problem together.
If we leave now, we might get there by 6.00.

Hypothetical situations

If I had the money, I could help you.

If you were taller, you’d be able to reach the top shelf.

Hypothetical past situations

She could have been injured if she hadn’t been wearing a seat-belt.
If you hadn’t reminded me, I might have forgotten.
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Variations

• If only

This adds emphasis to hypothetical situations. With past events it adds a sense of regret. The
second part of the sentence is often left out.

If only my phone was working, I could call a taxi.

If only I hadn't drunk too much, this wouldn't have happened!
If only I had enough time!
If only you listened to me!

• Unless and other alternatives to if

Unless means ‘only if not’.

Unless you call me this afternoon, I won't get the tickets.

(This means: I’lI only get the tickets if you call me.)

I’ll go ahead and get the tickets unless you call me this afternoon.

(This means: If you call me this afternoon, I won’t get the tickets.)

If one situation depends on another, if can be replaced by as / so long as, provided (that) or only if.

I’ll do what you say provided (that) the police are not informed.
You'll be ne, as long as you don’t slip!

Even if describes how something will happen whatever the condition.

Even if it rains, we’ll still go for a picnic.

We wouldn’t have won the game even if Smiths goal had been allowed.

• Past events with results in the present: past perfect + would

If Tim hadn't missed the plane, he would be here by now.

She would still be alive if she had seen a doctor in time.

• Should

After if this makes the possibility of an event seem unlikely.

If you should see Ann, could you ask her to call me?
(This implies that I do not expect you to see Ann.)

Let me know if you should change your mind.

(This implies that I do not expect you to change your mind.)

• Were to

This also makes an event seem more hypothetical.

If I were to ask you to marry me, what would you say?

How would you feel if you were to get the job after all?

• Happen to

This emphasizes chance possibilities. It is often used with should.

If you happen to see Helen, could you ask her to call me?
If you should happen to be passing, drop in for a cup of tea.

• If it were not for / If it hadn't been for

This describes how one event depends on another.

If it weren’t for Jim, this company would be in a mess.

If it hadn’t been for their goalkeeper, United would have lost.
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• Will and would: politeness and emphasis

These can be used as polite forms.

If you will / would wait here, I’ll see if Mrs Green is free.

Will can also be used for emphasis, meaning insist on doing.

If you will stay out late, no wonder you are tired!

Other ways of making a conditional sentence

• Supposing, otherwise

Supposing or suppose can replace if, mainly in everyday speech.

Supposing you won the lottery, what would you do?

Suppose he comes back, what will you say?

Otherwise means ‘if not’. It can go at the beginning or end of the sentence.

If it doesn’t rain soon, I’ll have to water the garden.

I hope it rains soon, otherwise I’ll have to water the garden.
If you hadn’t given us directions, we wouldn’t have found the house.
Thanks for your directions to the house. We wouldn’t have found it otherwise.

• But for

This can replace if not. It is used in formal language, and must be followed by a noun form.

If you hadn’t helped us, we would have been in trouble.

But for your help, we would have been in trouble.

• If so, if not

These can refer to a verb in a previous sentence.

There is a possibility that Jack will be late. If so, I will take his place.
Have you completed your project? If not, when do intend to hand it in?

• Colloquial omission of if

An imperative can be used instead of an if clause in everyday speech.

Sit down, and I’ll make us a cup of tea. (= If you sit down … )
Come back later and I’ll tell you. (= If you come back later … )

• If and adjectives

In expressions such as if it is necessary / possible, it is possible to omit the verb be.

If interested, apply within.

If necessary, take a taxi.
If possible, leave before 6.00.

• Formally if can mean ‘although’, usually followed by an adjective.

The room was well furnished, if a little badly decorated.

Her work is of a good standard, if sometimes rather untidy.
 1. Complete the sentences with the best form of the verbs in brackets.

1. Now were lost! If you (write down) had written down Emma’s directions, this (not / happen)
_______________________ .

2. Why don't we emigrate? If we (live) _______________________ in Australia, at least the weather

(be) _______________________ better!

3. I’m afraid that Smith is a hardened criminal. If we (not / punish) _______________________ him
this time, he (only / commit) _______________________ more crimes.

4. Thanks to Dr Jones, I’m still alive! If it (not / be) _______________________ for her, I (be)
_______________________ dead for certain.

5. I’m sorry I can’t lend you any money. You know that if I (have) _______________________ it, I
(lend) _______________________ it to you.

6. Don't be afraid. If you (touch) _______________________ the dog, it (not / bite)

_______________________.

7. In those days, if you (have) _______________________ a job, you (be) _______________________

lucky.

8. It’s always the same! If I (decide) _______________________ o ce early, my boss (call)

_______________________ me after I've left!

9. What a terrible thing to happen! Just think, if we (not / miss) _______________________ the
plane, we (kill) in the crash in the crash.

10. Did you enjoy your meal? If you ( nish) _______________________ eating, I (clear away)
_______________________ the plates.

2. Correct any verb forms which are incorrect or inappropriate. Put a tick if the sentence is
correct.

1. If you haven’t received a letter yet, you haven’t got the job. ✅

2. If it isn’t for Alex, we are missing the bus.

3. t's raining, we go to the pub on the corner instead.

4. If you didn't lend us the money, we would have gone to the bank.

5. If you should happen to change your mind, drop me a line.

6. If it wasn't for the rain, we would have been home by now.

7. If you will drive so fast, no wonder the police keep stopping you.

8. If I knew you were coming, I would have met you at the airport.

9. But for you helped us, we would have taken much longer.

10. If Jack joins the team, I’m leaving.

3. Choose the best ending (A, B or C) to complete each sentence.

1. If you’d told me you were coming

A. I can get some food in.

B. I’d have found us something to eat. ✅

C. I made a lovely dish.


2. If you’re too ill to come

A. I’ll come over and see you.

B. I wouldn’t have done all this for you.

C. I asked someone else.


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 3. If I’d known you weren’t coming
A. I wouldn't be very upset.

B. I would like to know why.

C. I wouldn't have gone to so much trouble.


4. If you’re not coming

A. perhaps you’d have the courtesy to tell me.

B. we’d never have met.

C. you’d be so lucky.


5. If only you’d come

A. I’ll be the happiest girl alive.

B. I’d have had a lovely time.

C. I would look forward to it.


6. If you do decide to come

A. the party’s always a success.

B. I won’t be coming either.

C. let me know.


7. If you really don’t want to come

A. I’ll understand

B. I can’t be sure.

C. tell me tomorrow.


4. Complete each sentence with a phrase containing a form of the verb in brackets.

1. If I were (say) to say I loved you, what would you do?

2. If it (rain) _________________, I would have gone out for a walk.

3. If only you’d told me it was a surprise party, I (say) _________________ anything to Uncle Frank!

4. Thanks for your help with the garden; I (do) _________________ it without you.

5. If only Mick had come to the disco, then we (have) _________________a great time!

6. (рау) _________________ the phone bill today, the phone will be cut o .

7. If I (had) _________________ your tools, I wouldn't have been able to x the car.

8. Those wires look a bit dangerous; (touch) _________________ if I were you.

9. If (be) _________________ the goalkeeper’s heroics, we would have lost the match.

5. Rewrite each sentence in three di erent ways, using the words in CAPITALS.

1. We won't go away if the weather is bad.

We’ll go away unless the weather’s bad UNLESS

___________________________________ ONLY

___________________________________ STAY

2. If you hurry up, you won’t be late.

___________________________________ DON’T

___________________________________ OR

___________________________________ WANT

3. If they o ered you the job, would you accept?

___________________________________ WERE TO

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 ___________________________________ SHOULD

___________________________________ HAPPENED

4. Without your help, I would have given up years ago.

___________________________________ HADN’T BEEN

___________________________________ BUT

___________________________________ HADN'T HELPED

5. I’lI lend you the money on condition that you pay it back next week.

___________________________________ PROVIDED

___________________________________ LONG

___________________________________ ONLY

6. Complete the text, using one word in each gap.

Mr Je ries, I have decided against a prison sentence in your case. You may walk free from this court
on (1) condition that you report to Chesham police station every Friday for the next six months. Should
you fail to (2) __________ so, you will be given one warning; and if you persist (3) __________ failing to
meet this obligation, you will return to this court for a harsher sentence. (4) __________ an you can
present a good reason why you were unable to report to the station, you will (5) __________ yourself in
serious trouble. If you are (6) __________ to attend because of illness, please note that a medical
certi cate must be produced, signed by your doctor, proving your state of health. You should realize
that, (7) __________ for your previous good conduct, I would (8) __________ had no hesitation in
imposing a prison sentence. And I shall not forget that if your friend had (9) __________ intervened in
the ght, you might (10) __________ seriously injured the defendant.

7. Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the rst sentence, using
the word given. Do not change the word given.

1. I didn’t have the money so I didn’t buy a new suit.

WOULD

If I had had the money, I would have bought a new suit.

2. If you are in London by any chance, come and see me.

HAPPEN

If you __________________________________________ , come and see me.

3. If you insist on doing everything yourself, of course you'll feel tired!

WILL

If you __________________________________________ , of course you’ll feel tired!

4. Please take a seat, and I’ll inquire for you.

WILL

If you __________________________________________ , I’ll inquire for you.

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 5. If you do the shopping, I’ll cook lunch.

AND

You __________________________________________ I’ll cook lunch.

6. If Cath hadn’t been interested, the project would have been abandoned.

INTEREST

But __________________________________________ the project would have been abandoned.

7. The re was brought under control thanks to the night-watchman.

FOR

If it hadn’t __________________________________________ got out of control.

8. Jason is in prison because a detective recognized him.

IF

Jason wouldn't __________________________________________ recognized him.

9. I am not tall enough to reach the shelf.

TALLER

If I __________________________________________ reach the shelf.

10. But for Julie acting so wonderfully, the play would be a op.

WONDERFUL

If it __________________________________________ the play would be a op.

11. It won’t make any di erence if City score rst; United will still win.

EVEN

United __________________________________________ City score rst.

12. Getting up early makes me feel hungry.

GET

If __________________________________________ makes me feel hungry.

8. Complete each sentence using the words in brackets. Change the verb forms if necessary.

1. That was a lucky escape! If I (fall) had fallen, I’d have broken my leg.

2. If you ( nish / with my pen) _________________ , I’d like it back please.

3. Unless Pete (try / harder) _________________ , he won’t win the competition.

4. If you took more time over your work, you (not make) _________________ so many mistakes.

5. But for Sally’s bravery, Jim (drown) _________________ .

6. If you’d told me you were coming, I (buy) _________________ more food.

7. If (it / not be) _________________ for Jane, the deal wouldn’t have gone through.

8. If (I/ be) _________________ late, you’d better start without me.

9. If Ann had known Tom wasn’t coming, she (not / go) _________________ to so much trouble.

10. ( nish / the painting) _________________ by Friday, and well pay you extra.

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9. Complete the text, using one word in each gap.

Dear Sir or Madam,

We would like to remind you that your account is two months overdue. We are prepared to allow you
another ten days to settle your account. However, (1) if you fail to pay your outstanding bills within ten
days, you leave us with no alternative but to take legal action. That is, (2) __________ we receive full
payment by 20th March, we will refer this matter to our legal department. (3) __________ you be
experiencing nancial di culties, please contact our Finance Department. (4) __________ that you

settle your account within the speci ed time period, we will (5) __________ happy to continue to do
business with you. However, we (6) __________ , if necessary, take the regrettable step of closing your
account. We are sorry that this situation has arisen, but if you had paid your bills over the last two
months, we (7) __________ not be in this position now. On the other hand, you (8) __________ have
settled your account in the last two days. If (9) __________ , please accept our apologies for this letter.

Yours faithfully

Brian Eccles
Customer Services

Wood View O ce Supplies

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