FORM:

USAGE:
A conditional sentence is based on the word ‘if’. There are always two parts to a conditional
sentence – one part beginning with ‘if’ to describe a possible situation or condition, and the
second part which describes the consequence or result. For example:

If it rains, we’ll get wet.

We can also invert the two parts of a conditional sentence so that the ‘if’ part comes second, and
this is especially common in questions. For example:

What will you do if you miss the train?

How can you finish the project if you don’t have a computer?

There are four types of conditional sentences:

0 – The zero conditional
1 – The first conditional
2 – The second conditional
3 – The third conditional
The Zero Conditional

We use the zero conditional to talk about permanent truths, such as scientific facts, and general
habits. The structure is simple:

Here are some examples:

If you heat water to 100°, it boils.

If it doesn’t rain for a long time, the earth gets very dry.

The First Conditional

We use the first conditional to talk about a realistic situation in the present or future. The
structure of the first conditional is as follows:

Here are some examples:

If you’re free later, we can go for a walk.

If we arrive late, we must get a taxi.

He’ll call if he needs help.

Another way to make first conditional sentences is to use ‘unless’ which means ‘only if’ or
‘except’. As with ‘if’, the word ‘unless’ can never be followed by ‘will’ but only by the present
simple. For example:

Unless you hurry up, you won’t catch the bus.

We’ll stay at home unless the weather improves.

The Second Conditional

We use the second conditional to talk about improbable or impossible situations in the present or
future. Here is the structure:

For example:
If I had more time, I’d exercise more. (But I don’t have more time so I don’t.)

If I were rich, I’d spend all my time travelling. (But I’m not rich so I can’t.)

If he didn’t have to work late, he could go out with his girlfriend.

What would you do if you were offered a job in Canada?

You wouldn’t have to walk everywhere if you bought a bike.

A common expression used to give advice has the second conditional structure. The expression
is ‘If I were you, I’d..’, meaning ‘in your situation, this is what I would do’. For example:

A: I’ve got a headache.

B: If I were you, I’d take an aspirin.

The Third Conditional

We use the third conditional to talk about impossible situations, as in the second conditional, in
the past. We often use the third conditional to describe regrets. The structure is:

Examples:

If we had left earlier, we would have arrived on time.

If you hadn’t forgotten her birthday, she wouldn’t have been upset.

If they had booked earlier, they could have found better seats.

What would you have studied if you hadn’t done engineering?

They wouldn’t have hired you if you hadn’t had some experience abroad.

Mixed Conditionals

It’s possible to combine the second and third conditional in one sentence when we want to make
a hypothesis about the past that has a consequence in the present. In this case, the structure is:

Examples:

If you’d studied harder, you’d be at a higher level now.

We’d be lying on a beach now if we hadn’t missed the plane.

What would you be doing now if you hadn’t decided to study?

 NOW, LET’S PRACTICE:

Conditional Sentences Type I

Complete the Conditional Sentences Type I.

 If you (go) out with your friends tonight, I (watch) the football match on TV.

 I (earn) a lot of money if I (get) that job.

 If she (hurry / not) , we (miss) the bus.

Conditional Sentences Type II

Complete the Conditional Sentences Type II.

 If he (try) harder, he (reach) his goals.

 I (buy) these shoes if they (fit) .

 It (surprise / not) me if he (know / not) the answer.

Conditional Sentences Type III

Complete the Conditional Sentences Type III.

 If we (listen) to the radio, we (hear) the news.

 If you (switch) on the lights, you (fall / not) over the chair.

 She (come) to our party if she (be / not) on holiday.

Conditional Sentences Type I, II or III

Complete the Conditional Sentences with the correct form (Type I, II or III).

 If I stronger, I'd help you carry the piano.

 If we'd seen you, we .

 If we him tomorrow, we'll say hello.

 He would have repaired the car himself if he the tools.

 If you drop the vase, it .

 If I hadn't studied, I the exam.

 I wouldn't go to school by bus if I a driving licence.

 If she him every day, she'd be lovesick.

 I to London if I don't get a cheap flight.

 We'd be stupid if we him about our secret.

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