Conditional

Conditional tenses in English

1. Zero conditional If ice gets hot it melts.
2. Type 1 conditional If he is late I will be angry.
3. Type 2 conditional If he was in Australia he would be getting up now.
4. Type 3 conditional She would have visited me if she had had time.
5. Mixed conditional I would be playing tennis if I hadn't broken my arm.

Conditional tenses are used to speculate about what could happen, what might have happened,
and what we wish would happen. In English, most sentences using the conditional contain the
word if. Many conditional forms in English are used in sentences that include verbs in one of
the past tenses. This usage is referred to as "the unreal past" because we use a past tense but
we are not actually referring to something that happened in the past. There are five main ways
of constructing conditional sentences in English. In all cases, these sentences are made up of
an if clause and a main clause. In many negative conditional sentences, there is an equivalent
sentence construction using "unless" instead of "if".
Test your knowledge

Conditional Usage If clause Main clause verb tense

sentence type verb tense

Zero General truths Simple Simple present

present

Type 1 A possible condition and its Simple Simple future

probable result present

Type 2 A hypothetical condition and Simple past Present conditional or

its probable result Present continuous
conditional

Type 3 An unreal past condition and Past perfect Perfect conditional

its probable result in the past

Mixed type An unreal past condition and Past perfect Present contditional
its probable result in the
present

1. The zero conditional

The zero conditional is used for when the time being referred to is now or always and the
situation is real and possible. The zero conditional is often used to refer to general truths.
The tense in both parts of the sentence is the simple present. In zero conditional sentences, the
word "if" can usually be replaced by the word "when" without changing the meaning.

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If clause Main clause

If + simple present simple present

If this thing happens that thing happens.

If you heat ice it melts.

If it rains the grass gets wet.

2. Type 1 conditional

The type 1 conditional is used to refer to the present or future where the situation is real.
The type 1 conditional refers to a possible condition and its probable result. In these sentences
the if clause is in the simple present, and the main clause is in the simple future.

If clause Main clause

If + simple present simple future

If this thing happens that thing will happen.

If you don't hurry you will miss the train.

If it rains today you will get wet.

3. Type 2 conditional

The type 2 conditional is used to refer to a time that is now or any time, and a situation that
is unreal. These sentences are not based on fact. The type 2 conditional is used to refer to a
hypothetical condition and its probable result. In type 2 conditional sentences, the if clause
uses the simple past, and the main clause uses the present conditional.

If clause Main clause

If + simple past present conditional or present continuous conditional

If this thing happened that thing would happen. (but I'm not sure this thing will happen)
OR
that thing would be happening.

If you went to bed you would not be so tired.

earlier

If it rained you would get wet.

If I spoke Italian I would be working in Italy.

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 4. Type 3 conditional

The type 3 conditional is used to refer to a time that is in the past, and a situation that
is contrary to reality. The facts they are based on are the opposite of what is expressed. The
type 3 conditional is used to refer to an unreal past condition and its probable past result. In
type 3 conditional sentences, the if clause uses the past perfect, and the main clause uses the
perfect conditional.

If clause Main clause

If + past perfect perfect conditional or perfect continuous conditional

If this thing had happened that thing would have happened. (but neither of those things
really happened) OR
that thing would have been happening.

If you had studied harder you would have passed the exam.

If it had rained you would have gotten wet.

If I had accepted that I would have been working in Milan.

promotion

5. Mixed type conditional

The mixed type conditional is used to refer to a time that is in the past, and a situation that
is ongoing into the present. The facts they are based on are the opposite of what is
expressed. The mixed type conditional is used to refer to an unreal past condition and its
probable result in the present. In mixed type conditional sentences, the if clause uses the past
perfect, and the main clause uses the present conditional.
If clause Main clause

If + past perfect or present conditional or perfect conditional

simple past

If this thing had happened that thing would happen. (but this thing didn't happen so that
thing isn't happening)

If I had worked harder at I would have a better job now.

school

If we had looked at the we wouldn't be lost.

map

If you weren't afraid of you would have picked it up and put it outside.
spiders

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 CONDITIONAL WITH MORE EXAMPLES :

1) Zero Conditional

Form
In zero conditional sentences, the tense in both parts of the sentence is the simple present.
If clause (condition) Main clause (result)

If + simple present simple present

If this thing happens that thing happens.

As in all conditional sentences, the order of the clauses is not fixed. You may have to
rearrange the pronouns and adjust punctuation when you change the order of the clauses, but
the meaning is identical. In zero conditional sentences, you can replace "if" with "when",
because both express general truths. The meaning will be unchanged.

Examples
 If you heat ice, it melts.
 Ice melts if you heat it.
 When you heat ice, it melts.
 Ice melts when you heat it.
 If it rains, the grass gets wet.
 The grass gets wet if it rains.
 When it rains, the grass gets wet.
 The grass gets wet when it rains.

Function
The zero conditional is used to make statements about the real world, and often refers to
general truths, such as scientific facts. In these sentences, the time is now or always and the
situation is real and possible.

Examples
 If you freeze water, it becomes a solid.
 Plants die if they don't get enough water.
 If my husband has a cold, I usually catch it.
 If public transport is efficient, people stop using their cars.
 If you mix red and blue, you get purple.

The zero conditional is also often used to give instructions, using the imperative in the main
clause.

Examples
 If Bill phones, tell him to meet me at the cinema.
 Ask Pete if you're not sure what to do.
 If you want to come, call me before 5:00.
 Meet me here if we get separated.

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 2) Type 1 conditional

Form
In a type 1 conditional sentence, the tense in the "if" clause is the simple present, and the
tense in the main clause is the simple future.
Test your knowledge
If clause (condition) Main clause (result)

If + simple present simple future

If this thing happens that thing will happen.

As in all conditional sentences, the order of the clauses is not fixed. You may have to
rearrange the pronouns and adjust punctuation when you change the order of the clauses, but
the meaning is identical.

Examples
 If it rains, you will get wet.
 You will get wet if it rains.
 If Sally is late again I will be mad.
 I will be mad if Sally is late again.
 If you don't hurry, you will miss the bus.
 You will miss the bus if you don't hurry.

Function
The type 1 conditional refers to a possible condition and its probable result. These sentences
are based on facts, and they are used to make statements about the real world, and about
particular situations. We often use such sentences to give warnings. In type 1 conditional
sentences, the time is the present or future and the situation is real.

Examples
 If I have time, I'll finish that letter.
 What will you do if you miss the plane?
 Nobody will notice if you make a mistake.
 If you drop that glass, it will break.
 If you don't drop the gun, I'll shoot!
 If you don't leave, I'll call the police.

In type 1 conditional sentences, you can also use modals in the main clause instead of the
future tense to express the degree of certainty, permission, or a recommendation about the
outcome.

Examples
 If you drop that glass, it might break.
 I may finish that letter if I have time.
 If he calls you, you should go.
 If you buy my school supplies for me, I will be able to go to the park.

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 3) Type 2 conditional

Form
In a type 2 conditional sentence, the tense in the "if" clause is the simple past, and the tense in
the main clause is the present conditional or the present continuous conditional.
Test your knowledge
If clause (condition) Main clause (result)

If + simple past present conditional or present continuous conditional

If this thing happened that thing would happen.

As in all conditional sentences, the order of the clauses is not fixed. You may have to
rearrange the pronouns and adjust punctuation when you change the order of the clauses, but
the meaning is identical.

Examples
 If it rained, you would get wet.
 You would get wet if it rained.
 If you went to bed earlier you wouldn't be so tired.
 You wouldn't be so tired if you went to bed earlier.
 If she fell, she would hurt herself.
 She would hurt herself if she fell.

Function

The type 2 conditional refers to an unlikely or hypothetical condition and its probable result.
These sentences are not based on the actual situation. In type 2 conditional sentences, the time
is now or any time and the situation is hypothetical.

Examples
 If the weather wasn't so bad, we would go to the park. (But the weather is bad so we can't
go.)
 If I was the Queen of England, I would give everyone a chicken. (But I am not the Queen.)
 If you really loved me, you would buy me a diamond ring.
 If I knew where she lived, I would go and see her.

It is correct, and very common, to say "if I were" instead of "if I was" (subjunctive mood).

Examples
 If I were taller, I would buy this dress.
 If I were 20, I would travel the world.
 If I were you, I would give up smoking.
 If I were a plant, I would love the rain.

In type 2 conditional sentences, you can also use modals in the main clause instead of
"would" to express the degree of certainty, permission, or a recommendation about the
outcome.

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 Examples
 We might buy a larger house if we had more money
 He could go to the concert if you gave him your ticket.
 If he called me, I couldn't hear.

The present conditional tense

The present conditional of any verb is composed of two elements:

would + the infinitive of the main verb, without "to"
Subject + would + infinitive

He would go

They would stay

To Go: present conditional

Affirmative Negative Interrogative Interrogative negative

I would go I wouldn't go Would I go? Wouldn't I go?

You would go You wouldn't go Would you go? Wouldn't you go?

He would go He wouldn't go Would he go? Wouldn't he go?

She would go She wouldn't go Would she go? Wouldn't she go?

We would go We wouldn't go Would we go? Wouldn't we go?

They would go They wouldn't go Would they go? Wouldn't they go?

Test your kno

4) Type 3 conditional

Form
In a type 3 conditional sentence, the tense in the "if" clause is the past perfect, and the tense in
the main clause is the perfect conditional or the perfect continuous conditional.
Test your knowledge

If clause (condition) Main clause (result)

If + past perfect perfect conditional or perfect continuous conditional

If this thing had happened that thing would have happened.

As in all conditional sentences, the order of the clauses is not fixed. You may have to
rearrange the pronouns and adjust punctuation when you change the order of the clauses, but
the meaning is identical.

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 Examples
 If it had rained, you would have gotten wet.
 You would have gotten wet if it had rained.
 You would have passed your exam if you had worked harder.
 If you had worked harder, you would have passed your exam.
 I would have believed you if you hadn't lied to me before.
 If you hadn't lied to me before, I would have believed you.

Function
The type 3 conditional refers to an impossible condition in the past and its probable result in
the past. These sentences are truly hypothetical and unreal, because it is now too late for the
condition or its result to exist. There is always some implication of regret with type 3
conditional sentences. The reality is the opposite of, or contrary to, what the sentence
expresses. In type 3 conditional sentences, the time is the past and the situation
is hypothetical.

Examples
 If I had worked harder I would have passed the exam. (But I didn't work hard, and I didn't
pass the exam.)
 If I had known you were coming I would have baked a cake. (But I didn't know and I didn't
bake a cake.)
 I would have been happy if you had called me on my birthday. (But you didn't call me and I
am not happy.)

In type 3 conditional sentences, you can also use modals in the main clause instead of
"would" to express the degree of certainty, permission, or a recommendation about the
outcome.

Examples
 If I had worked harder I might have passed the exam.
 You could have been on time if you had caught the bus.
 If he called you, you could go.
 If you bought my school supplies for me, I might be able to go to the park.

Contractions
Both would and had can be contracted to 'd, which can be confusing if you are not confident
with type 3 conditional sentences. Remember 2 rules:
1. would never appears in the if-clause so if 'd appears in the if clause, it must be
abbreviating had.
2. had never appears before have so if 'd appears on a pronoun just before have, it must be
abbreviating would.

Examples
 If I'd known you were in hospital, I'd have visited you.
 If I had known you were in hospital, I would have visited you.
 I'd have bought you a present if I'd known it was your birthday.
 I would have bought you a present if I had known it was your birthday.
 If you'd given me your e-mail, I'd have written to you.
 If you had given me your e-mail, I would have written to you.

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The perfect conditional tense
The perfect conditional of any verb is composed of three elements:
would + have + past participle
Have followed by the past participle is used in other constructions as well. it is called the
"perfect infinitive".

Subject + would + have + past participle

He would have gone

They would have stayed

To Go: perfect conditional

Affirmative Negative Interrogative Interrogative
negative

I would have gone I wouldn't have gone Would I have gone? Wouldn't I have gone?

You would have You wouldn't have Would you have Wouldn't you have
gone gone gone? gone?

He would have He wouldn't have Would he have Wouldn't he have

gone gone gone? gone?

She would have She wouldn't have Would she have Wouldn't she have
gone gone gone? gone?

We would have We wouldn't have Would we have Wouldn't we have

gone gone gone? gone?

They would have They wouldn't have Would they have Wouldn't they have
gone gone gone? gone?
w
5) Mixed conditional

It is possible for the two parts of a conditional sentence to refer to different times, and the
resulting sentence is a "mixed conditional" sentence. There are two types of mixed
conditional sentence.
Test your knowledge

Present result of a past condition

Form
In this type of mixed conditional sentence, the tense in the 'if' clause is the past perfect, and
the tense in the main clause is the present conditional.

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 If clause (condition) Main clause (result)

If + past perfect present conditional

If this thing had happened that thing would happen.

As in all conditional sentences, the order of the clauses is not fixed. You may have to
rearrange the pronouns and adjust punctuation when you change the order of the clauses, but
the meaning is identical.

Examples
 If I had worked harder at school, I would have a better job now.
 I would have a better job now if I had worked harder at school.
 If we had looked at the map we wouldn't be lost.
 We wouldn't be lost if we had looked at the map.
 If you had caught that plane you would be dead now.
 You would be dead now if you had caught that plane.

Function
This type of mixed conditional refers to an unreal past condition and its probable result in the
present. These sentences express a situation which is contrary to reality both in the past and in
the present. In these mixed conditional sentences, the time is the past in the "if" clause and in
the present in the main clause.

Examples
 If I had studied I would have my driving license. (but I didn't study and now I don't have
my license)
 I would be a millionaire now if I had taken that job. (but I didn't take the job and I'm not a
millionaire)
 If you had spent all your money, you wouldn't buy this jacket. (but you didn't spend all
your money and now you can buy this jacket)

In these mixed conditional sentences, you can also use modals in the main clause instead
of would to express the degree of certainty, permission, or a recommendation about the
outcome.

Examples
 If you had crashed the car, you might be in trouble.
 I could be a millionaire now if I had invested in ABC Plumbing.
 If I had learned to ski, I might be on the slopes right now.

Past result of present or continuing condition

Form
In this second type of mixed conditional sentence, the tense in the 'if' clause is the simple past,
and the tense in the main clause is the perfect conditional.

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 If clause (condition) Main clause (result)

If + simple past perfect conditional

If this thing happened that thing would have happened.

As in all conditional sentences, the order of the clauses is not fixed. You may have to
rearrange the pronouns and adjust punctuation when you change the order of the clauses, but
the meaning is identical.

Examples
 If I wasn't afraid of spiders, I would have picked it up.
 I would have picked it up if I wasn't afraid of spiders.
 If we didn't trust him we would have sacked him months ago.
 We would have sacked him months ago if we didn't trust him.
 If I wasn't in the middle of another meeting, I would have been happy to help you.
 I would have been happy to help you if I wasn't in the middle of another meeting.

Function
These mixed conditional sentences refer to an unreal present situation and its probable (but
unreal) past result. In these mixed conditional sentences, the time in the if clause is now or
always and the time in the main clause is before now. For example, "If I wasn't afraid of
spiders" is contrary to present reality. I am afraid of spiders. "I would have picked it up" is
contrary to past reality. I didn't pick it up.

Examples
 If she wasn't afraid of flying she wouldn't have travelled by boat.
 I'd have been able to translate the letter if my Italian was better.
 If I was a good cook, I'd have invited them to lunch.
 If the elephant wasn't in love with the mouse, she'd have trodden on him by now

Reference :
https://www.ef.com/wwen/english-resources/english-grammar/verbs/

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