CONDITIONAL SENTENCESType 0 - Type 1 - Type 2 - Type 3

Mixed ConditionalsSentence connectors showing condition

Type 0 (general truths)They are used to

express something which is always true.

We can use WHEN instead of IF.

If/When it SNOWS, the roads GET slippery and dangerous.

If-clause:Present simple

Main clause:Present simple

Type 1 (real present)They are used to

express real or very probable situations in the present or future.

They are also used to give instructions.

If-clause: present simple

Main clause: future,

imperative, can/may/might/ must/should/co

uld

If they WORK hard, they WILL FINISH the project on time.

If they FINISH the project, CALL me.

If they WORK hard, they MAY FINISH the project by next Friday.

Type 2 (unreal present)They are used to express

imaginary situations which are contrary to facts in the present and, therefore, are unlikely to happen in the present or future.

They are also used to give advice.

If-clause:Past simpleMain clause:

Would/could/might + bare

infinitive

If I DIDN’T HAVE to work

so much, I WOULDN’T BE so tired.

If the weather WERE better, we COULD / MIGHT HAVE a picnic.

Type 3 (unreal past)They are used to

express situations which are contrary to facts in the past.

They are also used to express regrets or criticism.

If-clause:Past perfectMain clause:

Would/could/might + have + past participle

If he HAD BEEN more careful, he WOULDN’T HAVE MADE such a big mistake.

If you HADN’T HAD a lot of luck, you COULD/MIGHT HAVE LOST all your money.

MIXED CONDITIONALSWe can form mixed

conditionals, if the context permits it, by combining an if-clause from one type with a main clause from another.

The most common types are:

Type 2 – Type 3

If you WERE more sensible, you WOULDN’T HAVE SPOKEN to your parents like that.

Type 3 – Type 2

If he HADN’T STOLEN all that money, he WOULDN’T BE in prison now.

OTHER WAYS OF SAYING “IF”

EXAMPLES

AS LONG AS We’ll go up to the mountains this weekend AS LONG AS the weather is OK.

PROVIDED/PROVIDING (THAT)

You can have a pet PROVIDED/PROVIDING THAT you look after it properly.

ON CONDITION (THAT)

You can have a pet ON CONDITION THAT you look after it properly.

SUPPOSE/SUPPOSING

SUPPOSE/SUPPOSING the price of oil tripled tomorrow, what would happen?

BUT FOR + noun BUT FOR your help, I wouldn’t have done it.

OTHERWISE You should have your air conditioned serviced. OTHERWISE, you will waste a lot of energy.

UNLESS UNLESS governments act now, the environment will suffer.

IN CASEIN CASE OF + noun

Take a coat with you IN CASE the weather gets worse.IN CASE OF fire, leave the building immediately.