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.
If this thing happens that thing happens
If you heat ice it melts
If it rains the grass gets wet
Use a first conditional statement to communicate what will result if some event happens. 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 this things happens that thing will happen
If you dont hurry you will miss the train
If it rains today you will get wet
If we buy an electric car, it will help the environment.
If the city changes to natural gas, air quality will improve.
If I save my money, I can buy an electric car next year.
The first conditional can have more than one condition in the if clause, and more than one result in the will clause. Notice you don't have to repeat the word if for the second condition or will for the second result.
If you go to law school and become a lawyer, you'll be very successful and make lots of money.
The first conditional can also be modified with verbs like think and believe. Notice that is optional in these sentences.
I think (that) if I go to law school, I'll be very successful.
She believes (that) if she chooses a career helping people, she'll be happy.
Use the second conditional to talk about an unreal future situation, something imaginary or unlikely to happen. The type 2 conditional is used to refer to a time that is now or any time, and a situation that is hypothetical. 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 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 earlier you would not ne so tired.
If I spoke Italian I would be working in Italy
If I had a lot of money, I'd travel around the world.
If I didn't need the money, I'd quit tomorrow.
If the weather wasn't so bad, we would go to the park. (But the weather is bad so we can't go)
If becoming a teacher were easy, it wouldn't be so rewarding.
If I were you, I'd be tired, too.
If everyone planted trees, the air would be cleaner.
If I worked less, I would travel more.
If the result clause comes before the if clause, no comma (,) is necessary
I'd travel around the world if I had a lot of money. Life would be easier if I earned more money.
The correct simple past form of the verb be in the second conditional is were.
If he were a teacher, he'd be happier.
If they were younger, they'd travel around the world.
However, in informal speech, you will often hear was.
I'd be a basketball player if I was taller.
Use a third conditional statement to communicate the potential result of an event that didn't actually happen. 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 this thing had happened that thing would have happened. (but neither of those things really happened) OR that would have been happening.
If Terry had gotten rich, he would have stopped working.
If she had been more ambitious, they would have promoted her.
If I had quit school, I wouldn't have been so successful.
I would have moved to Buenos Aires if they had offered me the job.
It would have been simple to manage the deadlines if we'd created a website.
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 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. In mixed type conditional sentences, the if clause uses the past perfect, and the main clause uses the present conditional
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 school. I would have a better job now.
If we had looked at the map. We wouldn't be lost
- Unless -
Sentences with unless have the same meaning as if + negative verb (if...not... or except if)
If I don't work hard, I'll lose my job (Unless I work hard, I'll lose my job)
- Unless I phone you, you can assume the train’s on time.(If I do not phone you /except if I phone you, you can assume the train is on time.)
- We’ll have to cancel the show unless we sell more tickets at the last minute. (We’ll have to cancel the show if we do not sell more tickets/except if we sell more tickets at the last minute.)
Sentences with unless indicate something that will happen if another event does not happen. Use unless + a present tense clause. Then add a main clause with will.
- Unless the team can follow the schedule, development will fall behind.
- Unless we innovate constantly, we won't stay competitive.
We don’t use unless for impossible conditions:
If the government had not raised food prices, there would not have been so many protests.
Not: Unless the government had raised food prices …
We don’t use unless and if together:
We’ll go to the coast tomorrow unless it rains.
Not: We’ll go to the coast tomorrow unless if it rains.
- Should you (Should with inversion) -
In formal situations, we can use should + subject (s) + verb (v) instead of if:
- Should you wish to cancel your order, please contact our customer service department on 02317 6658932. (or If you should wish to cancel your order …)
- Should your child become anxious or nervous about any activity, it is a good idea to inform the team-leader.(or If your child should become …)
- Had you (had with inversion) -
In formal situations, we can use had + subject + verb instead of if in third conditional sentences:
- Had I known you were waiting outside, I would have invited you to come in. (If I had known you were waiting outside …)
- Had Margaret realised she would be travelling alone, she would never have agreed to go.
- If + were to -
In formal situations, we can use if + were to when we talk about things that might happen but which we think are unlikely:
If the Prime Minister were to resign, there would have to be a general election within 30 days.
In even more formal styles, we use were + subject-verb inversion + to-infinitive:
[V]Were [S]we [to -INF]to give up the fight now, it would mean the end of democracy in our country. (If we gave up the fight now …)
[V]Were [S]the economy [to -INF]to slow down too quickly, there would be major problems. (If the economy slowed down too quickly …)
- As long as, so long as, providing, etc -
Sometimes we need to impose specific conditions or set limits on a situation. In these cases, conditional clauses can begin with phrases such as as long as, so long as, only if, on condition that, providing (that), provided (that).
As long as is more common in speaking; so long as and on condition that are more formal and more common in writing:
[to a group of children]
- You can play in the living room as long as you don’t make a mess.
- So long as a tiger stands still, it is invisible in the jungle.
- The bank lent the company 100,000 pounds on condition that they repaid the money within six months.
Providing (that) is more common in speaking; provided (that) is more formal and more common in written language:
[talking about rail travel in the UK]
- You can get a senior citizen’s reduction providing you’ve got a railcard.
- They may do whatever they like provided that it is within the law.
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