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Conditional Sentences, If-Clauses Type I, Ii, Iii

There are three types of conditional sentences: Type I) condition possible to fulfill; Type II) condition theoretically possible; Type III) condition not possible. Type I uses simple present in if-clause and will-future in main clause. Type II uses simple past in if-clause and would + infinitive in main clause. Type III uses past perfect in if-clause and would + have + past participle in main clause. Examples are given for each type with the if-clause in initial or final position and both affirmative and negative forms. Modal verbs like could, might, may, should, must can substitute for would.

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31 views

Conditional Sentences, If-Clauses Type I, Ii, Iii

There are three types of conditional sentences: Type I) condition possible to fulfill; Type II) condition theoretically possible; Type III) condition not possible. Type I uses simple present in if-clause and will-future in main clause. Type II uses simple past in if-clause and would + infinitive in main clause. Type III uses past perfect in if-clause and would + have + past participle in main clause. Examples are given for each type with the if-clause in initial or final position and both affirmative and negative forms. Modal verbs like could, might, may, should, must can substitute for would.

Uploaded by

Daniel Sanchez
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Conditional sentences, if-clauses type I,

II, III
Conditional sentences
Conditional sentences are sometimes confusing for learners of English as a second language.

Watch out:

1. Which type of conditional sentences is it?

2. Where is the if-clause (e.g. at the beginning or at the end of the


conditional sentence)?

There are three types of conditional sentences.

type condition

I condition possible to fulfill

II condition in theory possible to fulfill

III condition not possible to fulfill (too late)

1. Form

type if-clause main clause

I Simple Present will-future or (Modal + infinitive)

II Simple Past would + infinitive *


type if-clause main clause

III Past Perfect would + have + past participle *

2. Examples (if-clause at the beginning)

type if clause main clause

I If I study, I will pass the exam.

II If I studied, I would pass the exam.

III If I had studied, I would have passed the exam.

3. Examples (if-clause at the end)

type main clause if-clause

I I will pass the exam if I study.

II I would pass the exam if I studied.

III I would have passed the exam if I had studied.

4. Examples (affirmative and negative sentences)


type Examples

long forms short/contracted forms

+ If I study, I will pass the exam. If I study, I'll pass the exam.

I
If I study, I will not fail the exam. If I study, I won't fail the exam.
-
If I do not study, I will fail the exam. If I don't study, I'll fail the exam.

+ If I studied, I would pass the exam. If I studied, I'd pass the exam.

II
If I studied, I would not fail the exam. If I studied, I wouldn't fail the exam.
-
If I did not study, I would fail the exam. If I didn't study, I'd fail the exam.

If I had studied, I would have passed the


+ If I'd studied, I'd have passed the exam.
exam.

III
If I had studied, I would not have failed the If I'd studied, I wouldn't have failed the
exam. exam.
-
If I had not studied, I would have failed the If I hadn't studied, I'd have failed the
exam. exam.

* We can substitute could or might for would (should, may or must are sometimes possible, too).

 I would pass the exam.

 I could pass the exam.

 I might pass the exam.

 I may pass the exam.


 I should pass the exam.

 I must pass the exam.

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