CONDITIONAL SENTENCES

Conditional sentences are used to speculate about what could happen, what might have
happened, and what we wish would happen.
1. THE ZERO CONDITIONAL
The zero conditional is used 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 clause Main clause

If + simple present simple present

If you heat ice it melts.

If it rains the grass gets wet.

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. The zero conditional is also often used to give instructions, using the
imperative in the main clause.
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 you don't hurry you will miss the train.

If it rains today you will get wet.

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.

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3. TYPE 2 CONDITIONAL (UNREAL CONDITION)
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 past subjunctive, and the main clause uses the present conditional.

If clause Main clause

If + past subjunctive present conditional (S + would/could/should + V)

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

If it rained you would get wet.

If I spoke Italian I would be working in Italy.

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.

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 (S+ would/could/should + have + PP)

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 promotion I would have been working in Milan.

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.

5. MIXED TYPE CONDITIONAL

A. PRESENT RESULT OF A PAST CONDITION
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

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present. In these mixed conditional sentences, the if clause uses the past perfect, and the main
clause uses the present conditional.

If clause Main clause

If + past perfect present conditional (S + would/could/should + V)

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.

B. PAST RESULT OF PRESENT CONDITION

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 (the if clause uses the past subjunctive, and
the main clause uses the perfect conditional.)

If clause Main clause

If + past subjunctive perfect conditional (S+ would/could/should + have + PP)

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

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.

Conditional If clause verb Main clause verb

Usage
sentence type tense tense

Zero General truths Simple present Simple present

A possible condition and its

Type 1 Simple present Simple future
probable result

A hypothetical (unreal present)

Type 2 Past subjunctive Present conditional
condition and its probable result

An unreal past condition and its

Type 3 Past perfect Perfect conditional
probable result in the past