Conditional sentences

Watch out:

1. Which type of conditional sentences is it?

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 *

III Past Perfect would + have + past participle *

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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

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

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 type   Examples

    long forms short/contracted forms

If I study, I will not fail the exam. If I study, I won't 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
If I didn't study, I'd fail the exam.
exam.

If I had studied, I would have If I'd studied, I'd have passed the

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

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

 I would pass the exam.

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Conditional sentences – type I

1. Use

It is possible to fulfil a condition which is given in the if-clause.

2. Form

if clause main clause

will-future

Simple Present infinitive

Modal + infinitive

3. Examples

if clause main clause

If I study, I will pass the exams.

If you see John tonight, tell him to e-mail me.

If Ben gets up early, he can catch the bus.

The if-clause can be at the beginning or at the end of a sentence.

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if clause main clause

If I study, I will pass the exams.

main clause if clause

I will pass the exams if I study.

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Conditional sentences – type II

1. Use

It is theoretically possible to fulfil a condition which is given in the if-clause.

2. Form

if clause main clause

would + infinitive

Simple Past could + infinitive

might + infinitive

3. Examples

if clause main clause

If I studied, I would pass the exams.

If I studied, I could pass the exams.

If I studied, I might pass the exams.

The if-clause can be at the beginning or at the end of a sentence.

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if clause main clause

If I studied, I would pass the exams.

main clause if clause

I would pass the exams if I studied.

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Conditional sentences – type III

1. Use

It is impossible to fulfil a condition which is given in the if-clause.

2. Form

if clause main clause

would + have + past participle

Past Perfect could + have + past participle

might + have + past participle

3. Examples

if clause main clause

If I had studied, I would have passed the exams.

If I had studied, I could have passed the exams.

If I had studied, I might have passed the exams.

The if-clause can be at the beginning or at the end of a sentence.

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if clause main clause

If I had studied, I would have passed the exams.

main clause if clause

I would have passed the exams if I had studied.

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 Mixed conditionals

How conditional sentences are mixed

Unreal conditionals (type II + III) sometimes can be mixed, that is, the time of the if clause is
different from the one of the main clause.

1. Past → Present

 If I had taken an aspirin, I wouldn't have a headache now.

2. Past → Future

 If I had known that you are going to come by tomorrow, I would be in then.

3. Present → Past

 If she had enough money, she could have done this trip to Hawaii.

4. Present → Future

 If I were you, I would be spending my vacation in Seattle.

5. Future → Past

 If I weren't flying to Detroit, I would have planned a trip to Vancouver.

6. Future → Present

 If I were taking this exam next week, I would be high-strung.

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