Conditionals and wishes Verb forms in the conditional clause

Conditional sentences consider imagined or uncertain situations and the possible The verb in the conditional clause may be in the simple form or the continuous form,
results of these situations. There are different types of conditions. Some are possible or depending on the meaning:
likely, others are unlikely, and others are impossible. We use a range of expressions to If you owe money, you must pay it back immediately. (simple)
talk about conditions.
If you’re feeling hungry, we can go and get something to eat. (continuous)
If he had time, he always called in to see us. (simple)
Conditionals If they were working, we always tried not to disturb them. (continuous)
Conditionals: imagined situations
Conditional sentences consider imagined or uncertain situations and the possible
results of these situations. The most common types of conditional sentences involve if:
[imagined situation]If I get the job in Milan, [result]I’ll be pretty happy. Conditionals: if
[outcome]We’ll have the party in the garden [imagined situation]as long as it doesn’t
rain. (or … if it doesn’t rain. or … on condition that it doesn’t rain.) Imagined conditions

There are different types of conditions. Some are possible or likely, others are unlikely,
Conditional sentences and others are impossible:

Conditional sentences consist of a conditional clause and a main clause: If the weather improves, we’ll go for a walk. (It is possible or likely that the weather
will improve.)
[conditional clause]If a lot of people come, [main clause]we’ll have to get extra chairs.
If the weather improved, we could go for a walk. (It is not likely that the weather will
[conditional clause]Unless you book weeks in advance, [main clause]you won’t get a flight. improve.)
The verb in the conditional clause reflects the speaker’s point of view on whether the If the weather had improved, we could have gone for a walk. (The weather did not
imagined situation is likely or impossible: improve – fine weather is therefore an impossible condition.)
If you win the next match, will you be in the semi-final? (present simple + will indicates These types of conditions are used in three types of sentences, called first, second and
the speaker thinks winning the match is possible or likely) third conditional sentences.
If I won a million pounds, I would give this job up tomorrow! (past simple
+ would indicates the speaker thinks winning a million pounds is not likely to happen)
If we had won the competition, we would have had a free trip to Moscow. (past perfect Imagined conditions: the first conditional
+ would have refers to an impossible condition – the event did not happen)
We use the first conditional to talk about the result of an imagined future situation,
when we believe the imagined situation is quite likely:
Order of clauses [imagined future situation]If the taxi doesn’t come soon, [future result]I’ll drive you myself.
Conditional clauses usually come before main clauses but they may also come after
them: First conditional: form
If you see Dora, will you give her a message? (conditional clause first; a comma is
normally used in writing)
conditional clause main clause
I’ll go to Bristol tomorrow if the weather is good. (conditional clause second; a comma
is not normally used in writing)
modal verb with future meaning
if + present simple
(shall/should/will/would/can/could/may/might)

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 First and second conditional compared
conditional clause main clause
When we use the first conditional, we think the imagined situation is more likely to
happen than when we use the second conditional.
If he gets a job in Compare
he’ll have to get up early. It’s a long drive.
Liverpool,

first conditional second conditional

If Sheila rings, I might ask her to come over for dinner.

Warning: If the flight’s late, we’ll miss our

connection. If there were more buses, we would
We use the modal verb in the main clause, not in the conditional clause. leave the car at home. (it is unlikely that
(it’s possible or likely that the flight will there will be more buses)
If a lawyer reads the document, we will see if we’ve missed anything important. be late)
Not: If a lawyer will read the document…

I’ll come and give a hand if He would buy a flat if he had the money
Imagined conditions: the second conditional you need help moving your stuff. (it is for a deposit. (it is unlikely that he will
possible or likely that you will need help) have the money)
We use the second conditional to talk about the possible result of an imagined situation
in the present or future. We say what the conditions must be for the present or future
situation to be different.
Imagined conditions: the third conditional
If people complained, things would change. (People don’t complain at themoment.)
We use the third conditional when we imagine a different past, where something did or
Second conditional: form did not happen, and we imagine a different result:
If I had played better, I would have won. (I didn’t play well and I didn’t win.)

conditional clause main clause It would have been easier if George had brought his own car. (George didn’t bring his
own car, so the situation was difficult.)
If the dog hadn’t barked, we wouldn’t have known there was someone in the
modal verb with future-in-the-past meaning garden. (The dog barked, so we knew there was someone in the garden.)
if + past simple
(should/would/might/could)
Third conditional: form
If you asked her
she would say yes, I’m sure.
nicely,
conditional
main clause
clause
We use a past form in the conditional clause to indicate a distance from reality, rather
than indicating past time. We often use past forms in this way in English.
Warning: modal verb with future-in-the-past meaning
if + past perfect
(should/would/might/could) + have + -ed form
We use would in the main clause, not in the conditional clause:
If you decided to take the exam, you would have to register by 31 March.
If they had
they would have arrived on time.
Not: If you would decide to take the exam … left earlier,

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Warning: We can also use modal verbs in the main clause:
We use would have + -ed in the main clause, not in the conditional clause: If we go out, we can usually get a baby sitter. (Every time we go out, it is usually
possible to get a babysitter.)
If he had stayed in the same room as Dave, it would have been a disaster.
If we wanted someone to fix something, we would ask our neighbour. He was always
Not: If he would have stayed … it would have been a disaster. ready to help. (Every time we wanted someone, we would ask our neighbour.)
People do sometimes use the form with would have in informal speaking, but many
speakers consider it incorrect.
Types of conditional: summary

Real conditionals The table shows how the main types of conditionals relate to one another.

Some conditions seem more real to us than others. Real conditionals refer to things that
are true, that have happened, or are very likely to happen: less likely/less
true likely/possible impossible
possible
If you park here, they clamp your wheels. (It is always true that they clamp your wheels
if, or every time, you park here.)
If I can’t sleep, I listen to the radio. (it is often true that I can’t sleep, so I listen to the real first second third
radio)
In real conditional sentences, we can use the present simple or present continuous in If it snows, If we had more
both clauses for present situations, and the past simple or past continuous in both If she gets the job, If the rent had
we get our students, we would
clauses for past situations. We can use these in various different combinations. we’ll celebrate. been lower, I would
skis out. run the course.
have taken the flat.
(It is possible or
(We do this (It is less likely or
Present simple + present simple likely she will get (The rent was not
every time it unlikely that we will
the job.) low enough.)
snows.) get more students.)
If the weather is fine, we eat outside on the terrace. (Every time this happens, this is
what we do.)

Present continuous + present simple If + should

If the kids are enjoying themselves, we just let them go on playing till they’re ready for We can use if with should to refer to events which might happen by chance or by
bed. (Every time this happens, this is what we do.) accident:
If you should bump into Carol, can you tell her I’m looking for her? (If by chance you
Present continuous + present continuous bump into Carol.)
If the government should ever find itself in this situation again, it is to be hoped it
If the economy is growing by 6%, then it is growing too fast. (If it is true that the would act more quickly.
economy is growing by 6%, then it is true that it is growing too fast.)

Past simple + past simple Conditional clauses with will or would

If my father had a day off, we always went to see my granddad. (Every time that Will and would can be used in conditional clauses, either with the meaning of ‘being
happened in the past, that is what we did.) willing to do something’, or to refer to later results:
If Clare will meet us at the airport, it will save us a lot of time. (if Clare is willing to
Past simple + past continuous meet us)
If you would all stop shouting, I will try and explain the situation!
Kevin always came in to say hello if he was going past our house. (Every time he was
going past our house, that is what he did.)

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If it will make you happy, I’ll stay at home tonight. (If it is true that you will be happy Conditionals: other expressions (unless, should, as
as a result, I’ll stay at home tonight.)
long as)
We sometimes stress the will or would, especially if we doubt that the result will be the
one mentioned: Unless
If it really would save the planet, I’d stop using my car tomorrow. (If it really is true
that the planet would be saved as a result, I would stop using my car, but I doubt it is Conditional clauses can begin with unless. Unless means something similar to ‘if …
true.) not’ or ‘except if’.
The verb forms in the examples are similar to sentences with if: we use the present
simple in the unless-clause and shall, should, will, would, can, could, may or might in
Mixed conditionals the main clause:
Often, things that did or did not happen in the past have results which continue or are Unless I phone you, you can assume the train’s on time. (If I do not phone you /except
still important in the present. We can emphasise this by using if with a past perfect verb, if I phone you, you can assume the train is on time.)
and would in the main clause.
We’ll have to cancel the show unless we sell more tickets at the last minute. (We’ll have
If I hadn’t met Charles, I wouldn’t be here now. (I met Charles so I’m here now.) to cancel the show if we do not sell more tickets/except if we sell more tickets at the last
minute.)
She wouldn’t still be working for us if we hadn’t given her a pay-rise. (We gave her a
pay-rise so she is still working for us now.) Warning:

We don’t use unless for impossible conditions:

Conditionals in speaking If the government had not raised food prices, there would not have been so many
protests.
Spoken English:
Not: Unless the government had raised food prices …
In speaking, we often use if-clauses without main clauses, especially when asking
people politely to do things. If is usually followed by will, would, can or could when it is Warning:
used to be polite:
We don’t use unless and if together:
[Shop assistant to customer]
We’ll go to the coast tomorrow unless it rains.
If you would just sign here, please. (a more polite way of saying Just sign here, please.)
Not: We’ll go to the coast tomorrow unless if it rains.
[A is writing something for B and having difficulty]
A:
Should you (Should with inversion)

If I could have a better pen … In formal situations, we can use should + subject (s) + verb (v) instead of if:
B: 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 …)
Here, use this one.
Should your child become anxious or nervous about any activity, it is a good idea to
A: inform the team-leader. (or If your child should become …)
Thanks.
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 …)

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Had Margaret realised she would be travelling alone, she would never have agreed to We’d better send it express, otherwise it’ll take days. (If we do not send it express, it
go. will take days.)

If + were to Supposing

In formal situations, we can use if + were to when we talk about things that might Supposing may be used with a conditional meaning. It can be used in first, second or
happen but which we think are unlikely: third conditional sentences. The speaker invites the listener to imagine a situation:
If the Prime Minister were to resign, there would have to be a general election within Supposing I don’t arrive till after midnight, will the guest-house still be open? (Imagine
30 days. if I don’t arrive till after midnight …)
In even more formal styles, we use were + subject-verb inversion + to-infinitive: Supposing you lost your passport, you’d have to go to the embassy, wouldn’t you?
[V]Were [S]we [to -INF]togive up the fight now, it would mean the end of democracy in Supposing he hadn’t recognised us – he might never have spoken to us.
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 …)
Conditionals: typical errors
As long as, so long as, providing, etc.  We don’t use will and would in the conditional clause:
Sometimes we need to impose specific conditions or set limits on a situation. In these If you book before April 30th, you will receive a 20% discount.
cases, conditional clauses can begin with phrases such as as long as, so long as, only if,
Not: If you will book before April 30th, you will receive a 20% discount.
on condition that, providing (that), provided (that).
If we had a bigger flat, we could invite friends to come and stay.
As long as is more common in speaking; so long as and on condition that are more
formal and more common in writing: Not: If we would have a bigger flat, we could invite friends to come and stay.
[to a group of children] If the weather hadn’t been so bad, I could have gone to meet them.
You can play in the living room as long as you don’t make a mess. Not: If the weather would not have been so bad, I could have gone to meet them.
So long as a tiger stands still, it is invisible in the jungle.  We don’t use shall or will in the main clause in second conditional sentences:
The bank lent the company 100,000 pounds on condition that they repaid the money If you worked harder, you would earn more money.
within six months.
Not: … you will earn more money.
Providing (that) is more common in speaking; provided (that) is more formal and more
common in written language:  We don’t use unless and if together:

[talking about rail travel in the UK] I’ll try to get there about 6.30 unless you want me to arrive earlier.

You can get a senior citizen’s reduction providing you’ve got a railcard. Not: I’ll try to get there about 6.30 unless if you want me to arrive earlier.

They may do whatever they like provided that it is within the law.
If only
Or and otherwise

We often use or and otherwise with conditional meanings: We use if only to express a strong wish that things could be different. It means the same
as I wish but is stronger. We use it to talk about past, present and future unreal
You’ve got to start studying, or you’ll fail all those exams. (If you don’t start studying,
conditions.
you will fail the exams.)
We use if only + past verb forms to talk about a wish for the present:
[talking about sending a package by mail]
If only he knew the truth. (he doesn’t know the truth, but he wishes he did)

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Not: If only he knows the truth. I’ll take cash in case we need it on the ferry. (we don’t know if we will need cash on the
ferry)
If only there was something she could do or say to help.
Not: If only there is something she could do or say to help. In case of

We sometimes use were instead of was in more formal situations: We use in case of + noun to mean ‘if and when something happens’:
If only she weren’t so tired. (If only she wasn’t so tired.) [notice in a lift]
To talk about a wish for the future or to show a contrast between how things are and In case of breakdown, please press the alarm button and call this number. (if and when
how we would like them to be, we use if only + would + infinitive without to: the lift breaks down, …)
If only someone would buy the house.
If only they would talk to each other.
We use if only + past perfect to talk about a wish to change something that has already
happened:
Suppose, supposing and what if
If only he had listened to what his friends had been telling him. (He didn’t listen.) Suggestions
If only Anna had been able to come. (Anna wasn’t able to come.)
We use suppose, supposing and what if + present verb form to make suggestions about
what might happen:
A:

In case (of) What time shall we meet?

In case is a conjunction or adverb. In case of is a preposition. B:

Suppose we meet in the offices downstairs at four o’clock?

In case
A:
We use in case to talk about things we should do in order to be prepared for possible
future situations: That’s perfect. I’ll let the others know.

Shall I keep some chicken salad for your brother in case he’s hungry when he gets Supposing I don’t bring my car and you and I travel together. That would save us
here? (conjunction) half the cost of petrol and parking.

In case I forget later, here are the keys to the garage. (conjunction) A:

She knows she’s passed the oral exam, but she doesn’t want to say anything just in The electricity has gone. There must be a power cut.
case. (adverb) B:
We don’t use in case to mean ‘if’.
What if we find the candles and put them around the room?
Compare
A:

Okay. Good idea. Do you know where they are?

Let’s take our swimming costumes in We don’t know if there is a pool
case there’s a pool at the hotel. there. Possibility

When we are less certain, we use suppose, supposing and what if + past form to talk
about future possibility:
Let’s take our swimming costumes if there’s a We will wait until we know about
pool in the hotel. the pool before we decide. Suppose we asked Mary to baby-sit? Do you think she’d do it? (not as certain
as Suppose we ask Mary to baby-sit?)

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Supposing someone else wrote the essay. How would we know? (not as certain Wish + indirect object + direct object
as Supposing someone else writes the essay …)
We use wish with two objects, an indirect object + a direct object (underlined), for
A:
expressions of good wishes and hopes that good things will happen to people:
What if I gave up working full-time. I’d love that. (io = indirect object; do = direct object)
B: I wish [IO]you [DO]success in your new job.
You’re joking surely!! I’ve got my driving test tomorrow. Wish [IO]me [DO]luck!
When we refer to something that did not happen (something hypothetical), we use the We wish [IO]you [DO]a long and happy life together.
past perfect:
Suppose we hadn’t brought our umbrellas. (We did bring our umbrellas.) Wish + that-clause

Supposing they had closed the road. Would that have been a good idea? (They didn’t We use wish with a that-clause when we regret or are sorry that things are not different.
close the road.) We imagine a different past or present:
What if I had accidentally told Maria about the party! That would have ruined the I just wish that everything could be as it used to be.
surprise. (I didn’t tell Maria about the party.)
In informal situations, we usually omit that:
Warning:
I wish I had his mobile phone number; we could tell him the good news. (I don’t have
We use be supposed to to talk about obligations and arrangements, not suggestions. his mobile phone number; it would be good if I had it.)
You are supposed to put money in the parking meter! I wish you hadn’t told me how the film ends. You’ve spoilt it for me. (You told me how
the film ends; it would have been better if you had not told me.)

Wish + verb forms in the that-clause

Wish
The verb forms we use in that-clauses after wish are similar to the verb forms in
Wish + to-infinitive conditional clauses after if. We use a past verb form for present and future meanings.
Compare
When we use wish followed by a verb in the to-infinitive form, wish means the same
as want, but it is more formal. We do not normally use wish in the continuous form
when we use it with a to-infinitive: if wish
I wish to speak to Mr Hennessy, please.
Not: I’m wishing to speak to … It would be good if we had a bigger car. I wish we had a bigger car.
We don’t use a that-clause after wish when it is a more formal version of want:
I wish to visit you in the summer, if possible.
It would be good if I knew how to use this I wish I knew how to use this DVD
Not: I wish (that) I visit you in the summer … DVD player. player.
We can use an object (underlined), before the to-infinitive:
When we wish something about the past, we use the past perfect after wish:
I did not wish my family to know about Sara, so I told them nothing.
I wish I had known Charlie was coming. I would have invited Jane. (I didn’t know it
When we use an object after wish, we must also use a verb in the to-infinitive form.
and did not invite Jane.)
Alternatively, we can say want or (more politely) would like:
I wish I hadn’t said that. I can see I’ve upset you. Sorry. (I did say it; it would have
We wish to have a table near the window, please. (or We would like a table near the
been better if I had not said it.)
window, please.)
Not: We wish a table near the window …

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Wish + would

We can use wish + would if we are annoyed about something that is or is not
happening, or about something that will or will not happen:
I wish you’d stop making so much noise! (You are making a noise; it would be better if
you didn’t.)
I wish you wouldn’t come through the kitchen with your dirty boots on. (You do come
through the kitchen; it would be better if you didn’t.)
In informal situations, we can use wish in the continuous form like this:
He’s embarrassing everyone. I’m just wishing he would go away!
Warning:

We use hope, not wish, when we want something to happen in the future or when we
want something to have happened in the past:
I hope the weather’s fine tomorrow.
Not: I wish the weather’s fine tomorrow.
I hope they didn’t miss their flight.
Not: I wish they didn’t miss their flight.

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