CONDITIONAL

IF RESULT
1º Present Tense Future Tense
2º Past Tense Conditional Tense
3º Past Perfect Tense Perfect Conditional

Conditionals often refer to an “if clause1”, where something must happen first so
that something else can happen, and implies sentences that express real
possibilities, and those that express unreal situations A conditional sentence
contains a main clause and a dependent clause beginning with if. The if clause can
come either at the beginning or the end of the sentence. The negative and
interrogative forms can be used too.
 We wouldn’t work if we were millionaires.
 What will you do if you fail the exam?
 If John doesn’t come, we won’t be able to play tennis.

 FIRST CONDITIONAL (future possible)

If + present tense clause + will + infinitive without to
If we play tennis I will win

 SECOND CONDITIONAL
If + past simple clause + would + infinitive without to
If we played tennis I would win
 THIRD CONDITIONAL
If + past perfect clause + would have + past participle
If we had played tennis I would have won

 ZERO CONTIONAL
Zero conditional sentences refer to “all time”, not just the present or the
future. They express a situation that is always true. If means when or
whenever, e.g. “If you spend over $ 20 at that supermarket, you get a
5% discount.”

1
Clause: A group of words that includes a subject and a verb, forming a sentence or part of a sentence : In the
sentence “He often visits Spain because he likes the climate”, “He often visits Spain” is a main clause and “because
he likes the climate” is a subordinate clause.
Real Possibilities
 If it rains, we will stay home. (if + Present Simple + will)
 If you have finished your work, you can go home. (if + Present Perfect +
modal auxiliary verb)
 If you are feeling ill, go home and get into bed. (if + Present Continuous
+ imperative)

Unreal Situations
 If we were rich, I would not have any problems. (if + were + would)
 If I stopped smoking, I could run faster. (if + Past Simple + modal
auxiliary verb)
 You would understand me better if you came from my country. (would
+ if + Past Simple)

1. First Conditional (future possible)

If + present tense clause + will + infinitive without to
We use the first conditional (type A) when there is a real possibility of something
happening.

 Use
1. First Conditional sentences are used to express the consequences of a
possible future event which is probable to happen, e.g. If the bank lends me
the money, I will buy a house.

Condition (if clause) Result (result clause)

If I find a jumper that suits you, I will buy it for you.
If you can’t do the homework, give me a ring.
If you can find my purse, I might buy you an ice cream.
If you have not been to Wales, you should go there one day.
If John phones tonight, I’ll pretend I’m not home.

2. We often use the First Conditional to express promises, threats, offers or

warnings, all of which express a possible condition and a probable result.
  If you do that again, I’ll kill you! (a threat)
 Careful! If you touch that, you’ll burn yourself! (a warning)
 I’ll post the letter if you like. (an offer)
 If you lend me $ 100, I’ll love you forever. (a promise)
 If you’re a good boy, I’ll buy you an ice cream. (a promise)
 If you do that again, I’ll phone the police. (a warning)

 Form: If + present tense clause + will + infinitive without to

Either the if clause or the consequence clause can come first. When the if clause
comes second, there is usually no comma between the clauses: I’ll give him the
letter if I see him. We do not usually use “will” in the if clause.

Positive
 If I find your wallet, I’ll let you know.
 We’ll come and see you on Sunday if the weather’s good.
Negative
 You won’t pass the exams if you don’t revise.
 If you lose your ticket, you won’t be able to go.
Question
 What will you do if you don’t find a job?
 If there isn’t a hotel, where will you stay?
If can be replaced by unless (if ... not) or in case (because of the possibility...).
 Unless I hear from you, I’ll arrive at 8 o’clock.
 I’ll take my umbrella in case it rains.

Note, we can also use could instead of will and would in first conditional sentences.
 If it stops raining, we could go for a walk
 If I won a million pounds, I could give up work.

2. Second Conditional (present contrary to fact)

If + past simple clause + would + infinitive without to
This second conditional (type B sentence) has a past tense in the if clause and
would, could or might. Although past tense forms are used, they refer to
hypothetical or unreal conditions in the present, or when we are just speculating,
e.g. If the bank lent me the money, I would buy a house.

 Use
1. We use Second Conditional to talk about the consequences of an event that is
possible but its situation or condition is improbable, impossible, imaginary to
happen or contrary to known facts.

 If I were the President of my country, I’d increase taxation (But it’s not
very likely that I will ever be the president)
 If my mother was still alive, she would be very proud. (But she is dead)
 If Ted needed any money, I would lend it to him. (But he doesn’t need it)
 If I won a million pounds, I would buy a yacht and sail around the world.

2. We also use the second conditional when we want to be less direct in what
we say.
 If I washed your car, would you let me borrow it?

3. Other modal verbs are possible in the result clause.

 I could buy some new clothes if I had some money.
 If I saved a little every week, I might be able to save up for a car.
 If you wanted that job, you would have to apply very soon.

4. “Were” is often used instead of “was” in the first and third person singular,
specially in formal English, and to give advice:
 If I were you, I’d apologize.
 I’d take it easy for a while if I were you.
 If I were you, I would see a doctor.

 Form: If + past simple clause + would + infinitive without to

Positive
 If I won some money, I’d go round the world.
 My father would kill me if he could see me now.
Negative
 I’d give up my job if I didn’t like it.
 If I saw a ghost, I wouldn’t talk to it.
Question
 What would you do if you saw somebody shoplifting?
 If you needed help, who would you ask?

Note, we can also use could instead of will and would in second conditional
sentences.

 If it stops raining, we could go for a walk

 If I won a million pounds, I could give up work.

3. Third Conditional (contrary to the fact)

If + past perfect clause + would have + past participle

The third conditional (type C) is sometimes called “the impossible conditional”

because the implication is that the event didn’t happen.

 Use
1. We use the third conditional to talk about events or situations which are
completely in the past and cannot be changed. We are imagining the opposite
of what actually happened.

 If he had been more careful, he wouldn’t have broken the vase.

 If I had known your address, I would have written to you.
 What would have happened if Franco had died in the Spanish Civil
War?

2. We often use the third conditional when we want to express regrets and talk
about lost opportunities.

 If we’d set off earlier, we wouldn’t have missed the train.

 I would have been more understanding if I’d known she was feeling
homesick.
  Form: If + past perfect clause + would have + past participle
Positive
 If I had known he was in town, I would have invited him to the party

Be careful: You cannot use “would have” in the if clause.

Question

 What would have happened if someone had seen you?

 What would you have done if you’d been in his position?
 Would you have phoned the police if you’d been in his position?

4. If and Unless
We can express some conditionals in two ways:

1. If you don’t go to Paris, you will miss the exhibition.

2. If you don’t make back up copies of your files, you might lose them.
3. If George isn’t at home, he must be at the office.
4. You mustn’t use any computer if I don’t give you permission.
5. You can’t leave the system if you don’t log out.

Or

6. Unless you go to Paris, you will miss the exhibition.

7. Unless you make back up copies of your files, you might lose them.
8. Unless George is at home, he must be at the office.
9. You mustn’t use any computer unless I give you permission.
10.You can’t leave the system unless you log out.

In 1,2,3,4,5 we use if and the negative form of the verb.

In 7,8,9,10 we use unless and the affirmative form.
 EXERCISES FIRST CONDITIONALS
A. Complete these sentences with the form of the verb in parentheses that will
make them first conditional.
Example
If he…………….. (join) the political club, he’ll have a chance to run for office.
If he joins the political club, he’ll have a chance to run for office.

1. If the lumber comes, they………………(pour) the concrete today.

2. If they ……………. (give) him a scholarship, he can go to college.
3. If they learn skills in school, they……………..(have) a chance to improve
themselves.
4. If you eat the proper food and get a lot of exercises, you …………….(be)
strong.
5. If the city grows, they…………………..(have) to build more houses and
buildings.
6. If she ………………(quit) her job now, she won’t get her pension.
7. If he ………………..(call) me, I’ll tell you what he says.
8. If they take a boat trip around Manhattan, they……………………. (see) all the
skyscrapers and bridges.
9. If she ………………..(get) home early, she can work in the garden for a while.
10.If the weather……………….(be) nice next weekend, we can ride our bikes in
the park.
11.If it ………………..(snow), we’ll have to stay in the house.
12.If they go to the park, they……………….. (see) flowers, trees, and grass.

B. Combine the sentences so that they form future possible conditions.

Example
It may rain tomorrow. Then we can’t ride our bikes in park.
If it rains tomorrow, we can’t ride our bikes in the park.

1. We may finish our work today. Then we won’t get overtime.

…………………………………………………………………………………
2. We may lose this election. Then he’ll try again two years from now.
……………………………………………………………………………………

3. She may win the election in Houston. Then she’ll try to run for Congress two
years from now.
……………………………………………………………………………………

4. She may join a book club. Then she’ll be able to read all the best sellers.
……………………………………………………………………………………

5. They may fix this street. Then they’ll have to close it to traffic.
……………………………………………………………………………………

6. He may be late. Then we’ll have to wait for him.

……………………………………………………………………………………

7. They may move to the city. Then they won’t need a car.
……………………………………………………………………………………

8. He may not get enough exercise. Then he’ll weigh too much.
……………………………………………………………………………………

9. They may move to Florida. Then they’ll have to sell their house in New York.
……………………………………………………………………………………

10.We may visit New York. Then we’ll stay with friends there.
……………………………………………………………………………………

C. Henry Bucks is a multimillionaire. He is young, healthy and

single. He can do anything he wants. Steve Jobless is very poor. He is old, ill
and has no money. Complete the comments on what Steve and Henry say.
Example
Henry: I want to go to the Bahamas, but I’m not sure I have time.
Comment: If Henry has time, he will go to the Bahamas.
Steve: I want to buy a bicycle, but I haven’t got money.
Comment: If Steve had some money he would buy a bicycle.

1. Henry: Perhaps I’ll go to London and buy a Rolls Royce.

……………………………………………………………………………………
 2. Steve: I like walking in the park, but I feel tired.
……………………………………………………………………………………
3. Henry: I’m expecting a phone call from Sally. We’re going to the opera.
……………………………………………………………………………………

4. Steve: I want emigrate to France, but I can’t speak French.

……………………………………………………………………………………

5. Henry: I’m going to play Polo tomorrow with Prince John. But not if it rains.
……………………………………………………………………………………

6. Steve: It’s my friend’s birthday today, but I can’t go to the party because I
haven’t got a clean shirt.
……………………………………………………………………………………

7. Henry: I bought 100 lottery tickets yesterday. The winner of the lottery will get
twenty thousand pounds.
……………………………………………………………………………………

D. Answer the questions using the first conditional

Example:
What does the student do if she doesn’t know the meaning of a word?
If the student doesn’t know the meaning of a word, the student
will look it up in a dictionary

1. What does the doctor do if he feels depressed?

………………………………………………………………………………………..

2. What does the businessman do if he feels lonely?

………………………………………………………………………………………..

3. What does the woman do if she wants to relax?

………………………………………………………………………………………..

4. What does the woman do if she gets a headache?

………………………………………………………………………………………..

5. What would you do if you have to get up very early?

………………………………………………………………………………………
 EXERCISES SECOND CONDITIONALS
A. Complete these sentences with the form of the verb in parentheses that will
make them second conditional.
Example
If I…………….. (be) in a hurry, I would take a taxi.
If I were in a hurry, I would take a taxi.

1. If he …….…………… (go) home, he wouldn’t be able to find a job there either.

2. If it ……………………..………………. (be raining), I’d carry my umbrella.
3. If I had any money, I ….…………………………. (lend) you a few dollars.
4. I ………………………………. (read) more if I had more time for myself.
5. If there ……………………. (be) more workers, they would finish the building
this month.
6. If he went to Los Angeles, he …………………………….. (end) up without a
job.
7. They would be able to improve their lives if they ...…………(have) more skills.
8. If there ……………………………… (be) a park near their apartment, they
would exercise more.
9. If she …………………. (took) a taxi now, she would be able to arrive on time.
10.If they visited Orlando, they ……………………..(visit) Universal Studios.
11. If you ……………………….. (want) to borrow a few dollars, I wouldn’t ask
you any questions.
12. If you ………………….. (go) to him, he would be delighted.

B. Change these sentences to the second conditional.

Example
If he studies programming, he’ll be able to get a better job.
If he studied programming, he’d be able to get a better job.

1. If there’s anything good on television, I’ll stay home tonight.

………………………………………………………………………………………
2. If she earns more money, she’ll move to the suburbs.
……………………………………………………………………………………
3. If he wants to go with us, he’ll let us know.
………………………………………………………………………………………
4. If she carries a book with her, she’ll be able to read on the subway.
……………………………………………………………………………………
5. If you attend all the lectures, you’ll learn a lot.
……………………………………………………………………………………
6. If I’m not busy, I’ll go with you.
……………………………………………………………………………………
7. If the plane is late, we can take the train.
……………………………………………………………………………………
8. If there’s an exam this week, he’ll have to stay home and study.
……………………………………………………………………………………
9. It isn’t raining. I don’t need to wear my raincoat.
……………………………………………………………………………………
10. It isn’t a nice day. We can’t ride our bikes in the park.
……………………………………………………………………………………
11. I don’t’ understand the lesson. I cant do the home work.
……………………………………………………………………………………
12.Today isn’t Sunday. We can’t go to the beach.
………………………………………………………………………………………
13. She doesn’t get up early. She doesn’t get to work on time.
……………………………………………………………………………………
14.He doesn’t like math. He can’t study accounting.
………………………………………………………………………………………
15.He isn’t a good cook. He doesn’t’ invite his friends to dinner.
………………………………………………………………………………………
16.The truck isn’t late. We don’t get any overtime.
………………………………………………………………………………………
17.She doesn’t have a job. She can’t pay back the money that she borrowed him.
………………………………………………………………………………………
 18.I don’t have a spare ticket. I can’t take you to the concert.
………………………………………………………………………………………
19. She drinks too much coffee. She doesn’t’ feel calm.
………………………………………………………………………………………
20. He can’t type. He isn’t able to operate a computer.
………………………………………………………………………………………
21.They don’t understand the problem. They won’t find a solution.
………………………………………………………………………………………
22. He sits around too much. He isn’t fit.
………………………………………………………………………………………
23. She is not in your position. She isn’t able to advise you.
……………………………………………………………………………………
24. I am in a hurry. I won’t stay to dinner.
………………………………………………………………………………………
25. He’s not a millionaire. He won’t be buy you a palace.
………………………………………………………………………………………
26. The weather isn’t sunny. We won’t stay indoors.
………………………………………………………………………………………
27. I am fit. I will go climbing.
………………………………………………………………………………………

C. Supply the correct forms of the missing verbs. Use could, would, or might in the
main clause.
Example:
If she were/was (be) here now, she could give (give) us some advice.
1. If he ……………… (fail) in his present job, he ……………….……(think)
about another career.
2. If you ………….…….. (can play) a musical instrument, you ……………..…
(help) with the second orchestra.
3. If they ………………..(have) the right qualifications, the……………………
(be able to) apply for better jobs.
4. If she …………………….. (can have) some lessons, she ………………….
(improve) her performance.
5. If we ………………. (run) our business, we ……………………………….
(be) more independent.
 6. If John …………………… (go) to his home town, he …………………….
(visit) his mother.
EXERCISES THIRD CONDITIONAL
A. Complete these sentences with the form of the verb in parentheses that will
make them second conditional.
Example
If he…………….. (be) in a hurry, he would have taken a taxi.
If he would have been in a hurry, I would take a taxi.

1. If he had missed the bus, she ………..…………………………(be) late for

work.
2. If he ………………………………………. (speak) better English, he could
have gotten a job more easily.
3. If she had learned how to operate a sewing machine, she ………………………..
(get) a job in a clothing workshop.
4. If the truck had been on time, we ……………………………………. (finish) the
work today.
5. If she had lost the election, she ……..……………………………… (go) back to
her law office.
6. If he ………………..…………………. (join) a political club, he would have
run for office.
7. If she …………………………………… (study) mathematics, she would have
been an engineer.
8. If he ……….…………………………(sing) for you, you would have enjoyed it.
9. If you had seen the pictures, you …………………………………… (like) them.
10. If he ………………………………….(made) out his lesson plans, he could
have gone home.
11. If they had moved to the suburbs, they …………………………………………..
(spent) two hours everyday getting to and from the city.
12. If she had liked the house, they ……………………………….……….. (buy) it.

B. Change these sentences to the third conditional.

Example
If he retires, they’ll move to Florida.
If he had retired, they would have moved to Florida.

1. If they send the package by airmail, it will get there faster.

………………………………………………………………………………………
2. If she does a good job, they’ll give her a promotion.
……………………………………………………………………………………
3. If you turn the corner, you’ll see the post office.
……………………………………………………………………………………
4. If he quits his job, he’ll lose his pension.
……………………………………………………………………………………
5. If she shakes hands with enough voters, they may remember her on election
day……………………………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………………………..

6. If the children learn more skills, they’ll have a better chance in life.
……………………………………………………………………………………
7. If he runs out of unemployment pay, he can borrow some money from his
friends………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………..
8. If they stay in Puerto Rico, they’ll settle down on a farm.
………………………………………………………………………………………..
9. If I had enough money, I’d buy a bus ticket home.
………………………………………………………………………………………..
10. If he had a better job, he wouldn’t go to night school.
………………………………………………………………………………………..
11. If he left early, he’d miss the evening rush hour.
………………………………………………………………………………………..
12. If it were a nice day, we could have a picnic in the park.
………………………………………………………………………………………..
13. If they had bicycles, they’d get more exercises.
………………………………………………………………………………………..
14. If I slept late, I wouldn’t get to school on time.
………………………………………………………………………………………..
15. If I were hungry, I’d go to a restaurant.
…………………………………………………………………………………..
 16. If she shared her own room with a friend, she’d save some money.
………………………………………………………………………………………..
17. If I weren’t busy, I’d write some letters.
………………………………………………………………………………………..
18. It wasn’t a good day. They couldn’t ride their bikes in the park.
………………………………………………………………………………………..
19. It wasn’t cold. I didn’t wear a heavy sweater.
………………………………………………………………………………………..
20. I didn’t go to school. I didn’t understand the lesson
………………………………………………………………………………………..
21.They didn’t move to the suburbs. They didn’t buy a car.
………………………………………………………………………………………..
22. She didn’t retire. They didn’t sell their house.
………………………………………………………………………………………..
23. He didn’t know how to dance. He couldn’t have a good time.
………………………………………………………………………………………..
24. She didn’t appeal to the voters. She didn’t win the elections.
………………………………………………………………………………………..
25.It wasn’t raining. He didn’t carry his umbrella.
………………………………………………………………………………………..
26.She didn’t like mathematics. She didn’t become an architect.
………………………………………………………………………………………..

C. Supply the correct forms of the missing verbs. Use could have (done) and might
have (done) in the main clause.
Example:
If I had managed (manage) to repair my car earlier, I could have
driven (drive) you to London.
1. If I ……………… ……….(know) last week that she was ill, I………………
……………………………………….………….(visit) her.
2. They ……………………………..………… (play) better, If they………….
…………………………..…………(have) more training.
3. If you ………………………..…..(not want) drive straight home, we ……….
……………………………..………………(miss) all this traffic.
4. If you …………………………… (ask) politely, I ………...…………………
………………………………………..(help) you.