Conditionals

Zero Conditional If you mix black and white, you get grey. If you mix black and white, you get grey. if clause main clause if clause main clause When water reaches 100˚C, it boils. When water reaches 100˚C, it boils. if clause main clause if clause main clause Structure: If + present simple – present simple Used to talk about a general truth or a scientific fact

1 st Conditional If the weather is good, I’ll go swimming. If the weather is good, I’ll go swimming. If clause main clause If clause main clause If I finish early tonight, I may catch a movie. If I finish early tonight, I may catch a movie. If clause main clause If clause main clause Meet me when you finish work. Meet me when you finish work. main clause hypothesis main clause hypothesis Structure: If + present simple – will (or other modal) +bare infinitive / imperative Used to talk about future possibilities, (sth possible to happen in the present or future) or ability depending on the modal used in the main clause (can). Used to talk about future possibilities, (sth possible to happen in the present or future) or ability depending on the modal used in the main clause (can). To give instructions/ commands (by using imperative in the main clause) To give instructions/ commands (by using imperative in the main clause)

2 nd Conditional If she knew his number, she would call him. If she knew his number, she would call him. If clause main clause If clause main clause If I had a lot of money, I’d buy a mansion. If I had a lot of money, I’d buy a mansion. If clause main clause If clause main clause If I were you, I’d take a second opinion. If I were you, I’d take a second opinion. If clause main clause If clause main clause If Jack was playing today, we would have a better If Jack was playing today, we would have a better a better chance of winning. a better chance of winning. If clause main clause If clause main clause Structure: If + past simple/ or past continuous– would/ could/ might + bare infinitive Used to talk about hypothetical or imaginary situations which are unlikely to happen in the present or future We can use the structure If I were you to give advice.

3 rd Conditional If he had worked harder, he would have passed the exam. If he had worked harder, he would have passed the exam. If clause main clause If clause main clause I wouldn’t have chosen that hotel If I had known it was so expensive. I wouldn’t have chosen that hotel If I had known it was so expensive. main clause If clause main clause If clause If I hadn’t been waiting for that flight, I wouldn’t have met Tom. If I hadn’t been waiting for that flight, I wouldn’t have met Tom. If clause main clause If clause main clause If you could have stayed another day, I would have taken on a cruise round the island. If you could have stayed another day, I would have taken on a cruise round the island. If clause main clause If clause main clause Structure: If + past perfect simple – would/ could/ might + have + past participle or If + past perfect continuous or If + past perfect continuous or If + modal perfect – modal perfect (as in the last example to talk about a hypothetical situation in the past) or If + modal perfect – modal perfect (as in the last example to talk about a hypothetical situation in the past) Used to talk about an unfulfilled condition in the past ( sth that didn’t happen in the past). It can also be used to express regret about the past (as in the second example) It can also be used to express regret about the past (as in the second example)

Inverted Conditionals We can make conditionals more formal by omitting if and starting the conditional clause with should, were or had. 1 st Conditional: 1 st Conditional: Should you hear anything about the upcoming event, let me know. Should you hear anything about the upcoming event, let me know. (If you hear/ If you happen to hear) (If you hear/ If you happen to hear) 2 nd Conditional: 2 nd Conditional: Were we to stop using fossil fuels tomorrow, it would still take decades for the planet to recover. Were we to stop using fossil fuels tomorrow, it would still take decades for the planet to recover. (If we stopped/ If we were to stop) (If we stopped/ If we were to stop) 3 rd Conditional: 3 rd Conditional: Had he worked harder, he would have passed the exam. Had he worked harder, he would have passed the exam. (if he had worked harder) (if he had worked harder) When the verb to be inverted is negative, we put not after the subject. e.g. Had he attended all classes, he wouldn’t have been able to take his degree. e.g. Had he not attended all classes, he wouldn’t have been able to take his degree.

Conditional sentences without if Suppose/ supposing that means what if and is followed by a question in the main clause. e.g. Suppose he arrives early, what will you do? Supposing he suddenly turned up as we speak, what would you say to him? Otherwise means if not and comes instead of a conditional clause. e.g. We really must hurry. Otherwise, we will miss the bus. (If we don’t hurry) As long as/ so long as/ on condition (that)/ providing (that)/ provided (that) express an idea of limitation e.g. You can have a dog provided that you look after it properly. In case refers to conditions that may or may not happen. It also refers to things that we do in order to be ready for a future situation. e.g. Take an umbrella in case it rains. She took warm clothes with her in case it turned cold during her stay in London.

Other conditional structures If it wasn’t/ weren’t for + noun If it wasn’t/ weren’t for + noun e.g. If it wasn’t for my younger brother, I’d have a quite boring childhood. Were it not for + noun Were it not for + noun e.g. Were it not for my younger brother, I’d have a quite boring childhood. But for + noun But for + noun e.g. But for your help, I wouldn’t have been able to finish in time. If it hadn’t been for + noun If it hadn’t been for + noun e.g. If it hadn’t been for your help, I wouldn’t have been able to finish in time. Had it not been for + noun Had it not been for + noun e.g. Had it not been for your help, I wouldn’t have been able to finish in time. If … happen to… If … happen to… e.g. If you happen to see Tom, tell him his friends are looking for him. If… happened to… If… happened to… e.g. If you happened to see someone attacking another person, what would you do? If so… If so… e.g. Are you interested in a career in economics? If so, send us your CV by the end of the current month. In case of + noun In case of + noun e.g. In case of fire, leave the building by the nearest emergency exit. Unless (always followed by an affirmative verb) Unless (always followed by an affirmative verb) e.g. I won’t call you again unless you apologize.