Conditional Sentences

● There are four types of conditional sentences.

● It’s important to use the correct structure for each of these different
conditional sentences because they express varying meanings.

● Pay attention to verb tense when using different conditional modes.

● Use a comma after the if-clause when the if-clause precedes the main
clause.

Conditional sentences are statements discussing known factors or

hypothetical situations and their consequences. Complete conditional
sentences contain a conditional c​ lause​ (often referred to as the if-clause)
and the consequence. Consider the following sentences:

If a certain condition is true, then a particular result happens.

I would travel around the world if I won the lottery.
When water reaches 100 degrees, it boils.

What Are the Different Types of Conditional Sentences? There are four
different types of conditional sentences in English. Each expresses a
different degree of probability that a situation will occur or would have
occurred under certain circumstances.

● Zero Conditional Sentences

● First Conditional Sentences

● Second Conditional Sentences

● Third Conditional Sentences

Let’s look at each of these different types of conditional sentences in more

detail.
How to Use Zero Conditional Sentences
Zero conditional sentences express general truths—situations in which one
thing ​always​ causes another. When you use a zero conditional, you’re
talking about a general truth rather than a specific instance of something.
Consider the following examples:

If you don’t brush your teeth, you get cavities.

When people smoke cigarettes, their health suffers.

There are a couple of things to take note of in the above sentences in

which the zero conditional is used. First, when using the zero conditional,
the correct tense to use in both clauses is the simple present tense A
common mistake is to use the simple future tense.

When people smoke cigarettes, their health will suffer .

Secondly, notice that the words ​if​ and ​when​ can be used interchangeably in
these zero conditional sentences. This is because the outcome will always
be the same, so it doesn’t matter “if” or “when” it happens.

How to Use First Conditional Sentences

First conditional sentences are used to express situations in which the
outcome is likely (but not guaranteed) to happen in the future. Look at the
examples below:

If you rest, you will feel better.

If you set your mind to a goal, you’ll eventually achieve it.

Note that we use the simple present tense in the if-clause and simple future
tense in the main clause—that is, the clause that expresses the likely
outcome. This is how we indicate that under a certain condition (as
expressed in the if-clause), a specific result ​will​ likely happen in the future.
Examine some of the common mistakes people make using the first
conditional structure:

If you will rest , you will feel better.

If you rest , you will feel better.

Explanation:​ Use the ​simple present tense​ in the if-clause.

If you set your mind to a goal, you eventually achieve it.

If you set your mind to a goal, you’ll eventually achieve it.

Explanation:​ Use the zero conditional (i.e., simple present + simple

present) only when a certain result is guaranteed. If the result is likely, use
the first conditional (i.e., simple present + simple future).

How to Use Second Conditional Sentences

Second conditional sentences are useful for expressing outcomes that are
completely unrealistic or will ​not​ likely happen in the future. Consider the
examples below:

If I inherited a billion dollars, I would travel to the moon.

If I owned a zoo, I might let people interact with the animals more.

Notice the correct way to structure second conditional sentences is to use

the simple past tense in the if-clause and an auxiliary modal verb (e.g.,
could, should, would, might) in the main clause (the one that expresses the
unrealistic or unlikely outcome). The following sentences illustrate a couple
of the common mistakes people make when using the second conditional:

If I inherit a billion dollars, I would travel to the moon.

If I inherited a billion dollars, I would travel to the moon.

Explanation:​ When applying the second conditional, use the simple past
tense in the if-clause.

If I owned a zoo, I will let people interact with the animals more.
If I owned a zoo, I might let people interact with the animals more.

Explanation:​ Use a modal auxiliary verb in the main clause when using the
second conditional mood to express the unlikelihood that the result will
actually happen.
How to Use Third Conditional Sentences
Third conditional sentences are used to explain that present circumstances
would be different if something different had happened in the past. Look at
the following examples:

If you had told me you needed a ride, I would have left earlier.
If I had cleaned the house, I could have gone to the movies.

These sentences express a condition that was likely enough, but did not
actually happen in the past. The speaker in the first sentence was capable
of leaving early, but did not. Along these same lines, the speaker in the
second sentence was capable of cleaning the house, but did not. These
are all conditions that were likely, but regrettably did not happen.

Note that when using the third conditional, we use the ​past perfect​ (i.e., had
+ past participle) in the if-clause. The modal auxiliary (would, could, shoud,
etc.) + have + past participle in the main clause expresses the theoretical
situation that ​could​ have happened.

Consider these common mistakes when applying the third conditional:

If you would have told me you needed a ride, I would have left earlier.
If you had told me you needed a ride, I would have left earlier.

Explanation:​ With third conditional sentences, do not use a modal auxiliary

verb in the if-clause.

If I had cleaned the house, I could go to the movies.

If I had cleaned the house, I could have gone to the movies.

Explanation:​ The third conditional mood expresses a situation that could

have only happened in the past if a certain condition had been met. That’s
why we use the modal auxiliary verb + have + the past participle.

Exceptions and Special Cases When Using

Conditional Sentences
As with most topics in the English language, conditional sentences often
present special cases in which unique rules must be applied.

Use of the Simple Future in the If-Clause

Generally speaking, the simple future should be used only in the main
clause. One exception is when the action in the if-clause will take
place ​after​ the action in the main clause. For example, consider the
following sentence:

If aspirin will ease my headache, I will take a couple tonight.

The action in the if-clause is the aspirin easing the headache, which will
take place only after the speaker takes them later that night.

“Were to” in the If-Clause

The verb phrase ​were to​ is sometimes used in conditional sentences when
the likely or unlikely result is particularly awful or unthinkable. In this
case, ​were to​ is used to place emphasis on this potential outcome.
Consider these sentences:

If I were to be sick, I would miss another day of work.

If she were to be late again, she would have to have a conference with the manager.
If the rent were to have been a penny more, they would not have been able to pay it.

Note that the emphatic “were to” can be used to describe hypothetical
scenarios in the present, future, and past.

Punctuating Conditional Sentences

Despite the complex nature of conditional sentences, punctuating them
properly is really simple!

Here’s the skinny:

Use a comma after the if-clause when the if-clause precedes the main
clause.
If I’d had time, I would have cleaned the house.

If the main clause precedes the if-clause, no punctuation is necessary.

I would have cleaned the house if I’d had time.

Conditional Sentences / If-Clauses Type I, II und III

Conditional Sentences are also known as Conditional Clauses or If Clauses. They
are used to express that the action in the main clause (without ​if)​ can only take
place if a certain condition (in the clause with ​if​) is fulfilled. There are three types of
Conditional Sentences.

Conditional Sentence Type 1

→ It is possible and also ​very likely​ that the condition will be fulfilled.
Form:​ ​if​ + ​Simple Present​, ​will-Future
Example: If I find her address, I’ll send her an invitation.

The main clause can also be at the beginning of the sentence. In this case, don't use
a comma.
Example: I will send her an invitation if I find her address.

Note:​ Main clause and / or if clause might be negative. See ​Simple

Present​ und ​will-Future​ on how to form negative sentences.
Example: If I don’t see him this afternoon, I will phone him in the evening.

Use
Conditional Sentences Type I refer to the future. An action in the future will only
happen if a certain condition is fulfilled by that time. We don't know for sure whether
the condition actually will be fulfilled or not, but the conditions seems rather
realistic – so we think it is likely to happen.
Example: If I find her address, I’ll send her an invitation.

I want to send an invitation to a friend. I just have to find her address. I am quite
sure, however, that I will find it.
Example: If John has the money, he will buy a Ferrari.

I know John very well and I know that he earns a lot of money and that he loves
Ferraris. So I think it is very likely that sooner or later he will have the money to buy
a Ferrari.
 Exercises on Conditional Sentences Type 1

Complete the Conditional Sentences (Type I) by putting the verbs into the correct
form.

1. If you ​(send)​ this letter now, she ​(receive)​ it tomorrow.

2. If I ​(do)​ this test, I ​(improve)​ my English.

3. If I ​(find)​ your ring, I ​(give)​ it back to you.

4. Peggy ​(go)​ shopping if she ​(have)​ time in the afternoon.

5. Simon ​(go)​ to London next week if he ​(get)​ a cheap flight.

6. If her boyfriend ​(phone / not)​ today, she ​(leave)​ him.

7. If they ​(study / not)​ harder, they ​(pass / not)​ the exam.

8. If it ​(rain)​ tomorrow, I ​(have to / not)​ water the plants.

9. You ​(be able/ not)​ to sleep if you ​(watch)​ this scary film.

10. Susan ​(can / move / not)​ into the new house if it ​(be / not) ready
on time.

Conditional Sentence Type 2

→ It is possible but ​very unlikely​, that the condition will be fulfilled.
Form:​ ​if​ + ​Simple Past​, ​Conditional I​ (= would + Infinitive)
Example: If I found her address, I would send her an invitation.

The main clause can also be at the beginning of the sentence. In this case, don't use
a comma.
Example: I would send her an invitation if I found her address.

Note:​ Main clause and / or if clause might be negative. See ​Simple

Past​ und ​Conditional I​ on how to form negative sentences.
Example: If I had a lot of money, I wouldn’t stay here.

Were​ instead of ​Was

 In IF Clauses Type II, we usually use ‚were‘ – even if the pronoun is ​I,​ ​he,​ ​she​ or ​it​ –.
Example: If I ​were​ you, I would not do this.

Use
Conditional Sentences Type II refer to situations in the present. An action could
happen if the present situation were different. I don't really expect the situation to
change, however. I just imagine ​„what would happen if …“
Example: If I found her address, I would send her an invitation.

I would like to send an invitation to a friend. I have looked everywhere for her
address, but I cannot find it. So now I think it is rather unlikely that I will eventually
find her address.
Example: If John had the money, he would buy a Ferrari.

I know John very well and I know that he doesn't have much money, but he loves
Ferraris. He would like to own a Ferrari (in his dreams). But I think it is very unlikely
that he will have the money to buy one in the near future.

Exercise on Conditional Sentences Type 2

Complete the Conditional Sentences (Type II) by putting the verbs into the correct
form. Use ​conditional I with would​ in the main clause.

1. If we ​(have)​ a yacht, we ​(sail)​ the seven seas.

2. If he ​(have)​ more time, he ​(learn)​ karate.

3. If they ​(tell)​ their father, he ​(be)​ very angry.

4. She ​(spend)​ a year in the USA if it ​(be)​ easier to get a green

card.

5. If I ​(live)​ on a lonely island, I ​(run)​ around naked all day.

6. We ​(help)​ you if we ​(know)​ how.

7. My brother ​(buy)​ a sports car if he ​(have)​ the money.

8. If I ​(feel)​ better, I ​(go)​ to the cinema with you.

9. If you ​(go)​ by bike more often, you ​(be / not)​ so flabby.

10. She ​(not / talk)​ to you if she ​(be)​ mad at you.

 Conditional Sentence Type 3
→ It is ​impossible​ that the condition will be fulfilled because it refers to the
past.
Form:​ ​if​ + ​Past Perfect​, ​Conditional II​ (= would + have + Past Participle)
Example: If I had found her address, I would have sent her an invitation.

The main clause can also be at the beginning of the sentence. In this case, don't use
a comma.
Example: I would have sent her an invitation if I had found her address.

Note:​ Main clause and / or if clause might be negative. See ​Past

Perfect​ and ​Conditional II​ on how to form negative sentences.
Example: If I hadn’t studied, I wouldn’t have passed my exams.

Use
Conditional Sentences Type III refer to situations in the past. An action could have
happened in the past if a certain condition had been fulfilled. Things were different
then, however. We just imagine, what would have happened if the situation had
been fulfilled.
Example: If I had found her address, I would have sent her an invitation.

Sometime in the past, I wanted to send an invitation to a friend. I didn't find her
address, however. So in the end I didn't send her an invitation.
Example: If John had had the money, he would have bought a Ferrari.

I knew John very well and I know that he never had much money, but he loved
Ferraris. He would have loved to own a Ferrari, but he never had the money to buy
one.

Exercise on Conditional Sentences Type 3

Complete the Conditional Sentences (Type III) by putting the verbs into the correct
form. Use ​conditional II with would​ in the main clause.

1. If you ​(study)​ for the test, you ​(pass)​ it.

2. If you ​(ask)​ me, I ​(help)​ you.

3. If we ​(go)​ to the cinema, we ​(see)​ my friend Jacob.

4. If you ​(speak)​ English, she ​(understand)​ .

5. If they ​(listen)​ to me, we ​(be)​ home earlier.

6. I ​(write)​ you a postcard if I ​(have)​ your address.

7. If I ​(not / break)​ my leg, I ​(take part)​ in the contest.

8. If it ​(not/ start)​ to rain, we ​(walk)​ to the museum.

9. We ​(swim)​ in the sea if there ​(not / be)​ so many sharks there.

10. If she ​(take)​ the bus, she ​(not / arrive)​ on time.

Exceptions
Sometimes Conditional Sentences Type I, II and III can also be used with other
tenses.

So far you have only learned the basic rules for Conditional Sentences. It depends
on the context, however, which tense to use. So sometimes it's possible for example
that in an IF Clause Type I another tense than ​Simple Present​ is used, e.g. ​Present
Progressive​ or ​Present Perfect​.

Conditional Sentences Type I (likely)

Condition
IF Clause Main Clause
refers to:

Future I …I will buy it.

If the book is Imperative …buy it.

future action Simple Present
interesting, …
Modal
…you can buy it.
Auxiliary

Future I …I will wake him up.

action going on Present Imperative …wake him up.

If he is snoring, …
now Progressive
Modal …you can wake him
Auxiliary up.

If he has moved into his Future I …we will visit him.

finished action Present Perfect
new flat, … Imperative …visit him.
 Modal
…we can visit him.
Auxiliary

…I will congratulate
Future I
her.
improbable should + If she should win this
Imperative …congratulate her.
action Infinitive race, …
Modal …we can
Auxiliary congratulate her.

If he gets what he Simple

present facts Simple Present …he is very nice.
wants, … Present

Conditional Sentences Type II (unlikely)

Condition refers to: IF Clause Main Clause

Simple If I had a lot of …I would travel around

present / future event Conditional I
Past money, … the world.

consequence in the Simple Conditional

If I knew him, … …I would have said hello.
past Past II

Conditional Sentences Type III (impossible)

Condition refers
IF Clause Main Clause
to:

Past …I would not be here

present If I had known it, … Conditional I
Perfect now.

Past If he had learned for the Conditional …he would not have
past
Perfect test, … II failed it.

Exercise on Exceptions (Conditional Sentences with

different Tenses)

Exercise on Conditional Sentences with Auxiliaries

Complete the conditional sentences (type I). Remember to use the auxiliary verbs.

1. If it doesn't rain, we ​(can / go)​ swimming tomorrow.

2. If you train hard, you ​(might / win)​ first prize.

3. If we go to Canada next year, we ​(can / improve)​ our English.

4. I ​(may / go)​ to the disco in the evening if I do the washing-up now.

5. If we go on holiday next week, I ​(not / can / play)​ tennis with you.

6. If you see Gareth tomorrow, you ​(should / tell)​ him that you love him.

7. If my parents go shopping in the afternoon, I ​(must / look)​ after my little

sister.

8. He ​(must / be)​ a good drummer if he plays in a band.

9. If you are listening to the radio after 10 pm, you ​(should / turn)​ the volume
down.

10. If you like that shirt, you ​(can / have)​ it.

Exercise on Exceptions (Conditional Sentences with

different Tenses)

Conditional Sentences Type I

To illustrate the use of different tenses, similar examples are used in the exercise.
Complete the Conditional Sentences Type I according to the information in brackets.

1. If it ​(rain /still - action going on now)​ , ​(stay - imperative)​ here for

another while.

2. If it ​(stop - completed action)​ raining, we ​(go - future)​ .

3. If it ​(start - fact)​ raining, we always ​(close - fact)​ the windows.

4. If it ​(rain / should - not very likely)​ , please ​(close - imperative)​

the windows.

5. If it ​(rain - future action)​ , the windows ​(must / close - passive voice)​

Exercise on Exceptions (Conditional Sentences with

different Tenses)

Conditional Sentences Type I

Complete the Conditional Sentences Type I according to the information in brackets.
1. If we ​(visit - fact)​ our grandparents, we always (​ go - fact)​ to the
restaurant in their street.

2. If my sister ​(speak - action going on now)​ on the phone, I ​(call - future)​

you later on.

3. You ​(go / can)​ outside if you ​(do - completed action)​ your

homework.

4. If we ​(get - future action)​ the loan, our house ​(build - future action / passive

voice)​ this autumn.

5. I always ​(ask - fact)​ my mother if I ​(know / not - fact)​ what to do.

Exercise on Exceptions (Conditional Sentences with

different Tenses)

Conditional Sentences Type II

Study the following situations. In every sentence, the 'if' clause expresses a general
situation in the present (Type II). Decide, however, whether the consequences refer
to the present (Conditional I) or past (Conditional II).

1. I am trying to reach Sue on the phone now, but I'm afraid she is not there because …

If she ​(be)​ at the office, she ​(answer)​ the phone.

2. A couple of minutes ago, I tried to reach Sue on the phone, but I'm afraid she is not
there because …

If she ​(be)​ at the office, she ​(answer)​ the phone.

3. I want to ring a friend now, but I don't know his phone number.

If I ​(know)​ his phone number, I ​(ring)​ him.

4. A week ago, I wanted to ring a friend, but I don't know his phone number.

If I ​(know)​ his phone number, I ​(ring)​ him.

5. A friend tells me what she is planning to do. I don't think what she is planning is a good
idea.

If I ​(be)​ you, I ​(do / not)​ this.

6. A friend tells me what she did. I don't think what she did was a good idea.

If I ​(be)​ you, I ​(do / not)​ this.

7. Somebody tells me that Sarah is on holiday in Italy at the moment. This cannot be true
because I'm seeing her in town tonight.

If Sarah ​(be)​ in Italy, I ​(see / not)​ her in town tonight.

8. Somebody tells me that Sarah is on holiday in Italy at the moment. This cannot be true
because I saw her in town last night.

If Sarah ​(be)​ in Italy, I ​(see / not)​ her in town last night.

9. My brother feels like he is getting the flu. I tell him …

You ​(get / not)​ the flu if you ​(eat)​ more fruit.

10. A few weeks ago, my brother had the flu. I tell him …

You ​(get / not)​ the flu if you ​(eat)​ more fruit.

Exercise on Exceptions (Conditional Sentences with

different Tenses)

Conditional Sentences Type III

Study the following situations. In every sentence, the 'if' clause expresses a situation
in the past (Type III). Decide, however, whether the consequences refer to the
present (Conditional I) or past (Conditional II).

1. It didn't rain yesterday. So I had to water the plants yesterday.

If it ​(rain)​ yesterday, I ​(water / not)​ the plants.

2. It didn't rain yesterday. So I am watering the plants now.

If it ​(rain)​ yesterday, I ​(water / not)​ the plants now.

3. I went to bed late last night. So I am still tired now.

If I ​(go)​ to bed earlier yesterday, I ​(feel / not)​ so tired now.

4. I went to bed late last Tuesday. So I was very tired the following day.

If I ​(go)​ to bed earlier that Tuesday, I ​(feel / not)​ that tired the
following day.
5. After a night out, I want to drive home now. I haven't drunk any alcohol.

If I ​(drink)​ alcohol, I ​(drive / not)​ .

6. After a night out last weekend, I drove home. I hadn't drunk any alcohol.

If I ​(drink)​ alcohol, I ​(drive / not)​ .

7. We won the match last week. So when we came home, we looked really happy.

We ​(look / not)​ that happy if we ​(win / not)​ the match.

8. We've just won a match. So we look really happy now.

We ​(look / not)​ that happy if we ​(win / not)​ the match.

9. My daughter is blamed for having done something. She tells me now that she didn't do
it. I believe her.

She ​(tell)​ me if she ​(do)​ it.

10. Last year, my daughter was blamed for having done something. She told me that she
hadn't done it. I believed her.

She ​(tell)​ me if she ​(do)​ it.