Conditional Sentence Type Usage If Clause Verb Tense Main Clause Verb Tense
Conditional Sentence Type Usage If Clause Verb Tense Main Clause Verb Tense
Conditional Sentence Type Usage If Clause Verb Tense Main Clause Verb Tense
Type 1 A possible condition and its probable Simple present Simple future
result
Type 3 An unreal past condition and its Past perfect Perfect conditional
probable result in the past
Mixed type An unreal past condition and its Past perfect Present conditional
probable result in the present
The zero conditional is used for when the time being referred to is now or always and the
situation is real and possible. The zero conditional is often used to refer to general truths. The
tense in both parts of the sentence is the simple present. In zero conditional sentences, the word "if"
can usually be replaced by the word "when" without changing the meaning.
If clause Main clause
Type 1 conditional
The type 1 conditional is used to refer to the present or future where the situation is real. The type
1 conditional refers to a possible condition and its probable result. In these sentences the if clause is
in the simple present, and the main clause is in the simple future.
If clause Main clause
The type 2 conditional is used to refer to a time that is now or any time, and a situation that
is unreal. These sentences are not based on fact. The type 2 conditional is used to refer to a
hypothetical condition and its probable result. In type 2 conditional sentences, the if clause uses the
simple past, and the main clause uses the present conditional.
If clause Main clause
If this thing happened that thing would happen. (but I'm not sure this thing will happen) OR
that thing would be happening.
Type 3 conditional
The type 3 conditional is used to refer to a time that is in the past, and a situation that is contrary
to reality. The facts they are based on are the opposite of what is expressed. The type 3 conditional
is used to refer to an unreal past condition and its probable past result. In type 3 conditional
sentences, the if clause uses the past perfect, and the main clause uses the perfect conditional.
If clause Main clause
If this thing had happened that thing would have happened. (but neither of those things really
happened) OR
that thing would have been happening.
If you had studied harder you would have passed the exam.
If this thing had happened that thing would happen. (but this thing didn't happen so that thing
isn't happening)
If you weren't afraid of spiders you would have picked it up and put it outside.
Mixed conditional
It is possible for the two parts of a conditional sentence to refer to different times, and the
resulting sentence is a "mixed conditional" sentence. There are two types of mixed
conditional sentence.
Present result of a past condition
In this type of mixed conditional sentence, the tense in the 'if' clause is the past perfect, and
the tense in the main clause is the present conditional.
If clause (condition) Main clause (result)