Conditional Tense

Asian Development Foundation College
Tacloban City
Lesson No.: 2
Method(s) of Assessment: Activity, Exercise, Quiz
Key Concept: Conditional tenses are used to speculate about what could happen, what might
have happened, and what we wish would happen.
Key Terms:
1. Zero Type Conditional
2. Type 1 conditional
5. Mixed type conditional
Eng. 9 | 1
Tacloban City
LESSON NO.: 2
CONDITIONAL
Conditional tenses are used to speculate about what could happen, what might have happened,
and what we wish would happen. In English, most sentences using the conditional contain the
word if. Many conditional forms in English are used in sentences that include verbs in one of the
past tenses. This usage is referred to as "the unreal past" because we use a past tense but we
are not actually referring to something that happened in the past. There are five main ways of
constructing conditional sentences in English. In all cases, these sentences are made up of an if
clause and a main clause. In many negative conditional sentences, there is an equivalent sentence
construction using "unless" instead of "if".
Conditional Usage If clause Main clause verb tense

sentence type verb tense
Zero General truths Simple Simple present

present
Type 1 A possible condition and its Simple Simple future

probable result present
Type 2 A hypothetical condition and its Simple past Present conditional or Present
probable result continuous conditional
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 contditional
probable result in the present
The zero conditional
Eng. 9 | 2
Tacloban City
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
If + simple present simple present
If this thing happens that thing happens.
If you heat ice it melts.
If it rains the grass gets wet.
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 + simple present simple future
If this thing happens that thing will happen.
Eng. 9 | 3
Tacloban City
If you don't hurry you will miss the train.
If it rains today you will get wet.
Type 1 conditional
In a type 1 conditional sentence, the tense in the "if" clause is the simple present, and the tense in
the main clause is the simple future.
If clause (condition) Main clause (result)
If + simple present simple future
If this thing happens that thing will happen.
As in all conditional sentences, the order of the clauses is not fixed. You may have to rearrange
the pronouns and adjust punctuation when you change the order of the clauses, but the meaning
is identical.
Examples
• If it rains, you will get wet.

• You will get wet if it rains.
• If Sally is late again I will be mad.
• I will be mad if Sally is late again.
• If you don't hurry, you will miss the bus.
• You will miss the bus if you don't hurry.
Function
The type 1 conditional refers to a possible condition and its probable result. These sentences are
based on facts, and they are used to make statements about the real world, and about particular
situations. We often use such sentences to give warnings. In type 1 conditional sentences, the
time is the present or future and the situation is real.
Eng. 9 | 4
Tacloban City
Examples
• If I have time, I'll finish that letter.
• What will you do if you miss the plane?
• Nobody will notice if you make a mistake.
• If you drop that glass, it will break.
• If you don't drop the gun, I'll shoot!
• If you don't leave, I'll call the police.
In type 1 conditional sentences, you can also use modals in the main clause instead of the future
tense to express the degree of certainty, permission, or a recommendation about the outcome.
Examples
• If you drop that glass, it might break.
• I may finish that letter if I have time.
• If he calls you, you should go.
• If you buy my school supplies for me, I will be able to go to the park.
Type 2 conditional
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 + simple past present conditional or present continuous conditional
If this thing happened that thing would happen. (but I'm not sure this thing will happen)
OR
that thing would be happening.
Eng. 9 | 5
Tacloban City
If you went to bed earlier you would not be so tired.
If it rained you would get wet.
If I spoke Italian I would be working in Italy.
Form
In a type 2 conditional sentence, the tense in the "if" clause is the simple past, and the tense in
the main clause is the present conditional or the present continuous conditional.
If + simple past present conditional or present continuous conditional
If this thing happened that thing would happen.
is identical.
Examples
• If it rained, you would get wet.
• You would get wet if it rained.
• If you went to bed earlier you wouldn't be so tired.
• You wouldn't be so tired if you went to bed earlier.
Eng. 9 | 6
Tacloban City
• If she fell, she would hurt herself.
• She would hurt herself if she fell.
Function
The type 2 conditional refers to an unlikely or hypothetical condition and its probable result.
These sentences are not based on the actual situation. In type 2 conditional sentences, the time is
now or any time and the situation is hypothetical.
Examples
• If the weather wasn't so bad, we would go to the park. (But the weather is bad so we
can't go.)
• If I was the Queen of England, I would give everyone a chicken. (But I am not the
Queen.)
• If you really loved me, you would buy me a diamond ring.
• If I knew where she lived, I would go and see her.
It is correct, and very common, to say "if I were" instead of "if I was" (subjunctive mood).
Examples
• If I were taller, I would buy this dress.
• If I were 20, I would travel the world.
• If I were you, I would give up smoking.
• If I were a plant, I would love the rain.
In type 2 conditional sentences, you can also use modals in the main clause instead of "would"
to express the degree of certainty, permission, or a recommendation about the outcome.
Examples
• We might buy a larger house if we had more money
• He could go to the concert if you gave him your ticket.
• If he called me, I couldn't hear.
The present conditional tense

The present conditional of any verb is composed of two elements:
would + the infinitive of the main verb, without "to"
Eng. 9 | 7
Tacloban City
Subject + would + infinitive
He would go
They would stay
To Go: present conditional
Affirmative Negative Interrogative Interrogative negative
I would go I wouldn't go Would I go? Wouldn't I go?
You would go You wouldn't go Would you go? Wouldn't you go?
He would go He wouldn't go Would he go? Wouldn't he go?
She would go She wouldn't go Would she go? Wouldn't she go?
We would go We wouldn't go Would we go? Wouldn't we go?
They would go They wouldn't go Would they go? Wouldn't they go?
Present continuous conditional
Form
In type 2 conditional sentences, the continuous form of the present conditional may be used.
Eng. 9 | 8
Tacloban City
If + simple past present continuous conditional
If this thing happened that thing would be happening.
Function
This form is common in type 2 conditional sentences. It expresses an unfinished or

continuing action or situation, which is the probable result of an unreal condition.
Examples
• I would be working in Italy if I spoke Italian. (But I don't speak Italian, so I am not
working in Italy)
• She wouldn't be living with Jack if she lived with her parents. (But she is living with
Jack and not with her parents).
• You wouldn't be smiling if you knew the truth. (But you are smiling because you don't
know the truth.)
The present continuous conditional tense
The present continuous conditional tense of any verb is composed of three elements:
would + be + present participle
The present participle is formed by taking the base form of the verb and adding the -ing ending.
Subject + would + be + present participle
He would be staying
They would be going
To Live: present continuous conditional
Eng. 9 | 9
Tacloban City
Affirmative Negative Interrogative Interrogative

negative
I would be living I wouldn't be living Would I be living? Wouldn't I be living?
You would be You wouldn't be Would you be Wouldn't you be

living living living? living?
He would be living He wouldn't be Would he be Wouldn't he be living?

living living?
She would be living She wouldn't be living Would she be Wouldn't she be
living? living?
We would be We wouldn't be Would we be Wouldn't we be

They would be They wouldn't be Would they be living? Wouldn't they be

living living living?
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.
Eng. 9 | 10
Tacloban City
If + past perfect perfect conditional or perfect continuous conditional
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 it had rained you would have gotten wet.
If I had accepted that I would have been working in Milan.

promotion
Form
In a type 3 conditional sentence, the tense in the "if" clause is the past perfect, and the tense in
the main clause is the perfect conditional or the perfect continuous conditional.
If + past perfect perfect conditional or perfect continuous conditional
If this thing had happened that thing would have happened.
Eng. 9 | 11
Tacloban City
is identical.
Examples
• If it had rained, you would have gotten wet.
• You would have gotten wet if it had rained.
• You would have passed your exam if you had worked harder.
• If you had worked harder, you would have passed your exam.
• I would have believed you if you hadn't lied to me before.
• If you hadn't lied to me before, I would have believed you.
Function
The type 3 conditional refers to an impossible condition in the past and its probable result in the
past. These sentences are truly hypothetical and unreal, because it is now too late for the
condition or its result to exist. There is always some implication of regret with type 3 conditional
sentences. The reality is the opposite of, or contrary to, what the sentence expresses. In type 3
conditional sentences, the time is the past and the situation is hypothetical.
Examples
• If I had worked harder I would have passed the exam. (But I didn't work hard, and I didn't
pass the exam.)
• If I had known you were coming I would have baked a cake. (But I didn't know and I
didn't bake a cake.)
• I would have been happy if you had called me on my birthday. (But you didn't call me
and I am not happy.)
In type 3 conditional sentences, you can also use modals in the main clause instead of "would"
to express the degree of certainty, permission, or a recommendation about the outcome.
Examples
• If I had worked harder I might have passed the exam.
• You could have been on time if you had caught the bus.
• If he called you, you could go.
• If you bought my school supplies for me, I might be able to go to the park.
Eng. 9 | 12
Tacloban City
Contractions
Both would and had can be contracted to 'd, which can be confusing if you are not confident
with type 3 conditional sentences. Remember 2 rules:
1. would never appears in the if-clause so if 'd appears in the if clause, it must be
abbreviating had.
2. had never appears before have so if 'd appears on a pronoun just before have, it
must be abbreviating would.
Examples
• If I'd known you were in hospital, I'd have visited you.
• If I had known you were in hospital, I would have visited you.
• I'd have bought you a present if I'd known it was your birthday.
• I would have bought you a present if I had known it was your birthday.
• If you'd given me your e-mail, I'd have written to you.
• If you had given me your e-mail, I would have written to you.
The perfect conditional tense
The perfect conditional of any verb is composed of three elements:

would + have + past participle
Have followed by the past participle is used in other constructions as well. it is called the
"perfect infinitive".
Subject + would + have + past participle
He would have gone
They would have stayed
To Go: perfect conditional
Eng. 9 | 13
Tacloban City

negative
I would have gone I wouldn't have Would I have gone? Wouldn't I have gone?
gone
You would have You wouldn't have Would you have gone? Wouldn't you have
gone gone gone?
He would have He wouldn't have Would he have Wouldn't he have gone?

gone gone gone?
She would have gone She wouldn't have Would she have gone? Wouldn't she have
gone gone?
We would have gone We wouldn't have Would we have gone? Wouldn't we have
gone gone?
They would have They wouldn't have Would they have Wouldn't they have
gone gone gone? gone?
Perfect Continuous Conditional
Form
In type 3 conditional sentences, the perfect form of the present conditional may be used.
Eng. 9 | 14
Tacloban City
If + past perfect perfect continuous conditional
If this thing had happened that thing would have been happening.
Function
The perfect continuous conditional can be used in type 3 conditional sentences. It refers to the
unfulfilled result of the action in the if-clause, and expresses this result as an unfinished or
continuous action.
Examples
• If the weather had been better (but it wasn't), I'd have been sitting in the garden when
he arrived (but I wasn't).
• If she hadn't got a job in London (but she did), she would have been working in Paris
(but she wasn't).
• If I had had a ball I would have been playing football.
• If I had known it was dangerous I wouldn't have been climbing that cliff.
The perfect continuous conditional tense
The perfect continuous conditional tense of any verb is composed of four elements:
would + have + been + present participle
The present participle is formed by taking the base form of the verb and adding the -ing ending.
Subject + would + have + been + present participle
He would have been staying
They would have been going
To work: perfect continuous conditional
Eng. 9 | 15
Tacloban City

negative
I would have been I wouldn't have been Would I have been Wouldn't I have been
You would have You wouldn't have Would you have Wouldn't you have been
been living been living been living? living?
He would have He wouldn't have Would he have been Wouldn't he have been
been living been living living? living?
She would have been She wouldn't have Would she have been Wouldn't she have been
living been living living? living?
We would have been We wouldn't have Would we have been Wouldn't we have been
living been living living? living?
They would have They wouldn't Would they have been Wouldn't they have
been living have been living living? been living?
Mixed type conditional
The mixed type conditional is used to refer to a time that is in the past, and a situation that is
ongoing into the present. The facts they are based on are the opposite of what is expressed.
The mixed type conditional is used to refer to an unreal past condition and its probable result in
the present. In mixed type conditional sentences, the if clause uses the past perfect, and the main
clause uses the present conditional.
Eng. 9 | 16
Tacloban City
If + past perfect or present conditional or perfect conditional

simple past
If this thing had happened that thing would happen. (but this thing didn't happen so that
thing isn't happening)
If I had worked harder at I would have a better job now.

school
If we had looked at the map we wouldn't be lost.
If you weren't afraid of you would have picked it up and put it outside.
spiders
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
Form
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.
Eng. 9 | 17
Tacloban City
If + past perfect present conditional
If this thing had happened that thing would happen.
is identical.
Examples
• If I had worked harder at school, I would have a better job now.

• I would have a better job now if I had worked harder at school.
• If we had looked at the map we wouldn't be lost.
• We wouldn't be lost if we had looked at the map.
• If you had caught that plane you would be dead now.
• You would be dead now if you had caught that plane.
Function
This type of mixed conditional refers to an unreal past condition and its probable result in the
present. These sentences express a situation which is contrary to reality both in the past and in
the present. In these mixed conditional sentences, the time is the past in the "if" clause and in
the present in the main clause.
Examples
• If I had studied I would have my driving license. (but I didn't study and now I don't have
my license)
• I would be a millionaire now if I had taken that job. (but I didn't take the job and I'm
not a millionaire)
• If you had spent all your money, you wouldn't buy this jacket. (but you didn't
spend all your money and now you can buy this jacket)
In these mixed conditional sentences, you can also use modals in the main clause instead of
would to express the degree of certainty, permission, or a recommendation about the outcome
Examples
• If you had crashed the car, you might be in trouble.
• I could be a millionaire now if I had invested in ABC Plumbing.
Eng. 9 | 18
Tacloban City
• If I had learned to ski, I might be on the slopes right now.
Past result of present or continuing condition
Form
In this second type of mixed conditional sentence, the tense in the 'if' clause is the simple past,
and the tense in the main clause is the perfect conditional.
If + simple past perfect conditional
If this thing happened that thing would have happened.
is identical.
Examples
• If I wasn't afraid of spiders, I would have picked it up.
• I would have picked it up if I wasn't afraid of spiders.
• If we didn't trust him we would have sacked him months ago.
• We would have sacked him months ago if we didn't trust him.
• If I wasn't in the middle of another meeting, I would have been happy to help you.
• I would have been happy to help you if I wasn't in the middle of another meeting.
Function
These mixed conditional sentences refer to an unreal present situation and its probable (but
unreal) past result. In these mixed conditional sentences, the time in the if clause is now or
always and the time in the main clause is before now. For example, "If I wasn't afraid of
spiders" is contrary to present reality. I am afraid of spiders. "I would have picked it up" is
contrary to past reality. I didn't pick it up.
Examples
• If she wasn't afraid of flying she wouldn't have travelled by boat.

• I'd have been able to translate the letter if my Italian was better.
• If I was a good cook, I'd have invited them to lunch.
• If the elephant wasn't in love with the mouse, she'd have trodden on him by now.
Eng. 9 | 19

Conditional Tense

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Conditional Tense

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Conditional Tense

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Asian Development Foundation College

Method(s) of Assessment: Activity, Exercise, Quiz

Conditional Usage If clause Main clause verb tense

Zero General truths Simple Simple present

Type 1 A possible condition and its Simple Simple future

The zero conditional

If clause Main clause

If + simple present simple present

If this thing happens that thing happens.

If you heat ice it melts.

If it rains the grass gets wet.

If clause Main clause

If + simple present simple future

If this thing happens that thing will happen.

If clause Main clause

If you don't hurry you will miss the train.

If it rains today you will get wet.

If clause (condition) Main clause (result)

If + simple present simple future

If this thing happens that thing will happen.

• If it rains, you will get wet.

• If I have time, I'll finish that letter.

• What will you do if you miss the plane?

• Nobody will notice if you make a mistake.

• If you drop that glass, it will break.

• If you don't drop the gun, I'll shoot!

• If you don't leave, I'll call the police.

• If you drop that glass, it might break.

• I may finish that letter if I have time.

• If he calls you, you should go.

If clause Main clause

If + simple past present conditional or present continuous conditional

If clause Main clause

If you went to bed earlier you would not be so tired.

If it rained you would get wet.

If I spoke Italian I would be working in Italy.

If clause (condition) Main clause (result)

If + simple past present conditional or present continuous conditional

If this thing happened that thing would happen.

• If it rained, you would get wet.

• You would get wet if it rained.

• If you went to bed earlier you wouldn't be so tired.

• You wouldn't be so tired if you went to bed earlier.

• If she fell, she would hurt herself.

• She would hurt herself if she fell.

• If you really loved me, you would buy me a diamond ring.

• If I knew where she lived, I would go and see her.

• If I were taller, I would buy this dress.

• If I were 20, I would travel the world.

• If I were you, I would give up smoking.

• If I were a plant, I would love the rain.

• We might buy a larger house if we had more money

• He could go to the concert if you gave him your ticket.

• If he called me, I couldn't hear.

The present conditional tense

Subject + would + infinitive

They would stay

To Go: present conditional

Affirmative Negative Interrogative Interrogative negative