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    Conditional Sentences Theory

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    mariecba
    A thorough explanation of the use of Conditional Sentences -all types- with clear examples to understand the different cases and further improve your knowledge.

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    Conditional Sentences Theory

    Uploaded by

    mariecba
    188 views2 pages
    A thorough explanation of the use of Conditional Sentences -all types- with clear examples to understand the different cases and further improve your knowledge.

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    © © All Rights Reserved

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    DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

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    A thorough explanation of the use of Conditional Sentences -all types- with clear examples to understand the different cases and further improve your knowledge.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    188 views2 pages

    Conditional Sentences Theory

    Uploaded by

    mariecba
    A thorough explanation of the use of Conditional Sentences -all types- with clear examples to understand the different cases and further improve your knowledge.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    of 2

    CONDITIONAL SENTENCES

    Explanations

    Real/likely situations: first conditional (TYPE 1)

    With if
    A first conditional describes a real or likely/possible situation. A present tense is used after if,
    but the time referred to is the future. Will/Won't are common in the result clause.

    If you fall, I won't be able to catch you! This means that there is a real possibility this will happen.

    Going to can be used instead of will.

    If it rains, we're going to get wet.

    The modal verb can is also common in first conditional sentences.

    If the cases are too heavy, I can help you carry them.

    Unless, provided, as long as

    Unless means If... not.


    Unless you leave at once, I'll call the police. = If you don't leave at once, I'll call the police.

    Provided and as long as can also introduce a condition.


    Provided (that) you leave now, you'll catch the train.

    With the imperative

    It is common to use the imperative instead of if.


    Get me some cigarettes, and I'll pay you later.

    With should
    We can use should instead of if in a conditional sentence. It means if by any chance ... and makes
    the action less likely. (its more formal)

    Should you see John, can you give him a message? (If by any chance you see John, can you?)

    Unreal/imaginary situations: second conditional (TYPE 2)

    With if
    A second conditional describes an unreal or imaginary situation. A past simple tense is used after
    if, but the time referred to is the future or present. Would is common in the result clause.

    If you fell, you would hurt yourself. This means that there is a small possibility that
    this will happen. The situation and its result are imagined.

    The modal verbs might and could are common in second conditional sentences.
    If you became a millionaire, you might be unhappy.

    Were
    Were is often used instead of was in formal language.

    If I were taller, I'd join the basketball team.


    Unreal/imaginary past situations: third conditional (TYPE 3)

    With if
    A third conditional describes an unreal or imaginary situation in the past. A past perfect tense is used
    after if. Would + have + past participle is used in the result clause.

    If John had studied more, he would have got better marks.


    This means that John didn't study more. A past situation, different to the one that really
    happened, is imagined.

    The modal verbs might and could are common in this kind of sentence.

    If you had tried harder, you might have succeeded.

    Mixed conditions

    For past events which have a result continuing in the present, it is possible to use the form of a third
    conditional in the if-clause, and the form of a second conditional in the result clause.

    If you had saved some money, you wouldn't be so broken now.

    Other if sentences

    If can mean when in the sense of whenever.

    If/When/Whenever it rains, we play football indoors instead.

    In this type of sentence we use the present simple in both the if-clause and the result clause.

    If can also mean if it is true that.

    If (it is true that) you have a job like that, you are very lucky.
    If (it is true that) nothing happened, you were lucky.

    If+ past simple can be used for past events with a real possibility, or that we know are true. This
    type of sentence does not have any special grammar rules.

    If you missed the TV programme last night, you can borrow my recording.
    If the police arrested him, they must suspect him.

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