there are four basic types of conditional sentences in the english language
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There are four basic types of conditional sentences in the English language.
Examples:The zero conditional: I take my umbrella if it rains.The first conditional: I'll call you if I work late.The second conditional: If the bus didn't arrive on time, I would drive you to the airport.The third conditional: She wouldn't have come if I hadn't invited her.
Zero conditional
The zero conditional describes situations that are always true. If has the same meaning as when orwhenever.If I go to school, I get up at seven. (Whenever I go to school I get up at the same time.)If you park your car on double yellow lines, you pay a fine. (Whenever you park illegally, you pay a fine.)We use the present simple tense in both the main clauses and the if clauses.
First and second conditional
The first conditional sentences are used to speculate about possible situations that can really happen at present or in future. We do not use will in the if clause to describe future activities (compare it to time clauses).If he studies hard, he'll pass the exams.If we catch the 10.15 train, we will arrive on time.If you don't get the ticket, what will you do?We make if clauses with if + present tense and main clauses with will + bare infinitive.
In the second conditional sentences we speculate about situations that will probably never happen at present or in future.If I had more time, I would help you. (But I am not free at the moment. I can't help you).If I won a million dollars, I would start a business of my own. (But I know that it is not realistic.)We make if clauses with if + past tense and main clauses with would + bare infinitive.
Note: the verb to be can be specific in the if clause.If I were rich, I wouldn't work. If he were younger, he would marry her.
(But was is also possible: If I was rich, I wouldn't work. If he was younger, he would marry her.)But: If I were you, I wouldn't do it. (In this expression, were is much more usual than was.)
The main difference between the first conditional and the second conditional is about probability: the first conditional is realistic, the second conditional is unrealistic.Sometimes we can use both with the following difference in meaning.If I see him, I will tell him. (I suppose I will see him, because we go to the same school.)If I saw him, I would tell him. (I don't think I will see him, because he is ill.)If I need your help, I'll call you. (It is probable that I will need your help.)If I needed your help, I'd call you. (It is not very probable that I will need your help.)
Sometimes we must use either the first conditional or the second conditional to make it clear that the situation is real or unreal.If you get up late, you will miss your bus. (A real situation.)If I came from your country, I would understand your problems. (An unreal situation - I am not from your country.)
Third conditional
The third conditional sentences always refer to the past. We speculate about situations that happened or did not happen in the past.If I had won a million, I would have started a business of my own. (But I didn't win anything.)If he had met her, he would have told her. (Unfortunately, he didn't meet her.)If we hadn't practised, we wouldn't have won the match. (But we practised and won.)We make if clauses with if + past perfect and main clauses with would + perfect infinitive (have + past participle).
Conditional sentences – test 1, exercise 1
Choose the correct form.
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Tell her if you her.Right: see
I would have gone by air if I more money.
Right: had had
If I were younger you marry me?
Right: would
I could have a drink provided I drive.
Right: did not
If I had lost my job what now?
Right: would I do
I would have eaten the meat if it tough.
Right: had not been
If she her hairstyle she would be pretty.
Right: changed
Unless she a coat she'll catch a cold.
Right: puts on
If he had asked you what would you .
Right: have said
Even if I sleep well I have a headache.
Right: always
What will you do in case Bob ?
Right: refuses
If we see the island.
Right: did not hire a boat we could not
Mixed conditionals - test 1, exercise 2
Complete the sentences with the verbs in brackets.
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we (have) enough time if we wanted to see the castle?Right: Would; have
In case you (buy) a car, will you teach me to drive?
Right: buy
If I (not be) in a hurry, I wouldn't have made so many mistakes.
Right: had not been
She won't finish it on time if she (not start) right now.
Right: does not start
She (get angry) if you had told her.
Right: would have got
On condition that they (support) our product, they would get a discount.
Right: supported
Even if I (ask) him, he won't come.
Right: ask
Had I driven slowly, I (not crash)
Right: would not have crashed
It will be a disaster unless they (help) us.
Right: help
If you (have) something to eat, you wouldn't have felt sick.
Right: had had
I wouldn't risk it if I (be) you.
Right: were
She would get fat if she (not stop) eating.
Right: did not stop
The chicken wasn't good. It (taste) better if you had put some spices on it.
Right: would have tasted
Conditional sentences – test 1, exercise 3Answer the questions. Use the verbs in brackets.
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What would you do if you had more free time? (travel)
If I more free time, I a lot.Right: had; would travel
Where would you spend your holiday provided that a sponsor paid for it? (in Provence)
Provided that a sponsor for my holiday, I .
Right: paid; would spend it in Provence
If you had not started this grammar course, what would you have done to improve your English? (go to Britain)
If I this course, I to improve my English.
Right: had not started; would have gone to Britain
Where will you go at the weekend, if you aren't too busy? (go to see my friend)
If I too busy next weekend, I .
Right: am not; will go to see my friend
If you found a stranger in your bedroom, how would you react? (scream)
If I a stranger in my bedroom, I .
Right: found; would scream
If you finish this test in fifteen minutes, what will you do? (have a drink)
If I it soon, I .
Right: finish; will have a drink
If you had not decided to study English, what language would you have chosen instead? (French)
If I to study English, I instead.
Right: had not decided; would have chosen French
If clauses: second and third conditional - test 1, exercise 4
Use if - clauses to respond to the situations.
Example:My car is out of order. I can't drive you there.But if my car wasn't out of order, I would drive you there.
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I don't know his address. I can't contact him.
But if I his address, I him.Right: knew; could contact
He was ill. He couldn't go skiing.
But if he ill, he skiing.
Right: had not been; could have gone
He didn't buy any tomatoes. I couldn't make a salad.
But if he some tomatoes, I a salad.
Right: had bought; could have made
We haven't enough room in our house. You can't stay with us.
But if we enough room, you with us.
Right: had; could stay
You were not lucky. You didn't win.
But if you lucky, you .
Right: had been; would have won
I am eighteen. I can vote.
But if eighteen, I .
Right: was not; could not vote
If clauses: first conditional - test 1, exercise 5
Make if - clauses with similar meaning.
Example:I'll give you my telephone number. I might be late.In case I'm late, I'll give you my telephone number.
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Go to Corfu. You will like it.
If you .Right: go to Corfu, you will like it
Don't hurry. You will not make mistakes.
Unless you .
Right: hurry, you will not make mistakes
Will you see her? Say hello to her.
If you .
Right: see her, say hello to her
Be careful. You will not fall down.
Provided that you .
Right: are careful, you will not fall down
You mustn't panic. You will manage it.
If you .
Right: do not panic, you will manage it
She can't give it up. She will succeed.
In case she .
Right: does not give it up, she will succeed
Conditional sentences – test 2, exercise 1Choose the correct form.
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You wouldn't like it Right: if I told you the truth.
What would you have done
Right: if he had not paid?
Unless you are quiet,
Right: I will not tell you the joke.
The room could have looked better
Right: in case you had cleaned the windows.
If the weather was better,
Right: we would ride on bikes.
Provided you are late,
Right: what will you do?
I could have repaired it myself
Right: if I had had the time.
If you didn't go to work tomorrow,
Right: would you go to shops?
I wouldn't have refused
Right: if they had contacted me.
Conditional sentences – test 2, exercise 2Correct mistakes or copy the correct form if there is no mistake.
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He would not have been arrested if he informed the police after the robbery.
He if he the police after the robbery.Right: would not have been arrested; had informed
If I had been sent to hospital now, how long would I stay there?
If I to hospital now, how long there?
Right: was sent; would I stay
What will happen if I will push this button?
What if I this button?
Right: will happen; push
If you had not overslept, you would not missed the train yesterday.
If you , you the train yesterday.
Right: had not overslept; would not have missed
Unless she is not carefull, she will fall off the bike.
Unless she carefull, she the bike.
Right: is; will fall off
What a pity! Had I arrived on time, I would not miss it.
What a pity! on time, I it.
Right: Had I arrived; would not have missed
I would give you the information if I had had it. Shall I fetch it?
I you the information if I it. Shall I fetch it?
Right: would give; had
I can't tell you now if she comes. Will you wait for her?
I can't tell you now if she . for her?
Right: will come; Will you wait
Even if I will lend you some money, it will not be enough.
Even if I you some money, it enough.
Right: lend; will not be
I could have offered you my help in case I knew all about it. But I didn't.
I you my help in case I all about it. But I didn't.
Right: could have offered; had known
If you did not shout at her so many times, she would not leave you now.
If you at her so many times, she you now.
Right: had not shouted; would not leave
If clauses: first conditional - test 2, exercise 3
Complete the sentences with if, when or unless.
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What time will you come? - I'll come I finish my project.Right: when
I will not be able to do it you help me.
Right: unless
it gets dark we are going to observe the stars.
Right: If / When
I'd like to sit down here you don't mind.
Right: if
you turn off the stereo I'll go mad.
Right: Unless
the weather is nice at the weekend we'll go to the seaside.
Right: If
I'll tell you I come back from work.
Right: when
How much will it cost we pay in advance?
Right: if
He can't go to the States he asks for a visa.
Right: unless
Conditional sentences – test 2, exercise 4Make questions.
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if you were rich?I wouldn't be happy.Right: Would you be happy
What if you hadn't found her telephone number?I would have called her mother.
Right: would you have done
Where if you hadn't spent your holiday in Spain last year?We would have gone to Italy.
Right: would you have gone
How them the prices in case we don't meet at the trade-fair?I'll send them the prices by fax.
Right: will you send
What if you were me?I wouldn't answer his letter if I were you.
Right: would you do
Who if the party had been at your place?I would have invited my close friends.
Right: would you have invited
If clauses: third conditional - test 3, exercise 1
Read the Jill's letter and complete her mother's reply.
Example:Dear Mum,Last week I went to the disco where I met a wonderful boy. He asked me for the dance. He held me tight. After the dance he walked me home and he kissed me. I fell in love with him and I invited him to my birthday party. He didn't come. I felt miserable. I had a large glass of whisky and decided to go to his place.I drove my car, but a traffic warden stopped me. I failed a breathalyser test and lost my driving licence.LoveJill
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Dear Jill,If you had not gone to the disco, you would not have met the wonderful boy.
And if he you for the dance, he you tight.Right: had not asked; would not have held
If he you home, he you, believe me.
Right: had not walked; would not have kissed
You him to your party if you in love with him.
Right: would not have invited; had not fallen
But he should have come. If he , you miserable.
Right: had come; would not have felt
If you the glass of whisky, you to go to his place.
Right: had not had; would not have decided
If you your car, the traffic warden you.
Right: had not driven; would not have stopped
And you your driving licence if you the breathalyser test.With loveYour Mum
Right: would not have lost; had not failed
Conditional sentences – test 3, exercise 2Complete the sentences and use the words in brackets.
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I won't go to the dance if you me. (not join).Right: do not join
If the hotel in Paris had been full, where we ? (stay)
Right: would; have stayed
If I got the job, I grateful to you. (be)
Right: would be
Had he let me know, I him at the airport. (collect)
Right: would have collected
Unless she the test she will get her driving licence next week. (fail)
Right: fails
How would you explain the meaning of this word if you it? (not know)
Right: did not know
We wouldn't have been angry if you the dinner. (refuse)
Right: had refused
If I you, I'd take it. (be)
Right: were
If Ken the car, who will do it? (not mend)
Right: does not mend
If clauses: first conditional sentences - test 3, exercise 3
Complete the sentences with if, when or unless.
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I'll call her I finish dinner.Right: when
Will you mind we come together?
Right: if
Don't criticize him you have a good reason.
Right: unless
It'll be too late the school starts.
Right: when
I wouldn't go there they didn't invite me.
Right: if
She'll be pleased you go with her.
Right: if
We won't buy it we try it.
Right: unless
I'll get up the sun rises.
Right: when