CONDITIONALS (if-clauses)

What are conditionals (or "if"-sentences)? When do you need Type 1, Type 2 or Type 3? What is a "zero-conditional"? And when can you mix Type 2 and Type 3? Can you use "when" instead of "if"? What does the word "unless" mean, and why are there conditionals without "if"? Please choose from the following rules:

> What are "conditionals"?

> Type 1

> Type 2

> Type 3

> Type 0 ("zero-conditional")

> imperative (commands & requests)

> mixed conditionals (Type 2 + 3)

> "if" or "when"?

> "unless"

> other ways to form conditionals

> downloadable grammar sheets (PDF)

 

>> Test yourself! Go to the exercises...

 

BASICS: WHAT ARE CONDITIONALS?

Conditionals are used to talk about the result of an action. Conditionals are usually made up of 2 parts:

- the if-clause describes the initial action

- the main clause describes the result of this action

 
Note! Sometimes, an if-clause can be found alone, i.e. not accompanied by a main clause. However, this usually occurs in spoken rather than in written English.
It is important to remember that the if-clause does not always have to be the first part of the sentence. You can also put the main clause before the if-clause!

 

Usually, the if-clause contains the word "if". However, there are exceptions to this (see below).

The if-clause can never contain the words "will" or "would"!
(As always, there is also one exception to this rule: in polite requests, "if" + "would" is combined.)

Basically, there are three types of conditionals: Type 1, Type 2 and Type 3 (see below).

 

TYPE 1

This type describes the possible result of an action that is likely to happen.
Mostly, it is used to talk about the future.
It can also be used to talk about general things. (However, general truths, i.e. something that is definite and certainly happens that way, are usually expressed by a "zero-conditional".)

Type 1 is formed as follows:

if-clause:          if + present tense
main clause:    will-future

       if + 1st verb form                    will + verb
If the weather is nice         we will go to the lake.
If he sees this                    he won't be happy.

 

TYPE 2

This type is used in two situations:
  - it can refer to the result of an action that is unlikely to happen 
  - it can be used to talk about hypotheses (=something that is not the case in reality, but you suppose it were the case)

Type 2 is formed as follows:

if-clause:          if + past tense
main clause:    would+verb

Note! In the if-clause, you can use "were" instead of "was".
Example: You can say "If I was you..." but it is better English to say "If I were you..."

Note! The word "would" can be substituted by "could" or "should".

       if + 2nd verb form                    would + verb
If he learned more           he would be better at school.
If I were you                       I wouldn't go to that party.
If you went there               you should be careful!

 

TYPE 3

This type is used to talk about the result of an action that can no longer be changed.
Conditional Type 3 always refers to the past.

Type 3 is formed as follows:

if-clause:          if + past perfect
main clause:    would have + past participle (3rd verb form)

Note! The word "would" can be substituted by "could" or "should".

   if + had + 3rd verb form                      would + have + 3rd verb form
If he had come earlier               he would have met her at the party.
If it had rained yesterday          we wouldn't have gone swimming.

"ZERO-CONDITIONAL" (TYPE 0)

This type is used for general truths, i.e. something that is always true.
Most frequently, the "zero-conditional" is used to describe the laws of physics etc.
However, you can also use it to emphasize that you are absolutely sure something always happens in a certain way.

Type 0 is formed as follows:

if-clause:          present tense
main clause:    present tense

   if + 1st verb form                       1st verb form
If you freeze water             it becomes solid.
If I come home late            my mom is always worried.

 

IMPERATIVE (COMMANDS & REQUESTS)

An if-clause can follow or be followed by a command or request.
In this case, you can only use a Type 1 if-clause!

if-clause:          present tense
main clause:    imperative

   if + 1st verb form                                    imperative
If you come home before me,     give the dog some dog food!
If you meet my brother,                 please don't tell him about the pictures!

For polite requests, it is possible to use "would" in the main clause:

   if + 1st verb form                                    would + verb
If you see my boss,              would you give her this letter, please?

In very polite indirect requests, "would" can also be used in the if-clause; in this case, the main-clause must be the first part of the sentence. (Remember: In all other conditional sentences, there can never be a "would" in the if-clause!)

   would + verb                                                 if + would + verb
I would be extremely pleased       if you would show me into my room now.

MIXED CONDITIONALS

In order to describe which result an action in the past has had on the present, Type 2 and Type 3 are combined.
To emphasize that the result is in the present, indicators (signal words) such as "now" or "today" are often used.

if-clause:          past perfect
main clause:    would + verb

   if + had + 3rd form                                           would + verb
If you had come home earlier              you wouldn't be so tired today.
If they hadn't seen the burning car      he would be dead now.

 

"IF" OR "WHEN"

Sometimes, it can be a bit tricky to tell the difference between the words "if" and "when".

Basically, both words can be used in Type 0 and in Type 1 conditional sentences. However, there is a slight difference in meaning:

if            refers to an action which is likely to happen, but it is not totally certain that the action will actually occur

when    suggests that the action will definitely occur; however, the time when the action will occur is not certain; when therefore always refers to a point in time.

If you see Sarah, she will show you her new handbag. (It is, however, not certain that you will see Sarah.)

When they arrive, they will give me a call. (I am sure that they will arrive, but I don't exactly know at what time.)

"UNLESS"

Instead of negating a Type 0 or Type 1 if-clause, you can also use the word "unless".

If you don't come home too late, I will still be awake.
Unless you come home too late, I will still be awake.

Ice cream melts if you don't put it in the freezer.
Ice cream melts unless you put it in the freezer.

OTHER WAYS TO FORM CONDITIONALS (WITHOUT "IF")

Type 3 conditional sentences can be formed without "if" or any of its substitutes using an inversion construction:

If:                   If he had known her better, he would have greeted her.
Inversion:   Had he known her better, he would have greeted her.

 

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