Conditional type zero is used to talk about general
truths, scientific facts or things which always happen under certain
conditions.
Form:
If + Simple Present, + Simple Present
Use:
The zero conditional is used to talk about things
which are always true, scientific facts, general truths:
Examples:
If you cross an international date line, the time
changes.
Phosphorus burns if you expose it to air.
If I wake up early, I go jogging.
NOTE: you can use "when" instead of
"if".
Conditional Sentence Type 1
Often called the "real" conditional because
it is used for real or possible situations. These situations take place if a
certain condition is met. It is possible and also very likely that
the condition will be fulfilled.
Form:
If + Simple Present, + Simple Future
Use
Conditional Sentences Type 1 refer to the future. An
action in the future will only happen if a certain condition is fulfilled by
that time. We don't know for sure whether the condition actually will be
fulfilled or not, but the conditions seems rather realistic – so we think
it is likely to happen.
Example:
If I have enough time, I'll watch the football match.
I may have time to watch the match but I'm not sure
about it.
Conditional Sentence Type 2
Often called the "unreal" conditional
because it is used for unreal impossible or improbable situations. This
conditional provides an imaginary result for a given situation. It is very
unlikelythat the condition will be fulfilled.
Form:
if + Simple Past, + would + base verb
Were / Was
In conditional type 2, we usually use in the if clause
"were" instead of "was" even if the pronoun
is I, he, she or it.
"were" here is a subjunctiveform.
NOTE "was" is also a possible form.
Example:
If I were a millionaire, I would buy
a castle.
Use
Conditional Sentences Type 2 refer to an action in the
present that could happen if the present situation were different. I don't
really expect the situation to change because it is very unlikely.
Example:
If I had a lot of money, I would travel around the
world.
Conditional Sentence Type 3
It is impossible that the condition
will be met because it refers to the past.
Form:
if + Past Perfect, + would + have + Past Participle
Use
Conditional Sentences Type 3 refer to situations in
the past. They express hypothetical results to past given situations.
Example:
If he had been careful, he wouldn't have had that
terrible accident.
Sometimes in the past, he was careless. He drove so
fast. So he had a terrible accident
Things to remember
1. The main clause can also be at the beginning of the
sentence. In this case, don't use a comma.
Examples:
"Phosphorus burns if you expose it to air."
" I will send her an invitation if I find her address."
" I would travel around the world if I had a million dollars."
"He wouldn't have had that terrible accident if he had been careful."
2. Main clause and/or if
clause might be negative.
Example:
If I don’t see him this afternoon, I
will phone him in the evening.
If he had been careful, he wouldn't have had an accident.
Grammar Exercises - Conditional
sentences
Principio del formulario
Match the numbers with the letters to form conditional
sentences:
1. If I were a millionaire,
2. She wouldn't have had an accident
3. I’ll watch the film,
a. if I finish early.
b. I would buy a beautiful car.
c. if she had driven carefully.
Decide which of the sentences below is conditional
type 1, 2 & 3:
If I were rich, I would travel around the world.
She wouldn't have missed the train if she
had woken up earlier.
I’ll call you if I come back early.
Put the verbs in brackets in the correct tense
(conditional 1):
If I (finish) early, I will call you.
I (catch) the 9:00 train if I hurry up .
She will know the answer, if she (try) to understand.
Put the verbs in brackets in the correct tense
(conditional 2):
If I (be) a star, I would help the needy.
He (buy) a house if he had a job.
She (be) happy, if she married him .
Put the verbs in brackets in the correct tense
(conditional 3):
If he (be) careful, he would not have had that
terrible accident.
I (pass) the exam if I had worked hard .
Her father would not have died, if he (go) to the doctor.
Choose
the correct answer:
If I (wake up)
early, I’ll go jogging.
He (visit)
his uncle, if he finishes early.
If she had taken care of her son, he
(not/become)
a criminal.
If I were a star, I (help)
the poor.
She would have been top of her class if she
(work)
hard.
