Grammar
Conditionals
Conditional tenses are used to talk about things that could happen, might have
already happened and things that we wish would happen.
Sometimes they use the past form of verbs but it doesn’t mean we are speaking in
the past. This is called ‘unreal past’.
Conditional Usage If clause verb tense Main clause verb tense
sentence
type (result clause)
Zero General truths If + Simple present (V1) Simple present (V1)
and facts
100% If you warm ice, it melts.
Type 1 Possible and If + Simple present (V1) Simple future (will)
likely to
70% happen. If you study hard, you will pass the test.
Type 2 Possible and If + Simple past (V2) Would, could + infinitive
unlikely to
35% happen. If you went to bed you would not be so tired.
earlier,
Type 3 Impossible If + Past perfect (V3) Would, could, might + have + Past Participle
(V3)
0% If I had studied,
I would have passed.
If clause Main clause
THE ZERO CONDITIONAL
The zero conditional is used for when the If + simple present simple present
time being referred to is now or
always and the situation is real and
If this thing happens that thing happens.
possible. The zero conditional is often used
to refer to general truths. The tense in
both parts of the sentence is the simple If you heat ice it melts.
present. In zero conditional sentences, the
word "if" can usually be replaced by the
If it rains the grass gets wet.
word "when" without changing the meaning.
If clause Main clause TYPE 1 CONDITIONAL
The type 1 conditional is used to refer to
If + simple present simple future the present or future where the situation is
real. The type 1 conditional refers to a possible
condition and its probable result. In these
If this thing happens that thing will happen.
sentences the if clause is in the simple present,
and the main clause is in the simple future.
If you don't hurry you will miss the train.
If clause Main clause
If it rains today you will get wet.
If + simple past Would, could + infinitive
If this thing that thing would happen. (but I'm
happened not sure this thing will happen) OR
TYPE 2 CONDITIONAL that thing would be happening.
The type 2 conditional is used to refer to a
time that is now or any time, and a situation If you went to bed you would not be so tired.
earlier
that is unreal. These sentences are not based
on fact. The type 2 conditional is used to
refer to a hypothetical condition and its If it rained you would get wet.
probable result. In type 2 conditional
sentences, the if clause uses the simple past,
If I spoke Italian I would be working in Italy.
and the main clause uses the present
conditional.
TYPE 3 If clause Main clause
CONDITIONAL
If + past perfect Would, could, might + have + Part Participle
The type 3 conditional is used (V3)
to refer to a time that is in
the past, and a situation that
is contrary to reality. The If this thing had happened that thing would have happened. (but neither of
those things really happened) OR
facts they are based on are
that thing would have been happening.
the opposite of what is
expressed. The type 3
conditional is used to refer to If you had studied harder you would have passed the exam.
an unreal past condition and
its probable past result. In If it had rained you would have gotten wet.
type 3 conditional sentences,
the if clause uses the past
perfect, and the main clause If I had accepted that I would have been working in Milan.
promotion
uses the perfect conditional.
