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Conditionals

In this post, we take a closer look at English conditionals (zero, first, second third conditional modes and mixed conditional modes).



mixed letters


 

Zero conditional


We use the Zero conditional to refer to things that are always true, for example, laws of nature or habits.


If / When + Present Simple +  Present Simple 


  • If (when) you heat ice, it melts.

  • When (if) you don’t water the plants, they die.

  • If you drive too fast, you must pay a speeding fine.

  • When it’s sunny, many people go for walks in the park.




It is worth noting that the first and second parts of conditional sentences can be interchanged with each other.


  • If you drive too fast, you must pay a speeding fine.

  • You must pay a speeding fine, if you drive too fast.




 

1st conditional


This type of conditional sentence assumes an open condition that may or may not be fulfilled. (These are real situations, possible to fulfil). The time reference may be either present or future.


If + Present simple + will (can, must, may)


  • If the weather is nice tomorrow, we will go on a biking trip.

  • If you don’t study hard, you will fail the exam.

  • If you ever need help, you can always call me.



When we are certain that a particular condition will be fulfilled, we use "when" instead of "if."



  • I will call you when I arrive home.

  • When the email arrives, I will inform you.

  • When we finish the project, we’ll go on holiday.




 

2nd conditional


This type of conditional sentence is used to express hypothetical or imaginary conditions or when the supposition is completely impossible or contrary to reality. Time reference may be either present or future.



If + Past simple + would (could, might)


  • If I were (was) the King of England, I would be famous.

  • If I had a rich husband, I wouldn’t work.

  • What would you do if you lost your job?

  • If you weren’t talking so much, I wouldn’t have this headache.

  • If it were sunny, we would go cycling. - NOW




 

3rd conditional


This type of conditional sentence refers to the past. The condition cannot be fulfilled anymore. The speaker either regrets not having done something or having done something else.


If + Past perfect + would (could, might) have + 3rd form


  • If you had practised more, you would have passed your driving licence.

  • I would have come earlier if I had known you needed help.

  • If you hadn’t spoken about it, you would have saved yourself a lot of trouble.

  • If it had been sunny last weekend, we would have gone cycling. - PAST





yellow and red tulips


 

Mixed conditionals


Depending on what we want to say, we can mix conditionals.



 

Present-Past

If + second conditional + third conditional


This form of mixed conditionals is used when talking about past situations which could have happened differently if only a certain condition was met in the present.


If + Past Simple +  would (could, might) have + 3rd form


  • If I were you, I would have accepted that job.

  • If Jane spoke Spanish, she would have got the job.

  • If Joe practised more, he would have won the competition.




 

Past-Present

If + third conditional + second conditional


This type of mixed conditionals is used when we want to express a past situation which influences the present.


If + Past perfect + would (could, might)


  • If we had sold our old house, we would be wealthy now.

  • If Jim had taken the job, he would probably be the manager now.

  • We wouldn’t have stomach-ache if we had eaten less junk food.






 
Want to learn more about 'conditionals' in English and practice them? Check out our ebook: "Conditionals - master class"





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