Types of conditionals.

Conditionals

Conditional clauses have two parts: the if-clause ( hypothesis ) and the main clause ( the result ).

If you post the invitation today, they will arrive on time.

When the if-clause comes before the main clause, we separate the two clauses with a comma.

• If you work hard, you will succeed.

We don’t use a comma when the if-clause follows the main clause.

• You will succeed if you work hard.

There are four types of conditionals:

• Type 0 general truth or scientific fact

If(when)+present simple, present simple (something which is always true)

• Type 1 real in the present/ future

If + any present form (pr. s/pr. cont./pr. perf.), future/imperative/modals+bare infinitive/pr.s. (something likely to happen in the present or the future)

• Type 2 unreal in the present or advice

If+past s. or past cont., would/could/might+bare inf. (imaginary situation contrary to facts in the present, also used to give advice)

• Type 3 unreal in the past

If+past perfect or past perf.cont., would/could/might+have+past participle (imaginary situation contrary to facts in the past; also used to express regrets or criticism)

Conditionals are usually introduced by If or Unless

(=if not - normally used with type 1 conditionals).

Instead of “if” the following expressions can be used: providing, provided (that), as long as, in case, on condition (that), but for(=without), otherwise, or else, what if, supposing, even if, only if.

If you don’t reserve a ticket, you won’t get a seat.

Unless you reserve a ticket, you won’t get a seat.

You will get a seat providing/ provided (that)/ as long as/ only if you reserve a ticket.

Only if you reserve a ticket will you get a seat. ( When we begin the sentence with “only if”, we invert the subject and the verb of the result clause )

Reserve a ticket, otherwise / or else you won’t get a seat.

What if it rains, will you still go for a picnic with him.

Supposing it rains, will you still go for a picnic with him?

Will you still go for a picnic with him even if it rains?

But for him, I wouldn’t have been able to pass the test. (If it hadn’t been for him - without his help)

The future tense is not normally used with an If-clause:

Unless you leave now, you will be late. (Not: Unless you will leave)

If you pay , you will get a receipt. (Not: If you will pay …)

After if we normally use were instead of was in all persons in type 2 conditionals in formal situations.

Was is mainly used in spoken English.

If I were/ was you, I wouldn’t buy such an expensive dress.

We do not normally use will, would or should in an if-clause.

However, we can use will, would, should in conditionals to make a request or express insistence , annoyance , doubt or uncertainty .

If you will/ would calm down for a minute, I will be able to help you. (request - Will you please calm down?)

If you will make that noise, I’ll send you out.

(insistence - If you insist on making that noise…)

If you will take my iPod again without asking, I’ll never lend you anything. (annoyance - If you do that again, I’ll be very annoyed.)

If you should need any help, ask me. (uncertainty - I am not sure you need will help.)

We can omit “if”.

When we omit “if” should , would and had (past perfect) come before the subject.

If he should turn up, tell him to wait for me. - Should he turn up, tell him to wait for me.

If I were you, I would speak to her. - Were I you, I would speak to her.

If he had known, he would have told us. - Had he known, he would have told us.

Mixed Conditionals

We can mix type 2 and type 3 conditionals.

If I were(2) you, I would have invited(3) her.

(You are not me so you didn’t invite her)

If he were(2) a fast runner, he would have won(3) the race.

(He is not a fast runner, so he didn’t win the race.)

If she had saved(3) her money, she would be going(2) on holiday.

(She didn’t save her money, so she isn’t going on holiday.)