IF CLAUSE OR CONDITIONAL CLAUSE
1. The Zero Conditional (Type 0)
The zero conditional is a structure used for talking about general truths, or scientific facts --
things which always happen under certain conditions.
A zero conditional sentence consists of two clauses, an "if" clause and a main clause (note
that most zero conditional sentences will mean the same thing if "when" is used instead
of "if"). For example:
If the "if" clause comes first, a comma is usually used. If the "if" clause comes second, there
is no need for a comma.
The simple present tense is the tense use in both clauses. Examples:
If you cross an international date line, the time changes.
Phosphorus burns if you expose it to air.
2. First Conditional (Type I)
The first conditional (also called conditional type 1) is a structure used for talking about
possibilities in the present or in the future.Type 1: if + present + future.
Example:
If I have the money, I will buy this car.
If it's sunny, we'll go to the park.
Peter will be sad if Susan leaves.
If you cook dinner, I'll wash the dishes.
Among other variations the structure if + present + present is also possible. It is used when
the results are habitual or automatic. Example: If a commodity is in short, supply
prices tend to rise.
3. Second Conditional (Type II)
The second conditional (also called conditional type 2) is a structure used for talking about
unreal situations in the present or in the future.Type 2: if + past + conditional
Example:
If I had the money, I would buy this car. (Since I do not have the money I cannot buy any
new car). The action in type 2 is characterized by unreality.
If I were you, I would drive more carefully in the rain.
If dogs had wings, they would be able to fly.
Paula would be sad if Jan left.
4. Third Conditional (Type III)
The third conditional (also called conditional type 3) is a structure used for talking about
unreal situations in the past. In other words, it is used to talk about things which DID NOT
HAPPEN in the past. Type 3: if + past perfect + perfect conditional
Full form : If I had studied harder, I probably would have passed the exam.
Contracted form :If I'd studied harder, I probably would've passed the exam.
Example:
If I had had the money, I would have bought this Audi. (But I did not have it, and so did not
buy).
If you had driven more carefully, you would not have had an accident. (You had an accident
because you didn't drive carefully enough.)
If we had played a little better, we could have won the game.(We didn't play well, so we lost
the game.)
The action in type 3 is characterized by impossibility.
While type 1 and type 2 focus on the present or future, the time in type 3 is the past and
signifies a completed action in the past. The condition, therefore, cannot be fulfilled because
the action in the if-clause did not happen.
Summary
IF-CLAUSE RESULT CLAUSE Explanation
if-clause uses simple present
simple present verb simple present verb
result clause uses simple present
If it rains, my car window leaks.
If it gets cold enough, water becomes ice. <-expresses an established or predictable
If I don't do my I learn nothing. fact, or it expresses a general truth
homework,
If Marie doesn't she gets hungry at
<-expresses a habitual situation or a
eat dinner, midnight.
habitual activity.
If I exercise, I look great!
If someone calls, take a message please. <-gives a command
modal + simple present if-clause uses simple present
simple present verb
verb result clause uses modal + verb
If it rains, my window might leak. <-expresses a fact
If the phone rings, I will answer it. <-expresses a future situation
we can go to the beach
If the weather is sunny, <-expresses a future activity
Sunday.
5. Wish Sentences
The verb wish expresses a desire for a situation that does not exist right now in the present. A
wish is a desire to change a real situation into an unreal one. The unreal situation is expressed
in the simple past. For example:
I wish I lived in a house. I live in an apartment.
Wish sentences often express regret about a situation that you would like to change e.g.
A:Can you help me? B: No, I'm sorry. I wish I could, but I have an appointment.
In order to express future actions that you want to happen , you use would e.g.
I wish the bus would come. I'm cold.
I wish you'd have a car to take me to the beach.
I wish I were thin.
I wish I hadn't said that. (If fact, I said it)
