Conditionals
Conditionals
| 1st Conditionals | If + Present simple + Future simple |
| 2nd Conditionals | If + Past simple + Would + Main verb |
| 3rd Conditionals | If + Past Perfect + would have + Verb Past Participle |
1st Conditionals
Structure: If + Present simple + Future simple
Example: If I have enough time, I will come and see you
- Instead of will in the main clause, we can use Modal verbs (can/could/should/may/might/must), had better and imperatives.
Example:
If you work hard, you may succeed in life
If you want to pass, you had better study hard
If you need anything, just ask me
- Instead of present simple, we can also use can or should in the if-clause.
Example: If I can finish my work early, I will give him the news myself
2nd Conditionals
Structure: If+ past simple + would + main verb
- If clause Main clause
Example: If I knew her name, I would tell you
- Instead of would in the main clause, we can use should/could/might.
Example:
If I knew her name, I should tell you
If I had their address, I could write and ask them
- Instead of Past simple, we can also use past continuous tense in the if-clause if it’s necessary.
Example: If you were playing well, you would win the match
- To emphasize the improbability, we tend to use ‘were’ instead of ‘was’ after ‘I’
Example: If I were a king, I would help the poor
3rd Conditionals
Structure: If+ Past Perfect + Would have + Verb past participle
Example: If I had heard of your success, I would have been glad
- Instead of would have in the main clause, we can use could/might+ have+ verb past participle or would+ verb simple present
Example:
If I had heard of your success, I could have been glad
If I had worked hard in my youth, I would not suffer now
- Instead of past perfect, we can also use Past perfect continuous tense in the if-clause; the rest will remain the same
Example: If she hadn’t been standing here, I would have finished my meal
