1/11/2014

Conditional Sentences

Conditional sentences consist of two parts: the main clause and the if-clause, which can be at the beginning or at the end of the sentence.

If you give her a present, she will be happy.
She will be happy if you give her a present.


There are different types of conditional sentences.

Conditional Sentences Type 0 (general truth)

We use them when we want to express that something is always true.

Form:
If + present, present.


If you mix yellow and red, you get orange.

If + past, past

If I made a promise, I kept it.

LINK:
http://perso.wanadoo.es/autoenglish/gr.zero.i.htm

Conditional Sentences Type 1

We use them when we want to express probable or real situations in the present or future.

Form:

If + simple present, will.

If she studies, she will pass her exams.

Variations.

If – clause: present continuous / present perfect
Main clause: can / may / must / imperative / should
.


If you have a doubt, ask me.
If you have finished the exercises, you can watch TV.
If he doesn’t pay the fine, he may go to prison.
If she is tired, she must / should go to bed.
If you are looking for Sam, you’ll find him in the garden.


LINKS:
http://perso.wanadoo.es/autoenglish/gr.con1.1.i.htm
http://perso.wanadoo.es/autoenglish/gr.con1.2.i.htm
http://perso.wanadoo.es/autoenglish/gr.con1.3.i.htm
http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises/if1.htm
http://www.english-4u.de/cond_clauses_ex1.htm

Conditional Sentences Type 2

We use them when we want to express imaginary situations in the present or future.

Form:

If + past simple, would

If I had a lot of money, I would buy a big house.

We can also use “If I were you…” when we want to give advice.

If I were you, I would buy the red car.

Note: we can use “were” for all persons in conditional sentences type 2.
If she was / were in England she would visit Stonehenge.


Variations:

If- clause: Past continuous
Main Clause: could / might


If he wasn’t working, he would be able to come to our party.
If I met my favourite singer, I might ask him about his next CD
.

LINKS:
http://perso.wanadoo.es/autoenglish/gr.con2.1.i.htm
http://perso.wanadoo.es/autoenglish/gr.con2.2.i.htm
http://perso.wanadoo.es/autoenglish/gr.con2.3.i.htm
http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises/if2.htm

Conditional Sentences Type 3

We use them when we want to express imaginary situations in the past that can now never happen. We also use them to express regret or criticism.

Form:

If + past perfect, would have + past participle

If I had studied, I wouldn’t have failed my exams. ( I didn’t study)
If we had gone by plane, we would have saved time.

Variations:
Main clause: could / might have + past participle


If he had known about the meeting, he could have told us.
If he had known about the meeting, he might have told us.


LINKS:
http://perso.wanadoo.es/autoenglish/gr.con3.i.htm
http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises/if3.htm

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