If clause
Main clause
If + Present tense
Present tense
First conditional
If clause
Main clause
If + Present tense
If it rains today,
We also can use unless, provided, as long as, should (if by any chance), even if
Unless you leave at once, Ill call the police
Provided you leave now, youll catch the train
Should you see John, can give him a message?
Even if it rains, well still go for a picnic
Variations
To make conditionals seem unlikely to happen
If I happen to see you tomorrow, Ill pay you back
If I should happen to see you tomorrow, Ill pay you back
To make the statement + formal (should instead of if + inversion)
Should you wish to change the room, well be happy to help you
Second conditional (it refers to an unlikely, imaginary or unreal
present/future situation, it never refers to the past)
If clause
Main clause
If + Past Simple
Main clause
Variation
Had (instead of if) + inversion = +formal
Had he know she was married, he would never asked her out on a date
Alternatives ways to express wishes, regrets and criticism about the past.
Wish/if only/would rather/would sooner
I wish I hadnt eaten my dinner so quickly
Id rather she hadnt told them my secret
If only you had listened to my advice
Should + perfect infinitive
We should have bought an umbrella
We shouldnt have spoken to him like that
Mixed or fourth conditional (unreal/imaginary situation in which we mix
the past and the present/future time reference)
If I had studied, I would be a doctor (today) 3 rd + 2nd = pas + present
If I knew first aid, I would have helped those people (yesterday) 2 nd + 3rd
= pres + past
Other ways of making a conditional sentence
But for
But for your help, we would have been in trouble
If so, if not
There is a possibility that Jack will be late. If so, I will take this place
Colloquial omission of if
Sit down, and Ill make us a cup of tea
If and adjectives
If interested, apply within.
If necessary, take a taxi
If can mean although, usually if + adjective
The room was well-furnished, if a little badly decorated