Conditional sentences, if-clauses type I,

II, III
Conditional sentences

Conditional sentences are sometimes confusing for learners of English as a second language.

Watch out:

1. Which type of conditional sentences is it?

2. Where is the if-clause (e.g. at the beginning or at the end of the conditional sentence)?

There are three types of conditional sentences.

type condition

I condition possible to fulfill

II condition in theory possible to fulfill

III condition not possible to fulfill (too late)

1. Form

type if-clause main clause

I Simple Present will-future or (Modal + infinitive)

II Simple Past would + infinitive *

type if-clause main clause

III Past Perfect would + have + past participle *

2. Examples (if-clause at the beginning)

type if clause main clause

I If I study, I will pass the exam.

II If I studied, I would pass the exam.

III If I had studied, I would have passed the exam.

3. Examples (if-clause at the end)

type main clause if-clause

I I will pass the exam if I study.

II I would pass the exam if I studied.

III I would have passed the exam if I had studied.

4. Examples (affirmative and negative sentences)

 type Examples

long forms short/contracted forms

+ If I study, I will pass the exam. If I study, I'll pass the exam.

I
If I study, I will not fail the exam. If I study, I won't fail the exam.
-
If I do not study, I will fail the exam. If I don't study, I'll fail the exam.

+ If I studied, I would pass the exam. If I studied, I'd pass the exam.

II
If I studied, I would not fail the exam.
If I studied, I wouldn't fail the exam.
- If I did not study, I would fail the
If I didn't study, I'd fail the exam.
exam.

If I had studied, I would have passed If I'd studied, I'd have passed the
+
the exam. exam.

III
If I had studied, I would not have If I'd studied, I wouldn't have failed
failed the exam. the exam.
-
If I had not studied, I would have If I hadn't studied, I'd have failed the
failed the exam. exam.

* We can substitute could or might for would (should, may or must are sometimes possible, too).

I would pass the exam.

I could pass the exam.
I might pass the exam.
I may pass the exam.
I should pass the exam.
 I must pass the exam.

if I were you or if I was you

Which one is correct if I were you or if I was you?

The word were in the phrase if I were you is special form. It is known as the subjunctive mood (from the grammatical
point of view).

Today you also find the phrase if I was you. Here Simple Past form of be is used. But there are people who say that this
phrase is incorrect and would never use it (mainly Americans). Others say that this phrase can be used.

If I were you I would phone him. subjunctive mood

If I was you I would phone him. Simple Past

Real and unreal conditionals, Modals

and position of if-clauses
1. Structure of if-clauses

If-clauses can be clause-initial (1.), clause-medial (2.) as well as clause-final (3.).

1. If you like, we can catch a movie.

2. We, if you like, can catch a movie.
3. We can catch a movie if you like.

2. Types

Aside from the typical type I, II, III strucure, conditionals can be divided into two categories:
real and unreal conditionals.

2.1. Real condition

Conditional sentence type

If I have money, I spend it. Present Real Conditional type I

If I had money, I spent it. Past Real Conditional type I

 Conditional sentence type

If I have money, I will/am going to spend it. Future Real Conditional type I

2.2. Unreal condition

Conditional sentence Explanation type

If I had had money, I would have

Past unreal Conditional type III
spent it.

I think about spending the money Present unreal Conditional type

If I had money, I would spend it.
TODAY. II

I think about spending the money

If I had money, I would spend it. Future unreal Conditional type II
NEXT WEEK.

3. Modal verbs

Main clauses with real conditional tenses can have modal verbs.

If I have money, I can spend it.

You can use could and might instead of would in unreal conditional clauses.

If I had money, I could spend it. (I would be able to spend it.)

If I had money, I might spend it. (I would possibly spend it.)

Real and unreal conditionals, Modals

and position of if-clauses
1. Structure of if-clauses

If-clauses can be clause-initial (1.), clause-medial (2.) as well as clause-final (3.).

1. If you like, we can catch a movie.

2. We, if you like, can catch a movie.
 3. We can catch a movie if you like.

2. Types

Aside from the typical type I, II, III strucure, conditionals can be divided into two categories:
real and unreal conditionals.

2.1. Real condition

Conditional sentence type

If I have money, I spend it. Present Real Conditional type I

If I had money, I spent it. Past Real Conditional type I

If I have money, I will/am going to spend it. Future Real Conditional type I

2.2. Unreal condition

Conditional sentence Explanation type

If I had had money, I would have

Past unreal Conditional type III
spent it.

I think about spending the money Present unreal Conditional type

If I had money, I would spend it.
TODAY. II

I think about spending the money

If I had money, I would spend it. Future unreal Conditional type II
NEXT WEEK.

3. Modal verbs

Main clauses with real conditional tenses can have modal verbs.

If I have money, I can spend it.

You can use could and might instead of would in unreal conditional clauses.

If I had money, I could spend it. (I would be able to spend it.)

If I had money, I might spend it. (I would possibly spend it.)
Replacing if Omitting if if vs. when
in case vs. if
1. Replacing if

If can be replaced by words or expressions with a similar meaning.

The most common are:

as long as
assuming (that)
on condition (that)
on the assumption (that)
provided (that)
supposing (that)
unless
with the condition (that)

2. Omitting if

Had I known... (instead of If I had known...)

Were you my daughter,... (instead of: If you were my daughter,...)

Should you need my advice,... (instead of: If you should need my advice,...)

3. if when

3.1. if and when are interchangeable when the statement of the conditional clause is a fact or a general issue (also known
as zero conditional)

If you heat ice, it melts.

When you heat ice, it melts

3.2. if is used for something that, according to the speaker, might happen.

We can spend the afternoon on the beach if the weather is fine.

3.3. when is used for something that, according to the speaker, will happen.
I will clean up the kitchen right away when I'm back from work.

4. in case if

in case of can be used to shorten an if-clause as shown below:

If there is a fire, leave the room.

In case of fire, leave the room.

While if expresses a condition (1), in case is used to express a possibility (2).

1. I need painkillers if I'm in severe pain.

2. I need painkillers in case I'm in severe pain.

The expression just in case is used pretty much the same way.

I got you a pizza just in case you were hungry. (I don't know whether you are hungry)