CONDITIONAL SENTENCES

By Patricia López

Conditional Sentences

Zero Conditional SentencesType 1Type 2Type 3

Mixed Conditional Sentences

ZERO CONDITIONAL SENTENCES

USE: General truths

FORM: Present tense + present tense

E.G. If you leave ice out of the fridge, it melts

Type 1USE: express aspects of persuasion.

It refers to the future.

FORM:

E.G. If she wakes up early, she’ll come with us If you see Mark, tell him to call me.

If- Present tense + Will

If- Present tense + Imperative

Your turn!

• 1- If Sarah______ (call), ______ (tell) her to call back later.

• If you _____ (go) to the mall, ______ (bring) me some Chinese food, please.

• We ______ (talk) with her, as soon as she _______ (get) home.

Type 2

USE: To speculate about something we perceive to be impossible (very

unlikely)

FORM: If-past tense + would-bare infinitive

E.G. If he wasn’t so annoying, I’d spend more time with him.

If I were you, I’d apologize to her.

Your turn!

• 1- If He _____ (ask), I ______ (help) him right away.

• 2- If I _______ (be not) your sister, I _______(tell) your boss what you did!

• 3- If Lucy _______ (want), Chris ______ (take) her to Ireland with him.

Type 3

USE: To speculate about past events and about how things that happened or didn’t happen might have affected other things.

FORM: If-Past perfect + Would have-past part.

E.G. If you hadn’t driven so fast, you wouldn’t have got the ticket.

Your turn!

• 1- If I______ (know) you were coming, I ______ (organize) a welcome party!

• 2- Sarah ______ (cook), if we ______ (ask) her to do it.

• 3- If James _______ (not find out) the truth, he _______ (not spoil) the project.

Mixed Conditional

USE: Things we did in the past that may have present consequences.

Past events that may be the result of present facts.

FORM: If-past perfect + would-bare infinitive

If-past tense + would have-past part

E.G.

If you hadn’t wasted so much money, we’d have a better house now.

If I had a good Sat Nav, I wouldn’t have got lost.

By Patricia López