CONDITIONALS

CONDITIONAL CLAUSE RESULT CLAUSE EXAMPLES

FIRST CONDITIONAL

if + PRESENT SIMPLE

unless

FUTURE SIMPLE MAY/MIGHT + base form

IMPERATIVE

-If I finish early, I will go to the cinema with you.-You will improve your English, if you practice it.-If she feels worse, she may / might stay at home.-Ask for permission, unless you want to be punished.

SECOND CONDITIONAL

if + PAST SIMPLEunless

WOULD + base formCOULD/MIGHT

-If I were in London, I would visit Picadilly Circus.-You could /might go on holiday, if you had money.

THIRD CONDITIONAL

if + PAST PERFECT

unless

WOULD HAVE + past participle

COULD/MIGHT HAVE

-If I had arrived on time, I would have seen you.-You could /might have visited us, if you had told me.

CONDITIONAL SENTENCES uses

• 1st Conditional expresses what will happen if the condition is accomplished.

• 2nd Conditional refers to the present, but it is hypothetical (not very likeable to happen)

• 3rd Conditional has no condition, because it refers to the past and the hypothesis can’t be possible anymore.

TAKING INTO ACCOUNT…

• We can use UNLESS (if not) and the affirmative clause.– If you don’t study, you won’t pass = Unless you

study, you won’t pass.

• We usually use WERE in singular person; but we must use WERE with the pronoun I, when giving advice.– If I were you, I would phone her.

TEMPORARY SENTENCES

• They make reference to the future. They are done with 1st conditional: pr. simple; will. We are not using if anymore: WHEN, BY THE TIME, AS SOON AS…– When I get home, I’ll send you an email.– I will travel to Australia, as soon as I have enough

money.

WISH CLAUSESFORM USES EXAMPLES

WISH + Past SimpleIF ONLY

Refers to a present situation that the speaker is unhappy about

If only I had a car.He wishes his friends were here now.

WISH +Past PerfectIF ONLY

Expresses regret about a past action or situation.

If only I hadn’t lost my mobile phone!I wish he had called me.

WISH + couldIf only +WOULD + base form

Expresses a desire for something to happen in the future.

I wish I could go to university.I like Jack so much. If only he would call me!

WISH CLAUSESFORM USES EXAMPLES

WISH + Past SimpleIF ONLY

Refers to a present situation that the speaker is unhappy about

If only I had a car.He wishes his friends were here now.

WISH +Past PerfectIF ONLY

Expresses regret about a past action or situation.

If only I hadn’t lost my mobile phone!I wish he had called me.

WISH + couldIf only +WOULD + base form

Expresses a desire for something to happen in the future.

I wish I could go to university.I like Jack so much. If only he would call me!