CONDITIONALS

We commonly express a condition using an if-clause with a main clause. Conditional sentences are often categorised as: Zero, First, Second, Third, Mixed. These are patterns to learn when studying  conditionals

Type

Conditional Clause

Main Clause

Zero

General truth or scientific fact

Present Simple

If you speak clearly,

Present Simple

the people understand you.

First

Real situation in the present/future

Present Simple

 

 

 

 

If she rings this evening,

Simple Future, Imperative, can/must/may, etc.+ bare infinitive

 

I’ll let you know.

Second

Unreal in the preset or advice  

Past Simple

 

If I were you,

Would/could/might+bare infinitive

I wouldn't argue with the boss.

Third

Unreal in the past

Past Perfect

 

If I had seen her,

Would/could/might+ have +past participle

I’d have told her about the results of our project.

Mixed

Type 3

If you hadn’t invited me,

Type 2

If I were you,

Type 2

Even if nobody wanted it,

 

Type 2

I wouldn’t be here now.

Type 3

I would have invited her.

Type 1

The sun will rise.

 

When the if-clause comes before the main clause, we separate the two clauses with a comma.

If you work hard, you will succeed.

We don't use a comma when the if-clause follows the main clause.

It would be nice if you would stop talking for a bit.

Note! We use were instead of was for all persons in if-clause in the Second Conditional, e.g.

          If I were you, I would accept your offer.

If-When

In Conditionals we can use if and when to distance our ideas from reality. Note the difference between if and when. If: something may happen. When: something definitely happens.

Alternatives to if in conditionals:

 

PROVIDE/ PROVIDE THAT

provided also provided that are used to say that something will only be possible if something else happens or is done ( providing):
He can come with us, provided he pays for his own meals. 

You can drive this car provided/providing (that) you’re fully insured

IN CASE 

 An in case-clause gives a reason while an if-clause describes a condition:

I'll buy a sandwich in case I get hungry. (I'll buy a sandwich because I may get hungry later.)
I'll buy a sandwich if I get hungry. (I'll buy a sandwich when I get hungry.)

SO/AS LONG AS

So/As long as can be used instead of if to express a condition. Note that providing/provided (that) is a bit formal:

You can stay here as long as you keep quiet.
Provided/Providing (that) the bills are paid, tenants will not be evicted.

SUPPOSE/SUPPOSING, WHAT IF

Suppose/supposing and what if can replace if, mainly in everyday conversation, and are often used without a main clause:

Suppose/supposing you won the lottery, what would you do?
Suppose/supposing you can't find a job?
What if you are not accepted to university? What will you do then?

UNLESS

Unless is followed by an affirmative verb to express "if ... not":

My leg's broken. I can't stand up unless you help me. (I can't stand up if you don't help me.)

WISHES

Wish, if only: structures

Wish and if only can be used with would and past tenses. These structures express regrets, and wishes for unlikely or impossible things. If only is more emphatic.

Were can be used instead of was, especially in a formal style. Past tenses are used to talk about the present.

Unreal Present: Wish/if only + Past simple/past continuous 

Expresses a wish that something would be different in the present situation

I wish (if only) I knew the etiquette better. (but I do not)

He wishes he was/were on vacation now.( but he isn't)

Unreal Past:  Wish/ if only + Past perfect

Expresses regret that something happened or didn’t happen in the past

I wish (If only) I hadn’t done it. (but I did)

I wish I  had accepted their offer. (but I didn't)

Wish/if only + would  is used to express polite imperative and/or annoyance

I wish  they would stop arguing.

I wish you would stop interrupting me all the time.

 

 

verb form after wish

time reference

example(+ meaning)

Past Simple

Past Simple

Past Continuous

could

would

Past Perfect

could have

present

present

present

present

future

past

past

I wish I knew the answer. (=I don’t know)

I wish I was/were better at sports. (=I’m not)

I wish I was/were going with you. (=I’m not)

I wish I could give you an answer. (=I can’t)

I wish I you would be quiet. (=Your talking irritates me.)

I wish I had known you then. (=but I didn’t)

I wish I could have explained. (=I wasn’t able to)