Conditional sentences

Conditional sentences
complex clauses: main clause + subordinate clause main clause: can stand on its own subordinate clause: starts with the conjunction; depends on the main clause and cannot stand on its own If you listen carefully, you will learn this. subordinate (if) clause main clause

Conditional sentences
There are different types of conditional sentences: Zero conditional Conditional type 1 Conditional type 2 Conditional type 3

Zero Conditional*
used to express general truths and facts (often things based on scientific fact)
If + the simple present, the simple present

If you heat water, it boils. If you press this switch, the computer comes on. N.B. Most zero conditional sentences mean the same thing if "when" is used instead of "if".

First conditional
expresses future possibility something that might happen If + the simple present, the future simple If we hurry, we will catch the bus. If it doesnt rain, we will have a picnic. some other verb forms are also possible: present continuous and present perfect can come in the subordinate (if) clause except future possibility, first conditionals can also express offers, suggestions, warnings and threats e.g. If you need a ticket, I can get you one.

Conditional sentences: type I

1 If I see him I (give) him a lift. 2 The table will collapse if you (stand) on it. 3 If he (eat) all that he will be ill. 4 If I find your passport I (telephone) you at once. 5 The police (arrest) him if they catch him. 6 If he (read) in bad light he will ruin his eyes. 7 Someone (steal) your car if you leave it unlocked. 8 What will happen if my parachute (not open)? 9 If he (wash) my car I'll give him 10. 10 If she (need) a radio she can borrow mine.

Second conditional
expresses an imaginary or unreal situation in the present
If + past simple verb, would + present infinitive

If I got up earlier, I wouldnt always be late. (but I dont get up early, so I am always late) If I had enough money, I would buy this book. (but I dont have enough money, so I wont buy it)

Second conditional
some other verb forms are also possible past continuous can come in the subordinate (if) clause in the subordinate (if) clause we often use were instead of was especially with If I were you... phrase e.g. If Rachel was playing her stereo, it wouldnt be so quiet here. (but she isnt playing, so it is quiet)

Compare
FIRST CONDITIONAL If I go shopping , I will need some money. (give me the money, because I will go) If I win the jackpot today, I will buy you whatever you want. (there is a chance of winning) If Sarah calls, can you tell her to call back later? (she will call, but I wont be here to answer) SECOND CONDITIONAL If I went shopping , I would need some money. (but I dont need the money, because I am not going) If I won the jackpot today, I would buy you whatever you wanted. (there is no chance of winning) If Sarah called, could you tell her to call back later? (she probably wont call, Im telling you this just in case she does)

Conditional sentences: type 2

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 If I had a typewriter I (type) it myself. If I (know) his address I'd give it to you. He (look) a lot better if he shaved more often. If you (play) for lower stakes you wouldn't lose so much. If he worked more slowly he (not make) so many mistakes. I shouldn't drink that wine if I (be) you. More tourists would come to this country if it (have) a better climate. 8 If I were sent to prison you (visit) me? 9 If someone (give) you a helicopter what would you do with it? 10 I (buy) shares in that company if I had some money

Third Conditional
used for talking about unreal situations in the past.
If + past perfect, would + perfect infinitive

If I had studied harder, I would have passed the exam. Possible variations of the basic form could or might may be used instead of would.

Conditional sentences: type 3

1 If I had known that you were in hospital I (visit) you. 2 I (offer) to help him if I had realized that he was ill. 3 If you (arrive) ten minutes earlier, you would have got a seat. 4 You would have seen my garden at its best if you (be) here last week. 5 But for his quickness I (be) killed. 6 I shouldn't have believed it if I (not see) it with my own eyes. 7 If he had slipped, he (fall) 500 metres. 8 If he had asked you, you (accept)? 9 If I (had) a map, I would have been all right. 10 If I (know) that you were coming, I'd have baked a cake.

Subjunctive
is the mood which represents something not as an actual reality, but only as a desire, plan, demand, thought, hope, possibility or unreality.

The subjunctive
The subjunctive is typically used after two structures: the verbs: ask, command, demand, insist, propose, recommend, request, suggest + that the expressions: it is desirable, essential, important, necessary, vital + that It was necessary that every student submit his essay by the weekend.

The present subjunctive

has exactly the same form as the infinitive; the present subjunctive of to be is be for all persons Long live the king. I request that Jill pick up the ball. I insist that he be here.

Use of the present subjunctive

The present subjunctive is used in certain exclamations to express a wish or hope: God bless America! Heaven forbid! It is sometimes used in poetry, either to express a wish or in clauses of condition: If this be error, and upon me proved(if this is error) Certain verbs are followed by should + infinitive constructions. When the infinitive is be, the should is sometimes omitted: He suggested that a petition (should) be drawn up.

The past subjunctive

has exactly the same form as the simple past In expressions of doubt or unreality were is more usual than was: He behaves as though he were the owner. Past subjunctives are often known as 'unreal pasts'. The past subjunctive can be used after as if/as though to indicate unreality or improbability or doubt in the present. He talks/talked as though he knew where she was.

 After as if/as though we use a past perfect when referring to a real or imaginary action in the past: He talks about Rome as though he had been there himself. (But he hasn't or probably hasn't or we don't know whether he has or not.)
Compare: Its time to leave. (or Its time for us to leave) Its time we left. (Its high time we left)

Wish/if only
Wish/if only + past simple - to express a desire for something to be different in the present. I wish I had more free time.
Wish/if only + past perfect - to express a regret about the past, a wish that something had happened. I wish you had told me before I booked the tickets.

Use the subjunctive: It is important that you ________ (try) to study often. It is important she ________ (attend) the meeting. The teacher insists that her students ________ (come) on time. It's important that Janet _________ (remember) to take her medicine twice a day. William spends money as if he _________ (win) a lottery It's just struck midnight. It's high time we _________ (leave)! If only we _________ (have) a phone! I'm tired of queuing outside the public phone box. You _________ (have) better take off your wet shoes. He walks as if he _________ (have) a wooden leg. He talks as if he _________ (do) all the work himself, but in fact Tom and I did most of it.