Conditionals

Listed below are examples, uses and formation of Conditionals followed by some exercises.

Examples / Usage
Conditional 0
If I am late, my father takes me to school.
She doesn't worry if Julian stays out after school. / Situations that are always true if something happens.
NOTE
This use is similiar to, and can usually be replaced by, a time clause using 'when' (example: When I am late, my father takes me to school.) -See note below-
Conditional 1
If it rains, we will stay at home.
He will arrive late unless he hurries up.
Simon will buy a new car if he gets his raise. / Often called the "real" conditional because it is used for real - or possible - situations. These situations take place if a certain condition is met. The first conditional is used to talk about the future or facts / situations which are true in the present and future.
NOTE :In the conditional 1 we often use unless which means 'if ... not'. In other words, '...unless he hurries up.' could also be written, '...if he doesn't hurry up.'.
“Provided” and “as long as” can also introduce a condition:E.g. “Provided you leave now, you’ll catch the train”
Conditional 2
If he studied more, he would pass the exam.
I would lower taxes if I were the Prime Minister.
They would buy a new house if they won the lottery. / Often called the "unreal" conditional because it is used for unreal - impossible or improbable (hypothetical) – situations, (contrary to the present situation). It is also used to give advice and express hopes and ambitions.
This conditional provides an imaginary result for a given situation.
NOTE
The verb 'to be', when used in the 2nd conditional, is always conjugated as 'were'.
Conditional 3
If he had known that, he would have decided differently.
Joanna would have found a new job if she had stayed in Gorzów. / Often referred to as the "past" conditional because it concerns only past situations with hypothetical results. Used to express a hypothetical result to a past given situation. Theyalways refer to unfulfilled conditions in the past (contrary to what really happened).

Notes:

  • Temporal clauses: In addition to if and unless, there are other words that are not followed by the future tense. These words include: before, after, when, whenever, until, till, by the time, once, the moment that, as soon as, as long as. These words are followed by the Present Simple even when we talk about the future

When you are ready, we will leave.

Until you are ready, we won't leave.

Before you leave, could you tidy your room?

Whenever I go on holiday, I buy a souvenir.

Mixed Conditions

For past events which have a result continuing in the past it is possible to use the form of a 3rd conditional in the if clause and the form of a 2nd conditional in the result clause.

E.g. “If you had saved some money, you wouldn’t be so hard up”.

Conditional Clause Variations Scheme:

Conditionals: Time and Probability Table

Probability / Conditional / Example / Time
Certain / zero conditional / If/When it rains, my father takes me home
If you heat water to 100 degrees celsius, it boils. (Universal Truths) / any time
Likely / first conditional / If it rains, I will stay in. / future
Unlikely / second conditional / If I won the lottery, I would retire. / future
Impossible / second conditional / If I had the money, I would lend it to you / present
Impossible / third conditional / If I had seen him, I would have given him the message. / past

EXERCISES

A. Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verbs in brackets. Use the first, second or third conditional.

1.If the film ...... (not be) so boring, we wouldn't have left.

2.They will miss their connection if the fiight...... (not leave) on time.

3.It would be great if people ...... (not pollute) the environment.

4.If the band ...... (give) a concert here, all my friends would go to it.

5...... you ...... (cook) such a big meal if we hadn't had so many guests?

6.If you ...... (go) to London, you should visit Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum.

7.You won't get tickets unless you ...... (get) to the stadium early.

8.If the police hadn't caught him, he ...... (escape) with the money.

B- COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES. Use your own ideas.

Complete the sentences.

1If I pass my exams, ______

2If it rains tomorrow, ______

3If we go on holiday next year, ______

4 If I meet my friend tomorrow, ______

C- Fill in the correct form of the verbs in brackets.

1. She will call you tomorrow if she ...... (have) time.

2. Tony hates being short. He would be happier if he ...... (be) taller.

3. If you ...... (come) with us last week, you would have seen some amazing things.

4. If it rains, we ...... (not go) on the trip.

5. If Lisa ...... (win) the contest, she ...... (get) a trip to Hawaii.

6. Marco is nervous about speaking to large groups. If he ...... (be) more confident, he ...... (speak) more effectively.

7. I didn’t earn much money last summer. If I ...... (earn) more money, I ...... (not borrow) any from my dad.

8. If we ...... (not hurry), we ...... (be) late for school.