IF CLAUSE MAIN CLAUSE (consequence)

FIRST CONDITIONAL If + SIMPLE PRESENT, will + base from Real situations in the present/ future.
If I study more, I will have an A+.
SECOND If+ SIMPLE PAST, would/could/might + base form Untrue, unreal or hypothetical situations in
CONDITIONAL If I had more days off, I would /could / might travel to the future or present.
Rio de Janeiro. (Real situation: I just have 2 days off, so I
won´t travel.)
THIRD CONDITIONAL If+ PAST PERFECT, would/could/might + have+ past A condition in the past that did not happen
If I had met Ann Frank, participle (untrue in the past).
I would have asked her many (Real situation, I didn´t meet her.)
things.
MIXED 2nd. & 3rd. If+ SIMPLE PAST would have + past participle It talks about an imagined situation in the
present (present condition), with the
Unreal situations If he were * a good he would have studied for the test. hypothetical consequence in the past. (past
when the “if” and student, result)
“main clause” don´t
refer to the same (Real situation: He isn´t a good student. He
time. didn´t study for the test yesterday.)

MIXED 3rd. & 2nd. IF + PAST PERFECT would/could/might + base form It talks about an imagined situation in the past
Unreal situations (past condition), with an imagined
when the “if” and If I had eaten breakfast, (hypothetical) consequence in the present
“main clause” don´t I wouldn´t be hungry now. (present result).
refer to the same
time. (Real situation: I didn´t eat breakfast in the
morning, so I´m hungry now.)

Bibliography: (Azar, 1989)

 The reason we use WERE instead of WAS is because the sentence is in the Subjunctive mood. Though in informal English, you will hear
some people say If I was... If he was... etc. This usage doesn't sound good though unfortunately is common. (Woodward English
webpage).
 CONDITIONALS (FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD)

Complete the sentences with the verbs in parentheses.

1. If the weather is nice tomorrow, we (go) ___________________________to the zoo.

2. I (make) ________________________ a tomato salad for the picnic tomorrow if the tomatoes in my garden are ripe.

3. It´s too bad Helen isn´t here. If she (be) _____________ here, she (know) ___________________ what to do.

4. You should tell your father exactly what happened. If I (be) __________________you, I (tell) ___________________him the truth as soon as
possible.

5. I don´t have enough money, but if I (do) ______________________, I _____________ (buy) that book.

6. Linda wasn´t at home yesterday. If she (be) ____________________at home, I (visit) ____________________________her.

7. I (not be) _______________________a student in this class if English (be) _________________my native language.

8. I wasn't thirsty. I didn't drink the lemonade. If I _____________________ (be) thirsty, I _______________

______________ (drink) the lemonade.

9. I (change) __________________the present economic policy if I (be) __________________the President of Ecuador.

10. I didn't know Kirsty was in town. I didn't call her. I ___________________ (call) Kirsty if I __________

_____________ (know) she was in town.

11. George has only two pairs of socks. If he (have) _____________________more than two pairs of socks, he (have to, not)
_____________________wash his socks so often.

12. I didn't know watching this documentary was important for our exam. I didn't watch it. If I _____________

___________ (know) this documentary was important, I _____________________ (watch) it.

13. I would fix your bicycle if I (have) _____________________________a screwdriver of the proper size.

14. I walked home from the disco. My friend was too drunk to drive. I ___________________________ (walk/not) home from the disco if my friend
_______________ (be/not) too drunk to drive

15. I don't know his address. I can't contact him. If I _______________it, I _____________him.

16. If you´re late again, you ____________________ (have) problems with the boss.

17. I am eighteen. I can´t rent a car in North Carolina. But if I _______________21, I ______________ (rent) a car
18. If no-one calls by next week, I ______________ (sell) the stereo to you.

19. What _________ you ________ (do) if she refuses to go out with you?

20. He didn't buy any lettuce. I couldn't make a salad. If he ________________some lettuce, I ____________ a salad.