Conditional Sentences

1. Type I PROBABLE / REAL CONDITIONS

IF + Simple Present Will + VB infinitive

If Peter calls after 11.00 p.m., I will not answer his call.
I’ll pick you up at 6.00 if it doesn’t rain. = Unless it rains, I’ll pick you up at 6.00.

❖ General truths/Nature Laws: Simple Present + Simple Present. Butter melts if you heat it.
❖ Should you wish to go, let me know (more formal)(less probable)

2. Type II IMPROBABLE / IMAGINARY / UNREAL CONDITIONS

If she studied, she would / could / might / should pass her exams.

IF + Simple Past Would / could / might / should + VB infinitive

❖ If I were you, I would stop doing that. (Giving advice)

❖ Imaginary future situations: If I were to change my job, we’d need to move to London.

3. Type III IMPOSSIBLE CONDITIONS

IF + Past Perfect Would / could / might / should + have + VB Past Participle

If she had studied, she would have passed her exams.

❖ Inversion: Had I known before, I would have said something different.

❖ Continuous: I wouldn’t have done that if I had been watching more carefully.

4. Type IV MIXED CONDITIONAL SENTENCES

5. Type V Effects / consequences upon the present

Type IV If John hadn’t graduated as a lawyer, he wouldn’t be president now.

Type V I wouldn’t have bothered to ask you, if I knew the answer.

( I still don’t know the answer)

Other phrases used to introduce conditional clauses

❖ Suppose / Imagine (that) you had £1m, What would you do?
❖ I’ll write to you every week as/so long as you promise to reply.
❖ We’ll have the meeting this afternoon, provided / providing (that) nobody objects.