CONDITIONAL SENTENCES

IF CONDITIONALS

• This structure is used to express something that can happen

depending on the other.

• Conditional sentences are in three types.

 IF TYPE 01 – PROBABLE / POSSIBLE

Will/ Shall
Structure IF + present simple Can + verb infinitive
Many

• This type is used in possible situations.

That means about things that can
happen.

• In this type the verb in the if clause is in

present simple and the verb in the main
clause is in simple future.
 EXAMPLES – IF 01

1. If it rains, I won’t go to the park.

2. If I study today ,I will go to the
party tonight.
3. If I have enough money ,I I’ll buy
some new shoes.
4. She will be late if the train is
delayed.
5. She will miss the bus if she doesn’t
leave soon.

• The order of the clauses can

change.
THE NEGATIVES
• Eg. 1. If Ravi doesn’t play well we will
not win the match.

# We can also use unless in negative

sense.

• Eg. 1. Unless you work hard you will not

pass the examination.

# If you use Unless the verb should be in

positive.
 IF TYPE 02 – IMPROBABLE

Structure Would /should + verb infinitive

If + simple past Could
Might

• Things that are unlikely to happen are expressed in this

structure.

• Here we use simple past in the if clause and would, should,

could or might with the infinitive in the main clause.
 EXAMPLES - IF TYPE 02

1. If I won a lottery, I would help the poor.

2. I could give you a kilo of rice if I had
enough rice.
3. If I didn’t write the letter, the teacher would
not catch me.
4. They might call you if you performed well.
 IF TYPE 03 –IMPOSSIBLE SITUATIONS

Structure If + had + would + have + past participle

should
could
Might

# If Type 3 refers to situations in the past. We refer to an action that could have
happened in the past if a certain condition had been fulfilled.

# We use past perfect in the if clause and would, should, could, might with have
and past participle of the verb.
 EXAMPLES - IF TYPE 03

1. If I had known the address I could have told you.

2. If they hadn’t guided us, we couldn’t have climbed the rock.
3. Could they have done well if they had had the proper instructions.?
4. If I had worked in Japan, I would have learnt Japanese.
 EXERCISES
Complete with the correct form
of the verb within bracket

1. If you prepare the salad, we............... (decorate)

the house.
2. If Devi............. (cut) the fish, Devi will fry them.
3. If I find her number I............. (call) her.
4. Will he call me, if he............. (need) my help?
5. If my father................. (give ) me the key, I will
bring the car.
6. Nimal will convey the massage if he.................
(meet) Kumari.
7. If brother moves the furniture, I................. (sweep)
the house.
 EXERCISES
Complete the missing half with an appropriate phrase

1. If I had enough money,..........................

2. If I were you,.............................................
3. If I had a car,............................................
4. If you came in time,................................
5. If you didn’t speak louder,.....................
6. If I stayed closer to school,....................
7. If I saw you,..............................................
8. You would be prettier if,.........................
 EXERCISES
Complete the sentences with correct form of the verbs. Mixed type.

1. If I had joined the trip, I.......................... (enjoyed ) much.

2. If you finish your home work quickly, father.................... (take) you to the
park.
3. You will be selected to the recitation test, if you.................. (learn) the poem
well .
4. We could have seen the comet if we...................... (give up ) before dawn.
5. If I...................... (be) you, I wouldn’t do that.
6. If I pay you one million rupees,............... You.............. (sell ) me this car?
7. We would have been angry with Savindu, if he................. (betray) the whole
class.