Conditionals
Type 0 General truth |
If-clause (hypothesis) |
Main clause (result) |
Use |
If + present simple |
Present simple |
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If the temperature falls below 0 C, water turns into ice. |
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Type 1 Real present |
If + present simple, present perfect or can |
future/ imperative can/may/might/must/should/ could/have to + bare infinitive |
real – likely to happen in the present or future |
If he doesn’t pay the fine, he will go to prison. |
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Type 2 Unreal present |
If + past simple (were) |
would/could/should + bare infinitive |
imaginary situation contrary to facts in the present; also used to give advice |
If I had time, I would take up a sport. |
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Type 3 Unreal past |
If + past perfect (had +PII) |
would/should/could + have + PII |
imaginary situation contrary to facts in the past; also used to express regrets or criticism |
If she had studied harder, she would have passed the test. |
Conditional clauses consist of two parts: the if-clause (hypothesis) and the main clause (result). When the if-clause comes before the main clause, the two clauses are separated with a comma. When the main clause comes before the if-clause, then no comma is necessary.
Example: If I see Tim, I’ll give him his book.
I’ll give Tim his book if I see him.
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