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TYPE 1
Use
It is possible to fulfil a condition which is given in the if-clause.
Form
if clause
Simple Present
main clause
will-future
or
infinitive
or
Modal + infinitive
Examples
If I study,
If you see John tonight,
If Ben gets up early,
I will pass the exams.
tell him to e-mail me.
he can catch the bus.
The if-clause can be at the beginning or at the end of the sentence.
If I study,
I will pass the exams
I will pass the exams.
if I study.
TYPE 2
Use
It is theoretically possible to fulfil a condition which is given in the if-clause.
Form
if clause
Simple Past
main clause
would + infinitive
or
could + infinitive
or
might + infinitive
Examples
If I studied,
If I studied,
If I studied,
I would pass the exams.
I could pass the exams.
I might pass the exams.
The if-clause can be at the beginning or at the end of the sentence.
If I studied,
I would pass the exams
I would pass the exams.
if I studied.
TYPE 3
Use
It is impossible to fulfil a condition which is given in the if-clause.
Form
if clause
Past Perfect
main clause
would + have + past participle
or
could + have + past participle
or
might + have + past participle
Examples
If I had studied,
If I had studied,
If I had studied,
I would have passed the exams.
I could have passed the exams.
I might have passed the exams.
The if-clause can be at the beginning or at the end of the sentence.
If I had studied,
I would have passed the exams
I would have passed the exams.
if I had studied.
If I were you
The word were in the phrase if I were you is special form. It is known as the subjunctive mood (from the grammatical point of view).
Today you also find the phrase if I was you. Here the Simple Past form of be is used. But there are people who say that this phrase is incorrect and would never use it (mainly Americans). Others say that this phrase can be used.
If I were you I would phone him. - subjunctive mood
If I was you I would phone him. - Simple Past
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