CONDITIONALS

Zero conditional

if + present simple, present simple

We use the zero conditional to describe a general truth.

If I revise, I always pass the exams.

First conditional

if + present simple, will + infinitive

We use the first conditional:

• to describe possibilities in the present and future.

If I pass my exams, I’ll work in IT.

• to make promises and give warnings.

You won’t pass your exams if you don’t revise.

We can’t use will in the conditional clause.

Second conditional

if + past simple, would + infinitive

We use the second conditional to describe things unlikely to happen in the present or future.

If I was a millionaire, I wouldn’t need a job.

We can use could instead of would in the result clause.

If I had a camera, I could take a photo.

We use were instead of was with I, he, she and it in the conditional clause.

I wouldn’t do that if I were you.

Third conditional

if  HAD + past participle,     would HAVE+ past participle

We use the third conditional to describe hypothetical situations in the past (situations which didn’t happen).

We wouldn’t have missed the train if we’d left the house on time. (We didn’t leave the house on time, so we missed the train.)

1 We can replace if with as long as / provided that to mean but only if, which is more emphatic than if. Compare:

They’ll succeed if they try hard.

They’ll succeed as long as they try hard.

2 We can replace if ... in negative conditional sentences with unless and a positive verb form. Compare:

We’ll be late if we don’t leave now. (negative verb form)

We’ll be late unless we leave now. (positive verb form)

1 - Had and would can both be contracted to ’d in conditional sentences.

If you’d (= had) told me, I’d (= would) have understood.

2 - Had can only be contracted to ’d when it is an auxiliary verb, not when it is a main verb.

If I’d (= auxiliary) studied, I’d have passed the exam.

If I had (= main verb) lots of money, I’d go skiing.

• Wanting things to be different:

wish + COULD + infinitive

I wish I could swim.

I wish he could come to the party.

• Regretting things: 

wish + PAST PERFECT

I wish I hadn’t broken your book.

• Annoyed by something (it’s happening or won’t happen):

wish + WOULD + infinitive

I wish you would stop bothering me!

I wish she would love me.