Conditionals with If-Clauses

Conditionals with If-Clauses (Zero and First Conditional)

Conditionals with if-clauses are used to talk about specific situations and their outcomes. They help us express general truths, real possibilities, or likely future events.

1. When Do We Use Zero and First Conditionals?

Zero Conditional (General Truths):

  • We use the zero conditional for things that are always true, such as scientific facts or general truths.
    • If water reaches 100°C, it boils.
       

First Conditional (Real and Possible Future):

  • We use the first conditional for possible situations in the future and their likely results.
    • If it rains tomorrow, we will stay home.

2. Forming the Present Simple

Zero Conditional: If + present simple, present simple

  • If + [subject + base verb], [subject + base verb]
    • If you heat ice, it melts.
    • If I feel tired, I go to bed early.
       

First Conditional: If + present simple, will + base verb

  • If + [subject + base verb], [subject + will + base verb]
    • If you study, you will pass the exam.
    • If it’s sunny, we will go to the park.

3. Common Time Expressions

Zero Conditional:

  • Always, whenever, every time
    • Whenever I eat too much, I feel sick.
    • Every time it rains, the streets flood.

First Conditional:

  • Tomorrow, next week, soon
    • If I see her tomorrow, I will tell her the news.
    • If they come next week, we will plan a party.

3. Examples

Zero Conditional (General Truths):

  • If you mix red and blue, you get purple.
  • If you don’t drink water, you feel thirsty.

First Conditional (Possible Future):

  • If I have time, I will call you.
  • If she doesn’t study, she will fail the test.

Unreal Conditional Sentences with If Clauses

Unreal conditional sentences with If clauses are used to talk about hypothetical situations and their possible outcomes in the present or future. These sentences are not based on real or factual conditions, but rather on imagination or things that are unlikely to happen. They often express wishes, regrets, or things that could have happened but didn’t.

1. When Do We Use Unreal Conditional Sentences with If Clauses?

To talk about hypothetical situations in the present or future:

  • Unreal conditionals are used to imagine a situation that is unlikely or impossible in the present or future.
    • If I had a million dollars, I would travel the world.
    • If she were taller, she would play basketball professionally.
       

To express wishes or regrets about the present or future:

  • These sentences are often used to express regrets about things we cannot change.
    • I wish I had more free time.
    • If only they were here now.
       

To imagine different outcomes to events that didn’t happen in the past:

  • These sentences help imagine how things could be different if the conditions were real.
    • If we had known about the event, we would have attended.
    • If you had studied harder, you would have passed the exam.

2. How to Form Unreal Conditional Sentences with If Clauses?

Present Unreal Conditional (Second Conditional)

Structure: If + Past Simple, Would + Base Verb

If I won the lottery, I would buy a house.
 

Tips for Present Unreal:

  • Use past simple in the if-clause (even though we’re talking about present/future)
  • Don’t use ‘would‘ in the if-clause
  • ‘Were’ can be used instead of ‘was’ for all subjects
  • You can also use could/might instead of would


Past Unreal Conditional (Third Conditional)

Structure: If + Past Perfect, Would + Have + Past Participle

If I had studied harder, I would have passed the exam.
 

Tips for Past Unreal:

Always use ‘had‘ in the if-clause

Don’t forget ‘have‘ after would/could/might

Remember to use past participle (third form of the verb)

The situation is completely impossible because it’s in the past

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

If I would have money… (Don’t use would in if-clause)

If I had money, I will buy… (Use would, not will)

If I would known… (Use had, not would have)

If I had studied, I would passed… (Don’t forget have after would)

3. Examples

  • If I had a car, I would drive to work. (Hypothetical situation in the present: I don’t have a car, so I can’t drive to work.)
  • If I had known about the party, I would have gone. (Hypothetical situation in the past: I didn’t know about the party, so I didn’t go.)
  • If she were more confident, she would apply for the job. (Hypothetical situation in the present: She’s not confident enough to apply.)
  • If we had stayed longer, we would have seen the fireworks. (Hypothetical situation in the past: We didn’t stay long enough to see the fireworks.)
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