Present Real Conditionals

Structure: if/when/whenever + simple present + simple present in the main clause

Purpose: To describe general facts, routines, or things that are always true

Examples:

I feel nervous if/when/whenever I think about flying.

If water reaches 100°C, it boils.

When children eat too much sugar, they become hyperactive.

Whenever I visit my grandmother, she makes her special cookies.

These sentences describe situations that happen repeatedly or are general truths. The result consistently follows the condition.

Note the difference in meaning:

• Whenever means “every time that” (suggesting multiple occurrences)
• If suggests a possibility (it may or may not happen)
• When assumes the action will definitely happen

Future Real Conditionals

Structure: if/when/whenever + simple present + will / be going to in the main clause

Purpose: To describe possible future situations and their results

Examples:

If you try the therapy, it will make you more confident. (You may or may not try the therapy. The result depends on your choice.)

When/Whenever you try the therapy, it will make you more confident. (The speaker assumes you will try the therapy, and predicts the result.)

If it rains tomorrow, we’ll cancel the picnic.

When the semester ends, I’m going to travel to Spain.

Important: Even though we’re talking about the future, we use the simple present tense (not future) in the if/when/whenever clause.

Real Conditionals with Modals

Structure: if clause + a modal in the main clause

Purpose: To show how likely, necessary, or possible the result is

Examples:

If you don’t understand, you might need to read it again. (Expresses possibility)

Whenever you’re worried, you have to try not to panic. (Expresses necessity)

If you finish early, you can leave. (Expresses permission)

If you want to improve, you should practice every day. (Expresses recommendation)

Common Expressions with Real Conditionals

If you ask me, … (giving an opinion)

If you don’t mind, … (making a polite request)

If you’re interested, … (offering something)

If necessary, … (expressing a possible need)

Present and Future Unreal Conditionals

If Clause Structure: if + subject + could/simple past/past continuous

Result Clause Structure: subject + would/could/might + base verb form

These conditionals describe:

• Situations that are contrary to present reality
• Hypothetical situations in the present or future
• Situations that are unlikely or impossible

Examples:

If Josh was/were studying at the library, I could help him with his homework.

(But he’s not at the library, so I can’t help him.)

If we got/could get tickets to the concert, we wouldn’t watch it on TV.

(But we probably won’t get tickets, so we’ll probably watch it on TV.)

If I had more time, I would learn another language.

(But I don’t have more time, so I won’t learn another language.)

If it wasn’t/weren’t raining, we could go for a walk.

(But it is raining, so we can’t go for a walk.)

Note: Both “was” and “were” are acceptable in if-clauses, but “were” is more formal and traditional. In phrases like “If I were you,” the subjunctive “were” is always preferred.

Past Unreal Conditionals

If Clause Structure: if + subject + had + past participle

Result Clause Structure: subject + would/could/might + have + past participle

These conditionals describe:

• Situations that did not happen in the past
• Regrets about past actions or events
• Imaginary results of different past actions

Examples:

If we had known about the storm, we would have canceled the trip.

(But we didn’t know about the storm, so we didn’t cancel the trip.)

I could have been an X-ray technician if I had studied medicine.

(But I didn’t study medicine, so I’m not an X-ray technician.)

If she had arrived earlier, she would have seen the performance.

(But she didn’t arrive earlier, so she didn’t see the performance.)

Mixed Time Unreal Conditionals

You can also create conditionals that mix time periods:

Past Condition → Present Result

If Clause: past perfect

Result Clause: would + base verb (not would have)

Example:

I would have a nicer apartment if I hadn’t bought a new car.

(I bought a car in the past, and now, in the present, I don’t have a nice apartment as a result.)

If I had studied harder in school, I would be in a better position now.

(I didn’t study hard in the past, and now I’m experiencing the consequences.)

Present Condition → Past Result

If Clause: simple past

Result Clause: would have + past participle

Example:

If I were more experienced, I would have handled the situation better yesterday.

(I’m not experienced now, which affected my past actions.)