Imagined conditions
There are different types of conditions. Some are possible or likely, others are unlikely, andothers are impossible:
If the weather improves, we’ll go for a walk.(It is possible or likely that the weather will improve.)
If the weather improved, we could go for a walk.(It is not likely that the weather will improve.)
If the weather had improved, we could have gone for a walk.(The weather did not improve – fine weather is therefore an impossible condition.)
These types of conditions are used in three types of sentences, called first, second and third conditional sentences.
Imagined conditions: the first conditional
We use the first conditional to talk about the result of an imagined future situation, when we believe the imagined situation is quite likely:
[imagined future situation]If the taxi doesn’t come soon,[future result]I’ll drive you myself.
First conditional: form
conditional clause | main clause |
if+ present simple | modal verb with future meaning (shall/should/will/would/can/could/may/might) |
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We use the modal verb in the main clause, not in the conditional clause.
If a lawyerreadsthe document, wewill seeif we’ve missed anything important.
Not:If a lawyer will read the document…
Imagined conditions: the second conditional
We use the second conditional to talk about the possible result of an imagined situation in the present or future. We say what the conditions must be for the present or future situation to be different.
If peoplecomplained, thingswouldchange.(People don’t complain at themoment.)
Second conditional: form
conditional clause | main clause |
if+ past simple | modal verb with future-in-the-past meaning (should/would/might/could) |
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We use a past form in the conditional clause to indicate a distance from reality, rather than indicating past time. We often use past forms in this way in English.
We usewouldin the main clause, not in the conditional clause:
If youdecidedto take the exam, you would have to register by 31 March.
Not:If you would decide to take the exam…
See also:
Politeness
First and second conditional compared
When we use the first conditional, we think the imagined situation is more likely to happen than when we use the second conditional.
first conditional | second conditional |
(it’s possible or likely that the flight will be late) |
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Imagined conditions: the third conditional
We use the third conditional when we imagine a different past, where something did or did not happen, and we imagine a different result:
If Ihad playedbetter, Iwould have won.(I didn’t play well and I didn’t win.)
Itwould have beeneasier if Georgehad broughthis own car.(George didn’t bring his own car, so the situation was difficult.)
If the doghadn’t barked, wewouldn’t have knownthere was someone in the garden.(The dog barked, so we knew there was someone in the garden.)
Third conditional: form
conditional clause | main clause |
if+ past perfect | modal verb with future-in-the-past meaning (should/would/might/could) +have+ -edform |
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We usewould have + -edin the main clause, not in the conditional clause:
If hehad stayedin the same room as Dave, itwould have beena disaster.
Not:If he would have stayed…it would have been a disaster.
People do sometimes use the form withwould havein informal speaking, but many speakers consider it incorrect.
Real conditionals
Some conditions seem more real to us than others. Real conditionals refer to things that are true, that have happened, or are very likely to happen:
If you park here, they clamp your wheels.(It is always true that they clamp your wheels if, or every time, you park here.)
If I can’t sleep, I listen to the radio.(it is often true that I can’t sleep, so I listen to the radio)
In real conditional sentences, we can use the present simple or present continuous in both clauses for present situations, and the past simple or past continuous in both clauses for past situations. We can use these in various different combinations.
Present simple + present simple
If the weatherisfine, weeatoutside on the terrace.(Every time this happens, this is what we do.)
Present continuous + present simple
If the kidsare enjoyingthemselves, we justletthem go on playing till they’re ready for bed.(Every time this happens, this is what we do.)
Present continuous + present continuous
If the economyis growingby 6%, thenit is growingtoo fast.(If it is true that the economy is growing by 6%, then it is true that it is growing too fast.)
Past simple + past simple
If my fatherhada day off, we alwayswentto see my granddad.(Every time that happened in the past, that is what we did.)
Past simple + past continuous
Kevin alwayscamein to say hello if hewas goingpast our house.(Every time he was going past our house, that is what he did.)
We can also use modal verbs in the main clause:
If we go out, wecanusuallygeta baby sitter.(Every time we go out, it is usually possible to get a babysitter.)
If we wanted someone to fix something, wewould askour neighbour. He was always ready to help.(Every time we wanted someone, we would ask our neighbour.)
See also:
Substitution
Types of conditional: summary
The table shows how the main types of conditionals relate to one another.
true | likely/possible | less likely/less possible | impossible |
real | first | second | third |
(We do this every time it snows.) |
(It is possible or likely she will get the job.) |
(It is less likely or unlikely that we will get more students.) |
(The rent was not low enough.) |
If+should
We can useifwithshouldto refer to events which might happen by chance or by accident:
Ifyoushouldbump into Carol, can you tell her I’m looking for her?(If by chance you bump into Carol.)
Ifthe governmentshouldever find itself in this situation again, it is to be hoped it would act more quickly.
Conditional clauses withwillorwould
Willandwouldcan be used in conditional clauses, either with the meaning of ‘being willing to do something’, or to refer to later results:
IfClarewillmeet us at the airport, it will save us a lot of time.(if Clare is willing to meet us)
Ifyouwouldall stop shouting, I will try and explain the situation!
Ifitwillmake you happy, I’ll stay at home tonight.(If it is true that you will be happy as a result, I’ll stay at home tonight.)
We sometimes stress thewillorwould, especially if we doubt that the result will be the one mentioned:
Ifit reallywouldsave the planet, I’d stop using my car tomorrow.(If it really is true that the planet would be saved as a result, I would stop using my car, but I doubt it is true.)
See also:
Conditionals in speaking
Mixed conditionals
Often, things that did or did not happen in the past have results which continue or are still important in the present. We can emphasise this by usingifwith a past perfect verb, andwouldin the main clause.
If Ihadn’t metCharles, Iwouldn’t behere now.(I met Charles so I’m here now.)
Shewouldn’tstillbe workingfor us if wehadn’t givenher a pay-rise.(We gave her a pay-rise so she is still working for us now.)
Conditionals in speaking
In speaking, we often useif-clauses without main clauses, especially when asking people politely to do things.Ifis usually followed bywill, would, canorcouldwhen it is used to be polite:
[Shop assistant to customer]
Ifyouwouldjust sign here, please.(a more polite way of sayingJust sign here, please.)
[A is writing something for B and having difficulty]
A:IfIcould havea better pen…
B:Here, use this one.
A:Thanks.
See also:
If
Politeness