“ZERO”CONDITIONAL

GENERAL IDEAS,TRUE FACTS

If+Subj+present simple, Subj+present simple+compl.

If water reaches 100C, it boilsChildren get what they want if they make an effort

IMPERATIVESIf+Subj+present simple, (don’t)+V(infinitive)+compl.

If you have enough money, bring me a present!If I tell you what I heard, don’t tell anybody else.

Switch the air-conditioner on if you’re cold.

FIRSTCONDITIONAL

CERTAINTY

If+Subj+Present simple, Subj+will / won’t+V(infinitive)+c.

If you drink lemon tea, your sore throat will feel better.Mandy’s leg will get infected unless she takes care of that cut.

TIME EXPRESSIONS

(After) you read this, you’ll know what I’m talking about.He’ll be able to get a licence (when) he is eighteen.

Expressions: after, before, until, as soon as, as long as, when, once, by the time, the moment...

POSSIBILITY(=maybe / perhaps)

If+Subj+present simple, Subj +can / must / may+ V+com.

If he comes in ten minutes, he can join us.You may not pass the course if you don’t get good marks.

SECOND CONDITIONAL

HYPOTHESIS,IMAGINED FUTURE

If+Subj+Past Simple, Subj+would (‘d) / wouldn’t+V(inf)+c

If we had her number, we would phone her.I would buy a flat if I got a raise.

If she were a better swimmer, she would swim in the competition.

ADVICE If I were you, I wouldn’t talk to her that way.

POSSIBILITY(=maybe / perhaps)

If+Subj+past simple, Subj+could / might+V(inf.)+comp.

If I spent some time in England, I could speak better English.He might help us if he were here.

THIRDCONDITIONAL

IMPOSSIBILITY

If+S.+Past Perfect, S.+would have+V(p.part.)+comp.

If I hadn’t worn my new shoes, I would have been more comfortable.She wouldn’t have been upset yesterday if he had told her the truth.

UNCERTAINTY(=maybe / perhaps)

If+S.+Past Perfect, S.+could have+V(p.part.)+comp. might have

Jill might have come to the party if she had known about it in time.If my mum hadn’t won the lottery last year, we couldn’t have bought

our flat.