Conditional structures are used to talk about a condition, especially in result, consequence, problem,… and solution. Conditionals are complex sentences, which consist of an if-clause, followed by a main clause. This gives examiner an impression that you can use complex sentence structure in your answers.
This grammatical structure is not used much in task 1.
Conditional sentence type | Usage | If clause verb tense | Main clause verb tense |
Zero | General truths | Simple present | Simple present |
Type 1 | A possible condition and its probable result | Simple present | Simple future |
Type 2 | A hypothetical condition and its probable result | Simple past | Present conditional or Present continuous conditional |
Type 3 | An unreal past condition and its probable result in the past | Past perfect | Perfect conditional |
Mixed type | An unreal past condition and its probable result in the present | Past perfect | Present contditional |
The zero conditional is used for when the time being referred to is now or always and the situation is real and possible. The zero conditional is often used to refer to general truths. The tense in both parts of the sentence is the simple present. In zero conditional sentences, the word “if” can usually be replaced by the word “when” without changing the meaning.
If clause | Main clause |
If + simple present | simple present |
If this thing happens | that thing happens. |
If you heat ice | it melts. |
If it rains | the grass gets wet. |
Function:-
The zero conditional is used to make statements about the real world, and often refers to general truths, such as scientific facts. In these sentences, the time is now or always and the situation is real and possible.
EXAMPLES
The zero conditional is also often used to give instructions, using the imperative in the main clause.
EXAMPLES
The type 1 conditional is used to refer to the present or future where the situation is real. The type 1 conditional refers to a possible condition and its probable result. In these sentences the if clause is in the simple present, and the main clause is in the simple future.
If clause | Main clause |
If + simple present | simple future |
If this thing happens | that thing will happen. |
If you don’t hurry | you will miss the train. |
If it rains today | you will get wet. |
FUNCTION
The type 1 conditional refers to a possible condition and its probable result. These sentences are based on facts, and they are used to make statements about the real world, and about particular situations. We often use such sentences to give warnings. In type 1 conditional sentences, the time is the present or future and the situation is real.
EXAMPLES
In type 1 conditional sentences, you can also use modals in the main clause instead of the future tense to express the degree of certainty, permission, or a recommendation about the outcome.
EXAMPLES
The type 2 conditional is used to refer to a time that is now or any time, and a situation that is unreal. These sentences are not based on fact. The type 2 conditional is used to refer to a hypothetical condition and its probable result. In type 2 conditional sentences, the if clause uses the simple past, and the main clause uses the present conditional.
If clause | Main clause |
If + simple past | present conditional or present continuous conditional |
If this thing happened | that thing would happen. (but I’m not sure this thing will happen) OR that thing would be happening. |
If you went to bed earlier | you would not be so tired. |
If it rained | you would get wet. |
If I spoke Italian | I would be working in Italy. |
FUNCTION
The type 2 conditional refers to an unlikely or hypothetical condition and its probable result. These sentences are not based on the actual situation. In type 2 conditional sentences, the time is now or any time and the situation is hypothetical.
EXAMPLES
It is correct, and very common, to say “if I were” instead of “if I was” (subjunctive mood).
EXAMPLES
In type 2 conditional sentences, you can also use modals in the main clause instead of “would” to express the degree of certainty, permission, or a recommendation about the outcome.
EXAMPLES
THE PRESENT CONDITIONAL TENSE
The present conditional of any verb is composed of two elements:
would + the infinitive of the main verb, without “to”
Subject | + would | + infinitive |
He | would | Go |
They | would | Stay |
TO GO: PRESENT CONDITIONAL
Affirmative | Negative | Interrogative | Interrogative Negative |
I would go | I wouldn’t go | Would I go? | Wouldn’t I go? |
You would go | You wouldn’t go | Would you go? | Wouldn’t you go? |
He would go | He wouldn’t go | Would he go? | Wouldn’t he go? |
She would go | She wouldn’t go | Would she go? | Wouldn’t she go? |
We would go | We wouldn’t go | Would we go? | Wouldn’t we go? |
They would go | They wouldn’t go | Would they go? | Wouldn’t they go? |
The type 3 conditional is used to refer to a time that is in the past, and a situation that is contrary to reality. The facts they are based on are the opposite of what is expressed. The type 3 conditional is used to refer to an unreal past condition and its probable past result. In type 3 conditional sentences, the if clause uses the past perfect, and the main clause uses the perfect conditional.
If clause | Main clause |
If + past perfect | perfect conditional or perfect continuous conditional |
If this thing had happened | that thing would have happened. (but neither of those things really happened) OR that thing would have been happening. |
If you had studied harder | you would have passed the exam. |
If it had rained | you would have gotten wet. |
If I had accepted that promotion | I would have been working in Milan. |
The type 3 conditional refers to an impossible condition in the past and its probable result in the past. These sentences are truly hypothetical and unreal, because it is now too late for the condition or its result to exist. There is always some implication of regret with type 3 conditional sentences. The reality is the opposite of, or contrary to, what the sentence expresses. In type 3 conditional sentences, the time is the past and the situation is hypothetical.
In type 3 conditional sentences, you can also use modals in the main clause instead of “would” to express the degree of certainty, permission, or a recommendation about the outcome.
Both would and had can be contracted to ‘d, which can be confusing if you are not confident with type 3 conditional sentences. Remember 2 rules:
1. would never appears in the if-clause so if ‘d appears in the if clause, it must be abbreviating had.
2. had never appears before have so if ‘d appears on a pronoun just before have, it must be abbreviating would.
THE PERFECT CONDITIONAL TENSE
The perfect conditional of any verb is composed of three elements:
would + have + past participle
Have followed by the past participle is used in other constructions as well. it is called the “perfect infinitive”.
Subject | + would | + have | + past participle |
He | Would | have | Gone |
They | Would | have | Stayed |
TO GO: PERFECT CONDITIONAL
Affirmative | Negative | Interrogative | Interrogative Negative |
I would have gone | I wouldn’t have gone | Would I have gone? | Wouldn’t I have gone? |
You would have gone | You wouldn’t have gone | Would you have gone? | Wouldn’t you have gone? |
He would have gone | He wouldn’t have gone | Would he have gone? | Wouldn’t he have gone? |
She would have gone | She wouldn’t have gone | Would she have gone? | Wouldn’t she have gone? |
We would have gone | We wouldn’t have gone | Would we have gone? | Wouldn’t we have gone? |
They would have gone | They wouldn’t have gone | Would they have gone? | Wouldn’t they have gone? |
The mixed type conditional is used to refer to a time that is in the past, and a situation that is ongoing into the present. The facts they are based on are the opposite of what is expressed. The mixed type conditional is used to refer to an unreal past condition and its probable result in the present. In mixed type conditional sentences, the if clause uses the past perfect, and the main clause uses the present conditional.
If clause | Main clause |
If + past perfect or simple past | present conditional or perfect conditional |
If this thing had happened | that thing would happen. (but this thing didn’t happen so that thing isn’t happening) |
If I had worked harder at school | I would have a better job now. |
If we had looked at the map | we wouldn’t be lost. |
If you weren’t afraid of spiders | you would have picked it up and put it outside. |
FUNCTION
This type of mixed conditional refers to an unreal past condition and its probable result in the present. These sentences express a situation which is contrary to reality both in the past and in the present. In these mixed conditional sentences, the time is the past in the “if” clause and in the presentin the main clause.
EXAMPLES
In these mixed conditional sentences, you can also use modals in the main clause instead of would to express the degree of certainty, permission, or a recommendation about the outcome.
EXAMPLES
Band 9 task 2 example (Sentence Fragment):-
Turning to possible solutions, an obvious step would be to restore some element of state funding to courses. Although public budgets are under pressure these days, if we took this step it would greatly enhance access to courses for people on lower incomes. A second remedy might be for the Universities to offer shorter courses, or more courses with an element of professionally paid work experience included. If such courses were more available, it would reduce the issue of living expenses to some extent. Finally, students themselves should perhaps be more flexible in their attitude to education, and consider attending University at a later stage, or possibly only when they have accumulated sufficient funds to support themselves. |
Band 9 task 1 (GT) example (Sentence Fragment):-
I am terribly sorry about being absent, but unfortunately the appointment was made many months in advance and it is impossible for me to reschedule. If I miss it, my visa will be cancelled and I will be forced to leave the country. I am sure you can understand, therefore, what a crucial meeting this is for me. |