CONDITIONAL SENTENCES
Conditional sentences have two parts: the if-clause and the main clause. In the sentence
If it rains I'll stay at home
"If it rains" is the if-clause, and "I'll stay at home" is the main clause.
There are three kinds of conditional sentences.
Type 1: probable
The verb in the if-clause is in the present tense; the verb in the main clause is in the future tense. It doesn't matter which comes first.
If he runs he'll get there in time.
You'll be ill if you eat all that.
This type of sentence implies that the action in the if-clause is quite probable.
Note that the meaning here is present of future.
Possible variations of the basic form
If (present) - may/can/must/imperative/present
If your documents are in order you may leave at once.
If it stops snowing we can go out.
If you want to lose weight you must eat less bread.
If you want to lose weight eat less bread.
If you heat ice it turns to water.
Instead of if we can also use unless.(=if not)
Ex. Unless you start a diet, you won´t be on top form.
- If you don´t go to Madrid, you won´t be able to see The Prado Museum.
............................................................................................................................(unless)
If you use unless, the sentence must go in affirmative.
Type 2: improbable or unreal
The verb in the if-clause is in the past tense; the verb in the main clause is in the conditional tense.
If I had a map I would lend it to you.
If he knew that it was dangerous he wouldn't come.
If I
Type 2 refers to the present of future, and the past tense in the if-clause is not a true past but a subjunctive, which indicates unreality or improbability. We don't expect the action in the if-clause to take place:
If I won a prize in a lottery I'd give up my job.
We also use the second conditional to give advice.
Ex. If I were you I wouldn´t do that
- Give advice about the following matters:
- Dejar de fumar
..................................................................................................
- Leer más libros
..................................................................................................
- No llegar tarde
..................................................................................................
- Quedarme en casa
..................................................................................................
Possible variations of the basic form
might or could may be used instead of would
If I knew her number I could ring her up.
If he had a degree he could get a job.
Type 3: impossible
The verb in the if-clause is in the past perfect tense; the verb in the main clause is in the perfect conditional. The time is past and the condition cannot be possible because the action in the if-clause didn't happen.
If I had known that you were coming I would have met you at the airport. (but I didn't know, so I didn't come)
If you had spoken more slowly he would have understood you.
(but he didn't speak slowly)
Possible variations of the basic form
could or might may be used instead of would
If Jim hadn't lent me the money I couldn't have bought the car.
If we had found him earlier we might have saved his life.
EXERCISES
Put the verbs in brackets into the correct tenses.
1. If I see him I (give) him your message.
2. What will happen if my parachute (not open)?
3. If you (not go) away I'll send for the police.
4. If she (hear) about this she will be furious.
5. If he (not start) at once he'll be late for the train.
6. If you come late they (not let) you in.
7. If I lend you £10 when you (repay) me?
8. Ask your mother, if you (not believe) me.
9. If you like the house you (buy) it?
10. If he (not like) this one I'll bring him another.
11. If I knew his address I (give) it to you.
12. He (not make) so many mistakes if he worked more slowly.
13. More tourists (come) to this town if it had a better climate.
14. If I were in prison, you (visit) me?
15. If she (do) her hair differently she might look quite nice.
16. She would understand if you (explain) the situation to her.
17. If I had known that you were in hospital I (visit) you.
18. You (get) a ticket if you had arrived ten minutes earlier.
19. If you (be) here last week you would have seen my friend.
20. If he had asked you, you (accept)?
21. If I (know) you were a bad driver I wouldn't have come with you.
22. He would have been arrested if he (try) to leave the country.
23. I (bring) you some beer if I had known that you were coming.
Finish these sentences using the conditional tenses.
1. If you ate less... 13. If he had taken my advice. ...
2. If she practised more ... 14. If the storm becomes worse ...
3. If we leave before breakfast ... 15. If I bought a car...
4. We might have saved his life if ... 16. I would visit New York ...
5. Your hair would look better ... 17. If I found a lot of money...
6. If your uncle sees you ... 18. If I had played the guitar ...
7. I would have brought my coat if ... 19. I’ll stay at home if ...
8. If I had a car ... 20. The grass would look better if ...
9. What would you do if ... 21. If he cut his hair more often ...
10. If I had had breakfast ... 22. He would lend you some money ...
11. I could have sent you a postcard if ... 23. I could rapair the bike myself if ...
12. If I hadn't been so tired I ... 24. If he had tried to leave the country ...
MIXED TYPES
1. I (wear) some warm clothes today, if I were you. It's quite cold outside.
2. You (not have) the accident if you'd been more careful.
3. If I (have) enough money. I'd buy a new car.
4. If you (wait) for a few minutes, I'll come into town with you.
5. I would have told you if I (know).
6. People (like) Robert more if he didn't always talk about himself.
7. I (speak) to my boss about my holidays today if I get the chance.
8. If he (make) a promise, he’ll keep it.
9. I'd go to the cinema more often if it (not be) so expensive.
10. I (not leave) my last job if the wages had been better.
11. He always (get) angry if you talk to him about politics.
12. If you go out without a coat, you (catch) a cold.
13. If you (ask) me, I would have helped you.
14. what (you do) if you saw someone drowning in the sea?
15. I'll go out this evening if I (not be) too busy.
16. He would enjoy this if he (be) present.
17. She can do better if she (try).
18. If you play with matches you (burn) your fingers.
19. If you broke this window you (have to) pay for it.
20. If you (lose) your way you would have to ask a policeman.
21. If you (not apologize) he will never speak to you again.
22. If he (be) clever, he would not have any difficulty.
23. What would you do if you (win) a lot of money?
24. If you can help me I (be) grateful.
25. If you had told me about it earlier I (be able) to help you.
26. If you (can - come) with us, we would have been pleased.
27. You (not make) such a mistake if you had been more careful.
28. If father (be) alive he would be horrified.
29. If it (be) fine tomorrow we shall go for a swim.
30. The man would have been saved if a helicopter (be) available
