| Conditional sentences
The conditional sentences are sometimes confusing for learners of English.
Watch out:
1) Which type of the conditional sentences is used?
2) Where is the if-clause (e.g. at the beginning or at the end of the conditional sentence)?
There are three types of the if-clauses
|
type |
condition |
|
I |
condition possible to fulfill |
|
II |
condition in theory possible to fulfill |
|
III |
condition not possible to fulfill (too late) |
Form
|
type |
if clause |
main clause |
|
I |
Simple Present |
will-future (or Modal + infinitive) |
|
II |
Simple Past |
would + infinitive |
|
III |
Past Perfect |
would + have + past participle |
Examples (if-clause at the beginning)
|
type |
if clause |
main clause |
|
I |
If I study, |
I will pass the exam. |
|
II |
If I studied, |
I would pass the exam. |
|
III |
If I had studied, |
I would have passed the exam. |
Examples (if-clause at the end)
|
type |
main clause |
if-clause |
|
I |
I will pass the exam |
if I study. |
|
II |
I would pass the exam |
if I studied. |
|
III |
I would have passed the exam |
if I had studied. |
Examples (affirmative and negative sentences)
|
type |
|
Examples |
|
|
|
long forms |
short/contracted forms |
|
I |
+ |
If I study, I will pass the exam. |
If I study, I'll pass the exam. |
|
- |
If I study, I will not fail the exam.
If I do not study, I will fail the exam. |
If I study, I won't fail the exam.
If I don't study, I'll fail the exam. |
|
II |
+ |
If I studied, I would pass the exam. |
If I studied, I'd pass the exam. |
|
- |
If I studied, I would not fail the exam.
If I did not study, I would fail the exam. |
If I studied, I wouldn't fail the exam.
If I didn't study, I'd fail the exam. |
|
III |
+ |
If I had studied, I would have passed the exam. |
If I'd studied, I'd have passed the exam. |
|
- |
If I had studied, I would not have failed the exam.
If I had not studied, I would have failed the exam. |
If I'd studied, I wouldn't have failed the exam.
If I hadn't studied, I'd have failed the exam. |
| |
