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2. Second conditional
a. Nature: unreal (impossible) or improbable situations.
b. Time: present; the TENSE is past, but we are talking about
the present, now.
e.g. If I knew her name, I would tell you.
If I were you, I would tell my father.
Compare: If I become president, I will change the social
security system. (Said by a presidential candidate)
If I became president, I would change the social security
system. (Said by a schoolboy: improbable)
If we win this match, we are qualified for the semifinals.
If I won a million pounds, I would stop teaching.
(improbable)
3. Third conditional
a. Nature: unreal
b. Time: Past (so we are talking about a situation that was not so
in the past.)
e.g. If you had warned me, I would not have told your father
about that party.(But you didn't, and I have).
Remember!
1. The conditional construction does not normally use
will or would in if-clauses. EXCEPTION: If will or would
express willingness, as in requests, they can be used in ifclauses.
e.g. If you will come this way, the manager will see
you now.
I would be grateful if you would give me a little help.
(= please, come this way; please, give me...)
Conditional sentences
Conditional sentences are sometimes confusing for learners of English as a second language.
Watch out:
1. Which type of conditional sentences is it?
2. Where is the if-clause (e.g. at the beginning or at the end of the conditional sentence)?
There are three types of conditional sentences.
type
condition
I
condition possible to fulfill
II condition in theory possible to fulfill
III condition not possible to fulfill (too late)
1. Form
type
if-clause
main clause
I
Simple Present will-future or (Modal + infinitive)
II Simple Past
would + infinitive *
type
if-clause
III Past Perfect
main clause
would + have + past participle *
Examples
long forms
+ If I study, I will pass the exam.
If I study, I will not fail the exam.
If I do not study, I will fail the exam.
+ If I studied, I would pass the exam.
If I studied, I would not fail the exam.
If I did not study, I would fail the exam.
If I had studied, I would 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.
II
III
short/contracted forms
If I study, I'll pass the exam.
If I study, I won't fail the exam.
If I don't study, I'll fail the exam.
If I studied, I'd pass the exam.
If I studied, I wouldn't fail the exam.
If I didn't study, I'd fail the exam.
If I'd studied, I'd have passed the exam.
If I'd studied, I wouldn't have failed the
exam.
If I hadn't studied, I'd have failed the exam.
* We can substitute could or might for would (should, may or must are sometimes possible, too).
Thanks to Kai.