First, Second & Third Conditional
- Michele Milazzo
- 2 ago 2015
- Tempo di lettura: 2 min
CONDITIONAL CLAUSE AND MAIN CLAUSE
If I have enough money (conditional clause),
I will go to Japan (main clause).
I will go to Japan (main clause),
if I have enough money (conditional clause).
First, Second, and Third Conditional
First conditional: If I have enough money, I will go to Japan.
Second conditional: If I had enough money, I would go to Japan.
Third conditional: If I had had enough money, I would have gone to Japan.
Conditional clause - Main clause
If+Present Tense, will+infinite / present tense / imperative
If you help me with the dishes (if+present tense), I will help you with your homework (will+infinite).
If the sum of the digits of a number is divisible by three (if+present tense), the number is divisible by three (present tense)
If you see Mr Fox tonight (if+present tense), tell him I am ill. (imperative).
2. If+Past Tense, would+infinite
3. If+Past Perfect Tense, would have + past participle
We do not normally use will or would in the conditional clause, only in the main clause.
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 if-clauses.
If you will come this way, the manager will see you now (= please, come this way).
I would be grateful if you would give me a little help (= please, give me).
2. For the second conditional, were replaces was:
If I were a rich man...
3. After if, we can either use "some(-one, -where...)" or "any(-one, -where...).
If I have some spare time next weekend....or :
If I have any spare time...
4. Instead of if not, we can use unless.
I'll be back tomorrow unless there is a plane strike.
He'll accept the job unless the salary is too low.
5.There is a "mixed type" as well, for the present results of an unreal condition in the past:
If+Past Perfect, would+infinite.
If you had warned me [then], I would not be in prison [now].
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