Conditionals

Conditionals

If-clauses express different types of conditions. Generally, conditional clauses contain if, unless and provided that and normally, they are divided into three types.

If + sub + v1/v5 + ____, it/sub + v1/v5 + ____ (Type O)

If you heat water, it boils.

If + sub + v1/v5 + ____, sub + will/shall/can/may + v1+____ (Type 1)

If she earns much money, she will buy a new car.

If + sub + v1/v5 + ____, imperatives

If you want to pass your exam, work hard.

If you go to Pokhara, don’t forget to visit Phewa Lake.

If + sub + v2 + ____, sub + would/should/could/might + v1+____ (Type 2)

If I had wings, I would fly like a bird in the sky.

If they worked hard, they could earn a lot of money.

If + sub + had + v3 +___, sub + would have/should have/could have + v3 + ___ (Type 3)

If he had earned much money, he would have bought a new house.

If she had worked hard, she could have passed the exam.

Had she worked hard, she could have passed the exam.

Look at the following sentences.

If you ask me for money, I will give you some.

You will get wet if you go out in the rain.

The above examples suggest that a comma (,) is placed between if-clause and main clause when if-clause is written in the beginning. But a comma (,) is not placed if main clause is written in the beginning.

If sentences generally express the following conditions.

if + sub + v1/v5 + ____, if /sub + v1/v5 + ____

If you heat water, it boils.

If the teacher is competent, students learn fast.

We use the simple present tense in if clause and simple present also in the main clause to express the condition which shows cause and effect.

if + sub + v1/v5 + ____, imperatives

If you want to pass the exam, work hard.

If you meet Ram, give him some sweets.

We use the simple present tense in if clause and imperatives in the main clause to express the condition which is possible.

if + sub + v1/v5 +____, sub + will/shall/can/may + v1+ ____

If he earns much money, he will buy a new house.

They won’t come to the party if I don’t invite them.

We use the simple present tense in if clause and the simple future in the main clause to

express the condition which is possible. Such condition expresses a future statement.

if + sub + v2 + ____, sub + would/could/might + v1+ ____

If I were a bird, I would fly in the sky.If he earned much money, he would buy a new house.

If she worked hard, she could pass the exam.

We use the simple past tense in if clause and would, could or might in the main clause

to express the condition which is unreal. Such condition expresses a present statement.

if+ sub + had + v3 + ____, sub + would have/could have + v3 +____

If he had earned much money, he would have bought a new house.

If she had worked hard, she could have passed in the exam.

We use the past perfect tense in if clause and would have, could have or might have in the main clause to empress the condition which is unreal. Such condition expresses a past statement.

Exercise:

1.    If they make a noise, they ____ punished. (will be/would be/had been)

2.    If Neeta____ the exam, she will not come to school. (fail/ fails/ failed)

3.    What would you do if you____ (are/was/were) the headmaster?

4.    If I____ you, I would never be angry with my friends. (had/were/ am)

5.    If you study hard, you____ your goal. (could achieve/ achieve/ can achieve)

6.    If it ____ I wouldn’t go there. (rained/ will rain/ had rained)

7.    If you are my real friend, you ____ me in need. (help/ will help/ helped)

8.    Had he come in time, he____ the bus. (will catch/ would catch/ would have caught)

9.    She would have lost weight if she ____fewer sweets. (will eat/ate/had eaten)

10. If my son ____ here, I would be very happy. (is/ was/ were)

11. Unless you invite her, she____ come. (would/ wouldn't/ won't)

12. She laughs at you if you____ angry. (got /would get/ get)

13. John can't pass exam unless he____ hard. (studies/ studied/ would study)

14. If I were you, I____ to swim. (learn /would learn /would have learned)

15. If they study hard, they____ the exam. (pass /will pass/ would pass)

Answer Key:

1.    If they make a noise, they ____ punished. (will be /would be/had been)

2.    If Neeta____ the exam, she will not come to school. (fail/ fails/ failed)

3.    What would you do if you____ (are/was/were) the headmaster?

4.    If I____ you, I would never be angry with my friends. (had/were/ am)

5.    If you study hard, you____ your goal. (could achieve/ achieve/ can achieve)

6.    If it ____ I wouldn’t go there. (rained/ will rain/ had rained)

7.    If you are my real friend, you ____ me in need. (help/ will help/ helped)

8.    Had he come in time, he____ the bus. (will catch/ would catch/ would have caught)

9.    She would have lost weight if she ____fewer sweets. (will eat/ate/had eaten)

10. If my son ____ here, I would be very happy. (is/ was/ were)

11. Unless you invite her, she____ come. (would/ wouldn't/ won't)

12. She laughs at you if you____ angry. (got /would get/ get)

13. John can't pass exam unless he____ hard. (studies / studied/ would study)

14. If I were you, I____ to swim. (learn /would learn /would have learned)

15. If they study hard, they____ the exam. (pass /will pass/ would pass)