3 conditional

We can use the Third Conditional to talk about 'impossible' conditions, impossible because they are in the past and we cannot change what has happened.

• If I had worked harder at school, I would have got better grades.
• If I had had time, I would have gone to see him. But I didn't have time.
• If we had bought that house, we would have had to rebuild the kitchen.
• If we had caught the earlier train, we would have got there on time but we were late.

Notice that the main clause can contain 'would', 'could' or 'might.

• If I had seen him at the meeting, I would have asked him. (But he wasn't there so I didn't.)
• If I had seen him at the meeting, I could have asked him. ( But he wasn't there so it wasn't possible.)
• If I had seen him at the meeting, I might have asked him. (But I'm not sure. Perhaps if the opportunity had arisen.)
• If I had paid more attention in class, I would have understood the lesson.

Also notice that sometimes the 'if clause' is implied rather than spoken.

• I'd have done it. ("if you had asked me but you didn't.")
• I wouldn't have said that. ("if I'd been there.")
• He wouldn't have let him get away with that. ("if he had tried that with me.")

IF	condition	result
	past perfect	WOULD HAVE + past participle
If	I had seen Mary	I would have told her.
If	Tara had been free yesterday	I would have invited her.
If	they had not passed their exam	their teacher would have been sad.
If	it had rained yesterday	would you have stayed at home?
If	it had rained yesterday	what would you have done?

result	IF	condition
WOULD HAVE + past participle		past perfect
I would have told Mary	if	I had seen her.
I would have invited Tara	if	she had been free yesterday.
Their teacher would have been sad	if	they had not passed their exam.
Would you have stayed at home	if	it had rained yesterday?
What would you have done	if	it had rained yesterday?

2nd conditional

The Second Conditional is used to talk about 'impossible' situations.

• If we were in London today, we would be able to go to the concert in Hyde Park.
• If I had millions dollars, I'd give a lot to charity.
• If there were no hungry people in this world, it would be a much better place.
• If everyone had clean water to drink, there would be a lot less disease.

Note that after I / he/ she /it we often use the subjunctive form 'were' and not 'was'. (Some people think that 'were' is the only 'correct' form but other people think 'was' is equally 'correct' .)

• If she were happy in her job, she wouldn't be looking for another one.
• If I lived in Japan, I'd have sushi every day.
• If they were to enter our market, we'd have big problems.

Note the form 'If I were you' which is often used to give advice.

• If I were you, I'd look for a new place to live.
• If I were you, I'd go back to school and get more qualifications.

The Second Conditional is also used to talk about 'unlikely' situations.

• If I went to China, I'd visit the Great Wall.
• If I was the President, I'd reduce taxes.
• If you were in my position, you'd understand.

Note that the choice between the first and the second conditional is often a question of the speaker's attitude rather than of facts. Compare these examples. Otto thinks these things are possible, Peter doesn't.

• Otto – If I win the lottery, I'll buy a big house.
• Peter – If I won the lottery, I'd buy a big house.
• Otto – If I get promoted, I'll throw a big party.
• Peter – If I got promoted, I'd throw a big party.
• Otto – If my team win the Cup, I'll buy champagne for everybody.
• Peter – If my team won the Cup, I'd buy champagne for everybody.

Note that the 'If clause' can contain the past simple or the past continuous.

• If I was still working in Brighton, I would commute by train.
• If she were coming, she would be here by now.
• If they were thinking of selling, I would want to buy.

Note that the main clause can contain 'would' 'could' or 'might.

• If I had the chance to do it again, I would do it differently.
• If we met up for lunch, we could go to that new restaurant.
• If I spoke to him directly, I might be able to persuade him.

Also note that sometimes the 'if clause' is implied rather than spoken.

• What would I do without you? ("if you weren't here")
• Where would I get one at this time of night? ("if I wanted one")
• He wouldn't agree. ("if I asked him")

1 conditional

If clause	Main clause
If + Present tense	will / can / may / must + verb
If it rains today,	I'll stay at home

• If it rains today, I'll stay at home.
  Si llueve hoy, me quedaré en casa.
• If he is busy now, I will come back tomorrow.
  Si está ocupado ahora, regresaré mañana.
• If I have time, I'll visit my parents this afternoon.
  Si tengo tiempo, visitaré a mis padres esta tarde.
• If it is warm tomorrow, we'll go to the beach.
  Si está caluroso mañana, iremos a la playa.
• If it is cold, you must wear warm clothes.
  Si está frío, debes usar ropa abrigada.
• If he doesn't do his homework, he can not go to the party.
  Si él no hace su tarea, no puede ir a la fiesta.
• If she doesn't call you, you can call her.
  Si ella no te llama, tú puedes llamarla.
• If you work hard, you may become a millonaire someday.
  Si trabajas duro, puede que te conviertas en un millonario algún día.
• If you spend more than you earn, you'll become a poor man.
  Si gastas más de lo que ganas, te convertirás en un hombre pobre.
• If they don't invite you, you must not go.
  Si ellos no te invitan, no debes ir.
• If we don't hurry, we'll miss our bus.
  Si no nos apuramos, perderemos nuestro autobus.
• If you pay now, you'll get a discount.
  Si pagas ahora, obtendrás un descuento.
• If they don't want to go out, they can stay home.
  Si no quieren salir, se pueden quedar en casa.
• If you drink too much, you'll get drunk.
  Si bebes demasiado, te emborracharás.
• If you feel sick, you must stay in bed.
  Si te sientes enfermo, debes quedarte en cama.
• If they don't come here, we'll have to go there.
  Si ellos no vienen aquí, tendremos que ir allí.

Note! We never use will, or won't in the if part of the sentence.

For example:

• If I have time today, I will phone my friend. = I will phone my friend if I have time today. (It is possible that I will have time - therefore the condition is real).
• If I go to England, I will buy some Cheddar cheese. = I will buy some Cheddar cheese if I go to England. (It is possible that I will go to England - therefore the condition is real).

0 conditional

If clause	Main clause
If + Present tense	Present tense
If you freeze water	it turns into ice.

• If you freeze water, it turns into ice.
  Si congelas el agua, se convierte en hielo.
• If I work too much, I get tired. 
  Si trabajo demasiado, me canso.
• If I have time, I usually go to the movies.
  Si tengo tiempo, generalmente voy al cine.
• If she eats hamburgers, she gets an allergy.
  Si ella come hamburguesas, le da alergia.
• If they come here, they always bring a present.
  Si ellos vienen aquí, siempre traen un regalo.
• If she doesn't know the answer, she keeps silent.
  Si ella no sabe la respuesta, se mantiene en silencio.
• If we don't go out on Saturdays, we rent a video and stay home.
  Si no salimos los sábados, alquilamos un video y nos quedamos en casa.

IF	condition	result
	present simple	present simple
If	I miss the 8 o'clock bus	I am late for work.
If	I am late for work	my boss gets angry.
If	people don't eat	they get hungry.
If	you heat ice	does it melt?