Type 1 Conditional (Open Condition)

Conditional Sentences are also known as Conditional Clauses or If Clauses.
They are
used to express that the action in the main clause (without if) can only take place if a
certain condition (in the clause with if) is fulfilled. There are three different types of
conditional sentences in English. Each expresses a different degree of probability that
a situation will occur or would have occurred under certain circumstances.
1. Type 1 conditional (open condition)

The type 1 conditional is used to refer to the present or future where the situation is
real - which the outcome is likely (but not guaranteed) to happen in the future. These
sentences are based on facts, and they are used to make statements about the real
world and particular situations. We often use such sentences to give warnings. The
type 1 conditional refers to a possible condition and its probable result, it makes
predictions, or express future intentions or possibilities. In these sentences the if
clause is in the simple present, and the main clause is in the simple future.
Structure: If + Present Simple, will/ modal + verb
Example: If the weather improves, we will go for a walk.

(It is possible or likely that the weather will improve)
In type 1 conditional sentences, you can also use modals (can, may) in the main
clause instead of the future tense to express the degree of certainty, permission, or a
recommendation about the outcome.
Examples:
- If the flight’s late, we may miss our connection.
(it’s possible or likely that the flight will be late)
- I can come and give a hand if you need help moving your stuff.
(it is possible or likely that you will need help)
2. Type 2 conditional (half-open condition)

The type 2 conditional is used to refer to a time that is now or any time, and an unreal
situation. These sentences are not based on facts. In type 2 conditional sentences, the
if clause uses the simple past, and the main clause uses the present conditional.
Structure: If + Past Simple, would/ modal + verb
Example: If the weather improved, we could go for a walk.

(It is not likely that the weather will improve.)
The type 2 conditional refers to an unlikely or hypothetical condition and its probable
result. These sentences are not based on the actual situation. In type 2 conditional
sentences, the time is now or any time and the situation is hypothetical.
Examples:
- If there were more buses, we would leave the car at home.
(it is unlikely that there will be more buses)
- If the weather wasn't so bad, we would go to the park.
(But the weather is bad so we can't go.)
- If I knew where she lived, I would go and see her.
(But I don't know where she lives)
In this type of conditional sentences, it is correct and very common to say "if I were"
instead of "if I was" (subjunctive mood). And the phrases "If I were you" or "If I were
in your place" are usually used to give advice.
Examples:
- If I were taller, I would buy this dress.
- If I were 20, I would travel the world.
- If I were you, I would give up smoking.
- If he were in your place, he would do it.
In type 2 conditional sentences, you can also use modals (could, might) in the main
clause instead of "would" to express the degree of certainty, permission, or a
recommendation about the outcome.
Examples:
- We might buy a larger house if we had more money
- He could go to the concert if you gave him your ticket.
- If he called me, I couldn't hear.
3. Type 3 conditional (closed condition)

The type 3 conditional is used to refer to a time that is in the past, and a situation that
is contrary to reality. The facts they are based on are the opposite of what is
expressed. The type 3 conditional is used to refer to an unreal past condition and its
probable past result. In type 3 conditional sentences, the if clause uses the past
perfect, and the main clause uses the perfect conditional.
Structure: If + Past Perfect, would/ modal + have + past participle.
Examples: If the weather had improved, we could have gone for a walk.
(The weather did not improve – fine weather is, therefore, an impossible condition.)
The type 3 conditional refers to an impossible condition in the past and its probable
result in the past. These sentences are truly hypothetical and unreal because it is now
too late for the condition or its result to exist. There is always some implication of
regret with type 3 conditional sentences. The reality is the opposite of, or contrary to,
what the sentence expresses. In type 3 conditional sentences, the time is the past and
the situation is hypothetical.
Examples:
- If I had worked harder I would have passed the exam.
(But I didn't work hard, and I didn't pass the exam.)
- If I had known you were coming I would have baked a cake.
(But I didn't know and I didn't bake a cake.)
- I would have been happy if you had called me on my birthday.
(But you didn't call me and I am not happy.)
In type 3 conditional sentences, you can also use modals in the main clause instead of
"would" to express the degree of certainty, permission, or a recommendation about
the outcome.
Examples:
- If I had played better, I could have won.
(I didn’t play well and I didn’t win.)
- It could have been easier if Nam had brought his car.
(Nam didn’t bring his car, so the situation was difficult.)
- If the dog hadn’t barked, we might not have known there was someone in the
garden.
(The dog barked, so we knew there was someone in the garden.)
NOTES:
The Zero Conditionals (real condition)
The zero conditional is used for when the time being referred to is now or always and
the situation is real and possible. This type of conditional sentence is used to describe
scientific facts, generally known truths, events, and other things that are always true.
The tense in both parts of the sentence is the simple present.
Examples:
-If it rains, the grass gets wet. (This is always true — the rain makes the grass wet)
-If you don’t brush your teeth, you get cavities. (This is a scientific fact)
In zero conditional sentences, the word "if" can usually be replaced by the word
"when" without changing the meaning.
Examples:
- When people smoke cigarettes, their health suffers.
- It gets dark when the sun goes down.
There are a couple of things to take note of in the above sentences in which the zero
conditional is used. First, when using the zero conditional, the correct tense to use in
both clauses is the simple present tense. A common mistake is to use the simple future
tense.
Secondly, the words if and when can be used interchangeably in these zero
conditional sentences. This is because the outcome will always be the same, so it
doesn’t matter “if” or “when” it happens.
Mixed conditionals
Often, things that did or did not happen in the past have results that continue or are
still important in the present. We can emphasize this by using if with a past perfect
verb, and would in the main clause.
Examples:
- If I hadn’t met Charles, I wouldn’t be here now.
(I met Charles so I’m here now.)
- She wouldn’t still be working for us if we hadn’t given her a pay-rise.
(We gave her a pay-rise so she is still working for us now.)
The words will and would are not usually used in the if part, except when they
express willingness, for example, in requests (that is, when they carry a modal
meaning), or to refer to later results:
Examples:
- If you will phone the manager now, he will surely make an appointment with you.
(willingness)
- I would be very thankful if you would help me with my homework. (very polite
request)
- If it really would save the planet, I’d stop using my car tomorrow. (If it is true that
the planet would be saved as a result, I would stop using my car, but I doubt it is true.)
The word should in the if part can mean “if perhaps” or “by any chance.”
Example: I would be very happy if he should turn up at the party.
(He’s not at all likely to come, but perhaps…)
In negative sentences, if…not can be substituted with unless.

Example: You won’t pass the exam unless you study very hard.
(= if you don’t study very hard)
If can be omitted from the sentence if the word order is changed. This is sometimes
done in Type Three conditional sentences if the if part is at the beginning of the
sentence, or in Type Two conditional if the verb were, is used:
Examples:
- Were I rich, I would buy a house by the sea. (= if I were rich)
- Had your cousin come earlier, I would have shown her around the house. (= if she
had come earlier)

Type 1 Conditional (Open Condition)

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Conditional Sentences are also known as Conditional Clauses or If Clauses.

1. Type 1 conditional (open condition)

Structure: If + Present Simple, will/ modal + verb

Example: If the weather improves, we will go for a walk.

2. Type 2 conditional (half-open condition)

Structure: If + Past Simple, would/ modal + verb

Example: If the weather improved, we could go for a walk.

3. Type 3 conditional (closed condition)

Structure: If + Past Perfect, would/ modal + have + past participle.

In negative sentences, if…not can be substituted with unless.

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