Conditional Sentences (If Sentences)

Conditional sentences are also called if sentences that express different kinds of conditions. It incorporates two parts, i.e. and . These sentences can be categorized into three types.

Conditional Sentences (Type-1. Probable)

In this type of sentences, both clauses' conditions are probable or true. Generally, if clause is in present tense and the main clause is in the future tense. This is the basic form of the conditional sentence.

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• If it rains, I shall sleep. (If clause + Main clause)

• I shall sleep if it rains. (Main clause + Main clause) 

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Other forms can be found under this type-1:

If+simple present tense for universal truths/facts/habitual actions

• If you boil water, it turns into steam.

• If I have time, I usually go school on foot.

• If there is a shortage of any foo, prices of that product go up.

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 Taal

If + sub + simple present + ………, sub + will/shall/can/may + v1 + …

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

• If he works hard, he can pass his exam.

If+sub+present perfect.................., sub+present tense/future tense.

• If you have completed you task, you can take a rest.

• If it has stopped ranining, I will go outside.

If+present+may/might/can (permission or ability or possibility)

• If you have finished the task, you may/can go.

If+present continuous/ If+present perfect, simple future

• If you are looking for Hari, you will find him outside.

• If she has written the letter, I'll post it.

Conditional Sentences (Type-2. Hypothetical but Possible)

If + sub + v2 + …..., sub + would/should/could/might + v1 + …….

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

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

Note: We cannot use 'was' with any pronoun/noun as a subject

• If I were a bird, I would fly in the sky. Or Had I time, I would go there.

• If she were mine, I would be the happiest man in the world.

Variations of the "If Clause"

If+simple past, S+would/might/should/could+be+v-ing....

• If I were on holiday, I would be writing articles.

• If she had a lot of money, she would be helping the Covid19 affected people.

If+simple past, simple past (To express automatic or habitual reactions/actions in the past.

• If anyone interrupted him, he got angry.

If+past continuous: S+would/should/could/might+infinitive

• If I were earning a lot, I would help you. 

Conditional Sentences (Type-3. Hypothetical but Impossible)

If+past perfect tense+perfect conditional (S+would/should/might/+have+V3...)

• If you had called him, he would have arrived.

• If he had tried, he would have won the prize.

Variations of the "If Clause" Type-3

If+past perfect continuous, S+would/could/should/might+have+V3+..

• If she had been wearing a seat belt, she would not have been seriously injuired.

Note: Unless-If..............not

• Unless she invites me, I won't go there.

As if/as though indicates unreal things/contrary to fact.

S+V (present)+as if/as though+S+V (past)

• e.g. She looks as if she were a model.

S+V (past)+as if/as though+S+past perfect.

• e.g. He talked as though he had been a teacher.

With structures

I wish/If only+S+would+infinitive+... (Things you want to happen, but don't think they will happen)

• I wish a teacher would come here.

I wish/If only+S+could+infitinitive (To expect things different from they are now.)

• I wish I had a car. (But I don't have now.)

Regret Structures

• I wish/If only+past perfect+..........or S+should (not)+have+V3............

• I wish I had completed  my homework yesterday.

• She wishes she had been in Kathmandu.

• He should have been there.

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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. They can't pass exam unless they………hard. (study, 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)