Grammar lesson 5 conditionals

Conditionals In a conditional sentence, there is a “condition clause” (called if clause) and a “result clause”. Depending on the tense the “if clause” is expressed, the result clause may express some real or unreal situation.

Study the 3 basic types of conditionals below.

Type 1 If + subject + present tense + (future word), subject + will/might/can + verb + (future word)

If the Congress approves the bill tomorrow, we will have a dinner party tomorrow night.

Type 1 if sentence pattern refers to future possibilities. It is important to include a future time word or expression at the end of each sentence or clause.

Type 2 If + subject + past tense + (now), subject + would/could + verb + (now).

If I we had a different Congress, economy wouldn´t be an issue now.

Present wishes and the "type 2 if" sentence pattern refers to present unrealities. It is important to include the time word "now" at the end of each sentence or clause.

Although these patterns refer to the present moment, they take the past form.

Type 3 - case 1 If + subject + past perfect tense (had + p.p.) + (past word), subject + would/could + verb + now).

If we hadn't agreed on taxes (last year), we wouldn't have so many problems (now).

Type 3 - case 2 If + subject + past perfect tense (had + p.p.) + (past word), subject + would/could + have + p.p. (past word).

If we had complained about government’s corruption (last year), some politics would have returned the stolen money (last year).

Past wishes and the "type 3 if" sentence patterns usually refer to past unrealities.