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There are 3 types of conditional sentences, each with their own forms.
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| 5.1 |
Conditional Sentence Type 0
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Used to talk about general truths, scientific facts, or things which always happen under certain conditions.
The form is as follow:
If + Simple present + Simple present
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| Examples |
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If you cross an international dateline, the time changes. (facts)
Phosphorus burns if you expose it to air. (facts)
If I wake up early, I go jogging. (actions that will happen)
**Note: You can also use when instead of if.
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| 5.2 |
Conditional Sentences Type 1
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Often called the "real" conditional because it is used for real or possible situations. These situations take place if a certain condition is met. It is possible and also very likely that the condition will be fulfilled.
The form is as follow:
If + Simple present + Simple future
| Examples |
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If I have enough time, I’ll watch the football game.
I may have time to watch the show but I’m not entirely sure about it.
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| 5.3 |
Conditional Sentence Type 2
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Often called the "unreal" conditional because it is used for unreal impossible or improbable situations. This conditional provides an imaginary result for a given situation. It is very unlikely that the condition will be fulfilled.
The form is as follow:
If + Simple past + would + base verb
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Were/was
In conditional type 2, we usually use were" instead of "was" in the if clause " even if the pronoun is I, he, she or it.
**Note: was is also a possible form.
| Examples |
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If I were a millionaire, I would buy a castle
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Conditional sentence type 2 also refers to an action in the present that could happen if the present situation were different.
| Examples |
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If I had a lot of money, I would travel around the world.
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| 5.4 |
Conditional Sentence Type 3
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It is impossible that the condition will be met because it refers to the past.
The form is as follow:
If + Past perfect + would + have + Past participle
| Examples |
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If he had been careful, he wouldn’t have had that accident.
(this event happened in the past as the driver was careless so the accident was had)
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