Type (1) Conditional (Real conditional)
If + subj. + V1/V5 + obj +, …. sub + will/can/must/may + V1 + ..…
If I have money, I will buy a car.
Variations:
| If–clause | Main clause |
|---|---|
| If + subj. + is/am/ are + V4 + Obj | Will/may/can + V1+ Obj. |
| If + subj. + V1/V5 | S + V1/ V5 + Obj. (Universal/habitual action) |
| If + subj. + should +V1 / V5 + Obj | Imperative (V1) + Obj. |
Examples:
John usually walks to school if he has enough time.
Please call me if you hear from Jane.
Type (2) conditional (Unreal conditional)
If + subj. + V2(were) +obj., subj. + would/could/might/should + V1 + obj.+
Example:
If he were there, he would tell you about it.
Variations:
Examples:
a. Were I rich, I would travel around the world.
b. If anyone showed off, he got furious.
c. Should he meet me, I would recognize him at once.
Type (3) (unfulfilled action in the past)
If + subj. + had +V3 + obj., subj. + would/could/might +have+V3+ obj. +.......
If we hadn't lost our way, we would have reached in time
Variations:
Examples:
a. But for landslide, the people wouldn't have died.
b. Had she found the right buyer, she would have sold the house.
c. The film would have flopped, but for the director's creativity
Things to Remember
a. Unless → If… not (negative condition)
b. 'If...should', 'if…happen to', 'if... should happen to' can be used in type one.
c. Providing that/in case/ supposing that can be used instead of 'if '.
Some related constructions
1. Subj. + verb (present) + as if / as though + subj. + (were) + obj. example
The old lady dresses as if it were winter even in the summer.
2. Subj. + verb (past) + as if / as though + subj. + had + V3 +…..
Variations:
| If–clause | Main clause |
|---|---|
| If + subj. + was/were/ + V4/to + V1 + Obj | S + would/ could/ might+ V1 + Obj. |
| Were + subj. + obj. +… | Sub. + would/ might/ could + V1 + Obj |
| should + subj + V1 + Obj | Sub. + would/ might/ could + V1 + Obj |
| If + Subj. + V2 + Obj. .... | Sub. + V2 + Obj. (Past Habit) |
Examples:
a. Were I rich, I would travel around the world.
b. If anyone showed off, he got furious.
c. Should he meet me, I would recognize him at once.
Type (3) (unfulfilled action in the past)
If + subj. + had +V3 + obj., subj. + would/could/might +have+V3+ obj. +.......
If we hadn't lost our way, we would have reached in time
Variations:
| If–clause | Main clause |
|---|---|
| If + subj./ + had been + obj. +.... | Subj. + would/ could/might + have+ V3+ obj. |
| But for + noun/pronoun Negative |
Subj. + would/could/might+ have+ V3 + Obj. |
| Had + subj. + V3 +……… | Subj. + would/could/might+ have+ V3 + Obj. |
Examples:
a. But for landslide, the people wouldn't have died.
b. Had she found the right buyer, she would have sold the house.
c. The film would have flopped, but for the director's creativity
Things to Remember
a. Unless → If… not (negative condition)
b. 'If...should', 'if…happen to', 'if... should happen to' can be used in type one.
c. Providing that/in case/ supposing that can be used instead of 'if '.
Some related constructions
1. Subj. + verb (present) + as if / as though + subj. + (were) + obj. example
The old lady dresses as if it were winter even in the summer.
2. Subj. + verb (past) + as if / as though + subj. + had + V3 +…..
John looked as if he had seen a ghost.
Note: These two structures are used to show unreal or contrary to the fact.
3. Sub. + wish (present) + (that)+ subj. + V2 (were) + obj.……
She wishes that she was coming with us.
4. Subj. + wish (past)+ (that) + subj. + had +V3/could have + V3 + Obj.
5. If only + Subj. + could / would + V1 + Obj. (wish)
If only he could buy a car.
6. If only + Subj. + had + V3 + Obj. + . . . (Regrets)
If only he had completed his task in time.
She wished she had had a nice car.
Note: future 'wish' can be expressed through could/would + V1
Note: These two structures are used to show unreal or contrary to the fact.
3. Sub. + wish (present) + (that)+ subj. + V2 (were) + obj.……
She wishes that she was coming with us.
4. Subj. + wish (past)+ (that) + subj. + had +V3/could have + V3 + Obj.
5. If only + Subj. + could / would + V1 + Obj. (wish)
If only he could buy a car.
6. If only + Subj. + had + V3 + Obj. + . . . (Regrets)
If only he had completed his task in time.
She wished she had had a nice car.
Note: future 'wish' can be expressed through could/would + V1
Also, Read our other Notes of English for Entrance Exams:
- Article
- Connectives
- Number
- Concord
- Tense Use
- Causative Verbs
- Conditional Sentence
- Voice
- Reported Speech
- Transformation
- Gerund / To-Infinitive
- Sentence Pattern
- Agreement & Disagreement
- Inversion
- Adjectives
- Embedded Question
- Illogical participle Modifiers
- Preposition
- Question Tag
- Pronouns
- Commonly Confused Words
- One Word Substitution
- Words of Comparision
- Specialists
- Phobias
- Killing & Killers
- Graphy Words