Conditionals First conditional

We use the first conditional when something now or in the future is a possible or probable consequence of something else. It is made up of two clauses, the if clause (if + present tense) and the main clause (future or modal verb).

POSITIVE If it rains, we’ll stay at home.

If the pound is strong, fewer people will visit England.

If you work hard, you might go to university.

The main clause can come before the if clause (without a comma) with no change of meaning. We’ll stay at home if it rains.

QUESTION What will you do if it rains?

If the pound is strong, what will happen?

Will you stay at home if it rains?

NEGATIVE If it does not rain, we’ll go out.

If it is fine, we won’t stay at home.

If it isn’t fine, we won’t go out.

We won’t stay at home if it doesn’t rain.

SHORT ANSWER Yes I will. No he won’t.

Second conditional

We use the second conditional for present or future possibilities which are unlikely to happen. The if clause (if + subjunctive) and the main clause (would or modal verb + infinitive) can be in either order. The subjunctive is exactly the same as the past simple except in the verb to be when it is always were.

POSITIVE If I were rich, I could start a company.

You would lose your money if the company failed.

QUESTION What would you do if you were rich?

If your company failed, would you lose all your money?

NEGATIVE I wouldn’t live here if I were rich.

If I weren’t poor, I wouldn’t live here.

SHORT ANSWER Yes I would. No he wouldn’t.

Third conditional

We use the third conditional about possibilities which did not happen in the past. The if clause (if + had + past participle) and the main clause (would have + past participle) can be in either order.

POSITIVE If you had been there, I would have seen you.

(You were not there – I did not see you)

He would have done it if he had had time.

(He did not do it – he did not have time)

QUESTION Would you have done it if I’d been there?

If you had seen him, what would you have done?

NEGATIVE I would not have done it if I had known.

(I did it – I didn’t know)

I would have done it if I had not seen you.

(I did not do it – I saw you)

I wouldn’t have done it if I had not seen you.

(I did it – I saw you)

SHORT ANSWER Yes I would. No he wouldn’t.

The conditional

Is it true? – I don’t know. But …	Is it true? – No, it’s not. But…
If he is an accountant … he works in this office. he worked on the books. he will work late tomorrow.	If he were an accountant… he would work in this office he would have worked on the books. he would work late tomorrow.
If he is working for this firm … he is getting a good salary. he gets insurance coverage. he will get a two week vacation.	If he were working for this firm … he would be getting a good salary. he would get insurance coverage. he would get a two week vacation.
If he has worked here a month … he is on the payroll now. he has been through the training program already. he will be eligible for sick pay soon.	If he had worked here a month … he would be on the payroll now. he would have been through the training program already. he would be eligible for sick pay soon.
If he worked late last night … he is probably very tired. he was the only one in the office. he will be able to leave early tonight.	If he had worked late last night… he would probably be very tired. he would have been the only one in the office. he would be able to leave early tonight.
If he works next Saturday … he is very industrious. he will be here all day.	If he were to work next Saturday … he would be very industrious. he would be here all day.

Exercise 14. Complete the following conditionals as shown in the examples below.

A. Example: Maybe they’ve already left. If so, they’ll get there on time.

If they’ve already left, they’ll get there on time.

Maybe they’ve already left. If not, they’ll miss their train.

If they haven’t left yet, they’ll miss their train.

1. Maybe the cafeteria is closed. If it is, I’ll have lunch at my desk.

If ________ .

2. Maybe Bill has gone out for the evening. If not, we can visit him later.

If ________ .

3. I often drive to work early; that way, I avoid the heavy traffic.

If ________ .

4. Perhaps he’s left the office already. If he hasn’t, he’won’t be home at six o’clock.

If ________ .

B. Example: The driver wasn’t careful. He had an accident.

But if the driver had been careful, he wouldn’t have had an accident.

The driver was careless. He had an accident.

But if the driver hadn’t been careless, he wouldn’t have had an accident.

1. The director isn’t in today, so you won’t see him at the meeting.

But if _________ .

2. Jim has had a lot of experience. It wasn’t difficult for him to find a job.

But if _________ .

3. Tomorrow’s a holiday, so we can stay up late tonight.

But if _________ .

4. Henry didn’t take the main road to work. He didn’t see the accident.

But if _________ .

Exercise 15. Complete the following conditionals.

1. I hope he offers me the job. If he does, I’ll accept it.

If ______ .

2. I didn’t buy the newspaper this morning; I haven’t read the article yet.

But if ______ .

3. We arrived at the movie theatre late. We missed the beginning of the film.

But if ______ .

4. I hope there’s some coffee left. If not, I’ll have to make some more.

If ______ .

5. Carl doesn’t have confidence in himself. He can’t be very successful.

But if ______ .

6. I think he’s had a car accident. If so, his insurance rates have been increased.

If ______ .

7. I hope our health plan covers my dental care. If it does, I’ll send the forms to my dentist.

If ______ .

8. I’m not planning to move before December; I haven’t contacted a real estate agent yet.

But if ______ .

9. You didn’t start the project on time. You’re still working on it now.

But if ______ .

10. I don’t know whether Brad is in his office. If he’s not, he’s probably out to lunch.

If ______ .

11. Maybe Fred had to work late last night. If he did, he won’t come to the party this evening.

If ______ .

12. Christmas won’t fall on a Sunday this year. We won’t have the following Monday off.

But if ______ .

Exercise 16. Rewrite the following using “in case”.

Example: We are forwarding our illustrated catalogue lest you should prefer a different model.

We are forwarding our illustrated catalogue in case you should prefer a different model.

1. We should like to receive samples of your complete range lest any of our customers ask about your other lines.

2. We would remind you that we are the biggest wholesalers in Portugal lest you think that we are not capable of handling your products.

3. Lest you should be thinking of cancelling the order, we would point out that this is the finest machine of its type in the world and that you will be amply compensated by waiting another month.

4. We would ask you to let us know your requirements as soon as possible lest we run out of stock of the popular lines.

5. We think we should order another two tons for immediate shipment lest the first consignment is held up too long by the dock strike.