If Clauses
There are three types of conditional
sentences. Each sentence has two
parts:
the if clause ( expresses the
condition ) and
the main clause (expresses the
result ).
If Clauses
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Type 1 - Probable Condition
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The verb in the if-clause is in the Present Simple; the
verb in the main clause is in the Future Tense.
e.g. If he works hard, he'll pass the examination.
or
He'll pass the examination if he works hard.
If you do not try, you will not win.
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If Clauses
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Unless can be used with the meaning of if not.
Ex: Unless you try, you will not win.
Note: The Present Continuous Tense and the
Present Perfect can also be used in the if-clause.
e.g. If he is working, I won't disturb him.
If you have all finished, I'll collect the papers
If Clauses
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Type 2 - Unlikely Condition
The verb in the if-clause is in the Simple Past Tense; the verb in
the main clause is in the Conditional Tense.
e.g. If he passed his A levels he would go to
University.
If I were you I'd study hard.
Note: The Past Continuous can also be used in the if-clause.
e.g. If he were/was teaching at the moment he
would be teaching an English class.
If Clauses
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Type 3 - Impossible Condition
The verb in the if-clause is in the Past Perfect Tense;
the verb in the main clause is in the Perfect
Conditional.
e.g. If they had been better students, they would
have had better results.
Note: The Past Perfect Continuous can also be used
in the if-clause.
e.g. If he had been listening, he would have heard
the result of the examination.
Exercises
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1. If I had a lot of money, I'd...
2. If I could go on holiday anywhere in the
world,...
3. If I saw an accident in the street,...
4. If it rains tomorrow,...
5. They would not have gone to Japan, if...
6. Unless they have tickets, they...
Exercises (Key)
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1. If I had a lot of money, I'd travel around the
world.
2. If I could go on holiday anywhere in the world, I
would go to a tropical island.
3. If I saw an accident in the street, I would call an
ambulance.
4. If it rains tomorrow, I won’t go for a walk.
5. They would not have gone to Japan, if they
hadn’t won the lottery.
6. Unless they have tickets, they won’t go to the
concert.
Exercises
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Supply the correct tense forms in the following
sentences:
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1. If Gino goes to Britain, he ____________ (visit)
the Houses of Parliament.
2. If Gino ____________ (enjoy) his visit, he will
return there some day.
3. Unless he ____________ (listen) carefully, he will
not understand them.
4. If Gino had a lot of money, he ____________
(visit) every country in the world.
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Exercises
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Supply the correct tense forms in the
following sentences:
5. If Gino ____________ (waste) his money,
his father would be very angry.
6. If the climate had been better, perhaps
more tourists ____________ (go) to Britain.
7. If he ____________ (visit) Britain before,
he would not have been so excited.
Exercises (Key)
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1. If Gino goes to Britain, he will visit the
Houses of Parliament.
2. If Gino enjoys his visit, he will return there
some day.
3. Unless he listens carefully, he will not
understand them.
4. If Gino had a lot of money, he would visit
every country in the world.
Exercises (Key)
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5. If Gino wasted his money, his father would
be very angry.
6. If the climate had been better, perhaps
more tourists would have gone to Britain.
7. If he had visited Britain before, he would
not have been so excited.
If Clauses (Rewrite)
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Type 1
Imperative
Unless < If
e.g. Stop talking, or you will have problems.
If you don’t stop talking, you will have
problems.
Unless you stop talking, you will have
problems.
If Clauses (Rewrite)
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You will have problems if you miss school.
Unless you miss school, you won’t have
problems.
I will go out in the evening unless I have a
test.
If I have a test, I won’t go out in the evening .
If Clauses (Rewrite)
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Type 2
2 sentences with the verb in the Present,
connected by: because, as, so, therefore and
that’s why.
e.g. I don’t go out because I am ill.
If I weren’t/wasn’t ill, I would go out.
As I am tired, I’m going to bed.
If I weren’t/wasn’t tired, I wouldn’t go to bed.
If Clauses (Rewrite)
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Type 3
2 sentences with the verb in the Past, connected
by: because, as, so, therefore and that’s why.
e.g. I didn't see the signal, so I didn't stop.
If I had seen the signal, I would have stopped.
We didn't visit the museum because we did haven't
time.
If we had had time, we would have visited the
museum.
Exercises
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3.
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5.
I didn't know your number, so I didn't ring.
If…
She didn't know you were in hospital, so she didn't visit you.
If…
Eat the soup, or you won’t watch TV.
If…
I’m going to bed because it’s too late.
If…
As the weather is fine, I’m going to the beach.
If…
Exercises (Key)
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5.
I didn't know your number, so I didn't ring.
If I had known the number, I would have rung.
She didn't know you were in hospital, so she didn't visit you.
If she had known you were in hospital, she would have
visited you.
Eat the soup, or you won’t watch TV.
If you eat the soup, you will watch TV.
If you don’t eat the soup, you won’t watch TV.
I’m going to bed because it’s too late.
If it wasn’t/weren’t too late, I wouldn’t go to bed.
As the weather is fine, I’m going to the beach.
If the weather wasn’t/weren’t fine, I wouldn’t go to the beach.