CONDITIONAL CLAUSES - 1

CONDITIONAL CLAUSES

There are basically three types of conditional clauses:

TYPE 1

Probable Situations

If clause + Main clause

simple present will / shall

eg. If we purchase a new computer, we will be able to process 500 more applications per month.

TYPE 2

Improbable or Imaginary Situations

If clause + Main clause

simple past would/ should / could

eg. I think the committee would approve our proposal if we could shorten the time for the phase 1 redevelopment plan.

TYPE 3

Past Possibilities

If clause + Main clause

past perfect would/should/could + have +

past participle

eg. We would have completed the project by now if there had

not been a delay.

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Conditionals: Three common patterns

Conditionals
Three common patterns

When learning English, it is common to discuss about the First, Second, and
Third Conditionals:

1. I'll buy you a coffee, if you borrow me your notes.
2. If we come today, we'd get the free gifts.
3. If you'd saved your words file, you wouldn't have lost all your words documents when your computer hanged.

Other patterns
The motive we have a discussion about those three is because they are the most common patterns, but there are many additional patterns in sentences with if;

1. It is common to use modals in conditionals:
If only you'd asked me, I would have lent you the book!
If you must make noise, do it outside, please.
If you want my point of view, I'd sell the motorbike and buy something more valuable.

2. Some conditionals use the present simple in both parts:
If the order comes in today, we get a bonus.
If it rains, the water comes in through the top.


3. You use the past simple in both parts to discuss about something that commonly happened in the past.
If it was sunny, we went down to the seaside with a picnic.
If it rained we stayed indoors and played poker cards.

A good rule
A good 'rule' is to avoid using would in the if-clause. This is almost always true.


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