Conditionals

📘 Chapter 14: Conditionals (If-

Sentences) – Full Detailed
Explanation

🔰 What are Conditionals?

Conditionals are "if" sentences used to describe a condition (a situation)
and its result. The sentence has two parts:

1. The "if" clause – the condition (when, unless, as long as...)

2. The main clause – the result or consequence

🧠 Example:
If I study, I will pass.
(Condition) (Result)

🔄 Why are Conditionals Important?

We use them:

 To talk about facts or scientific truths

 To describe possible or impossible situations
 To express dreams, regrets, or warnings
 To give advice or instructions
🔢 There are FOUR MAIN TYPES of conditional
sentences:

✅ 1. ZERO CONDITIONAL
🔹 Used for: Facts, universal truths, habits, rules

This conditional talks about things that are always true or scientific facts.

🧩 Structure:

If + Present Simple, Present Simple

✏️Examples:

 If you heat water to 100°C, it boils.

 If I drink too much coffee, I can’t sleep.
 If it rains, the ground gets wet.

🧠 Explanation:

In zero conditional, both the condition and the result are in the present
tense.
They happen every time the condition is met.

✅ 2. FIRST CONDITIONAL
🔹 Used for: Real or possible future situations

We use this when we think the condition is likely to happen in the future.

🧩 Structure:

If + Present Simple, Will + Base Verb

✏️Examples:

 If I study, I will pass the exam.

 If it rains, we will stay at home.
  If she calls, I will answer the phone.

🧠 Explanation:

The condition is in the present, but the result happens in the future.
You're talking about something possible.

✅ 3. SECOND CONDITIONAL
🔹 Used for: Unreal or imaginary present/future situations

This conditional talks about imaginary, unlikely, or hypothetical

situations in the present or future.

🧩 Structure:

If + Past Simple, Would + Base Verb

✏️Examples:

 If I were rich, I would buy a Ferrari.

 If I had wings, I would fly.
 If she knew his number, she would call him.

🧠 Important Notes:

 Use “were” instead of “was” for all subjects (formal grammar):

✔️If I were you, I would study more.
❌ If I was you…
 This is used for giving advice, imagining different lives, or unreal
events.

✅ 4. THIRD CONDITIONAL
🔹 Used for: Unreal past situations (regrets, missed
opportunities)

We use this to talk about things that did not happen in the past, but we
imagine what could have happened.
🧩 Structure:

If + Past Perfect, Would Have + Past Participle

✏️Examples:

 If I had studied, I would have passed the test.

 If we had left earlier, we would have caught the bus.
 If she had told me, I would have helped her.

🧠 Explanation:

The condition is in the past perfect, and the result is something that didn't
happen.
It’s useful for expressing regret.

🔄 MIXED CONDITIONALS
Used when the time of the condition and the result are different (e.g.,
past → present)

🧩 Example:

 If I had studied medicine, I would be a doctor now.

(Condition in the past → Result in the present)

🔁 Special Case: UNLESS

"Unless" means "if not"

✏️Examples:

 Unless you hurry, you’ll miss the train.

= If you don’t hurry, you’ll miss the train.
 I won’t go unless he invites me.
= I’ll go only if he invites me.

❌ Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them:

 ❌ Incorrect ✅ Correct Why?
If I will see him, I If I see him, I will
❌ Never use “will” in the if clause
will ask. ask.
If I was you, I would If I were you, I ❌ “Were” is used for all subjects in
stop. would stop. 2nd conditional
If I studied, I will If I study, I will
❌ Mixed tense is wrong here
pass. pass.

📊 SUMMARY TABLE – ALL CONDITIONALS

Condition (If-
Type Result Usage
Clause)
If + present
Zero Present simple Facts, habits, universal truths
simple
If + present
First Will + base verb Real future situations
simple
Secon Imaginary/unreal
If + past simple Would + base verb
d present/future
Would have + past
Third If + past perfect Unreal past, regrets
participle
Unreal past condition →
Mixed If + past perfect Would + base verb
present result

🎯 Chapter: Exceptions in Conditional

Sentences (Advanced Guide)
These exceptions go beyond basic rules — they show how native speakers use conditionals more
naturally or formally in special situations.
🔸 1. Using Modal Verbs in Conditional Sentences
Normally, we use “will” in the main clause, but sometimes we use modal verbs like:

 can, could, may, might, shall, should, must

🔹 Structure:

If + subject + verb, subject + modal + base verb

🧾 Examples:

 If you can come early, we’ll finish sooner.

 If she should call, tell her I’m busy. (formal/polite)
 If you must go, I understand.
 If he may leave early, let him know in advance.
 If I could fly, I would visit Nepal every week.

✅ Why it's an exception:

These modal verbs replace or support "will" in more precise or polite situations.

🔸 2. Using “Will” in the If-Clause (for Volition, Willingness,

or Refusal)
Normally, we avoid “will” in the if-clause. But when "will" shows willingness, refusal, or
persistence, it’s correct.

🧾 Examples:

 If you will wait a moment, I’ll bring the manager. (willingness)

 If he won’t listen, don’t waste your time. (refusal)
 If she will keep calling me, I’ll block her. (annoyance or insistence)

✅ Why it's an exception:

"Will" here does not show the future, but intention, refusal, or habitual behavior.

🔸 3. Inversion in Conditionals (Formal English – No 'If')

In very formal writing, we invert the verb and remove “if” for elegance and variation.
🧩 Rules & Examples:

A. Third Conditional:

If he had arrived earlier →

✅ Had he arrived earlier, he would have caught the train.

B. Second Conditional:

If she were taller →

✅ Were she taller, she would be a model.

C. First Conditional (with "should"):

If you should need help →

✅ Should you need help, call me.

✅ Why it's an exception:

The word “if” is omitted, and the order is reversed for formality.

🔸 4. "Were to" for Imaginary/Future Hypothetical

Situations
“Were to” adds a theoretical or dramatic tone to second conditionals.

🧾 Examples:

 If I were to win the lottery, I’d donate half to charity.

 If he were to propose, I might say yes.
 If the plane were to crash, no one would survive. 😬

✅ Why it's an exception:

"Were to + base verb" replaces the normal past tense for a more distant/imaginary feel.

🔸 5. “Even if” Instead of “If”

“Even if” means regardless of the condition — the result still happens.

🧾 Examples:
  Even if it rains, we’ll go on the hike.
 Even if I studied all night, I wouldn’t pass the exam.
 I’d help you, even if you never thanked me.

✅ Why it's an exception:

It adds emphasis — the result is unaffected by the condition.

🔸 6. “Unless” Instead of “If…not”

“Unless” means “if not” and is used instead of negative if-clauses.

🧾 Examples:

 Unless you hurry, you’ll miss the bus.

(= If you don’t hurry…)
 I won’t go unless you come with me.
(= I will go only if you come.)

✅ Why it's an exception:

"Unless" replaces a negative if-clause, but never means the same as "if" by itself.

🔸 7. Using “Suppose”, “Supposing”, “Imagine” Instead of

“If”
These are used in hypothetical questions or ideas — common in speaking.

🧾 Examples:

 Suppose you were invisible for a day — what would you do?
 Imagine you lost your phone — how would you feel?
 Supposing she calls — what will you say?

✅ Why it's an exception:

These expressions replace "if" in creative or theoretical conditions.

🔸 8. Mixed Conditionals (Time Shift Exceptions)

Sometimes the if-clause and main clause refer to different time periods (past vs. present or
future).

🧩 Example A: Past → Present

 If I had studied medicine, I would be a doctor now.

(= I didn’t study → now I’m not a doctor)

🧩 Example B: Present → Past

 If she were smarter, she would have passed the test.

(= She's not smart → She failed)

✅ Why it's an exception:

Normally, both parts of a conditional sentence are in the same tense, but here, we mix tenses.

🔸 9. Omitting “If” in Informal Speech (Fragment Sentences)

In everyday spoken English, people sometimes drop “if” or shorten the sentence.

🧾 Examples:

 “I'd go, but busy.” (= If I had time, I’d go)

 “Wouldn’t have done it without you.” (= I wouldn’t have done it if you weren’t there)

✅ Why it's an exception:

Used in spoken/informal English, but should be avoided in writing.

🔸 10. Should / Were / Had as Conditional Starters (Formal

Replacements)
We can start conditional sentences with:

 Should + subject + base verb

 Were + subject + verb
 Had + subject + past participle

🧾 Examples:

 Should he arrive late, the meeting will start without him.

  Were I you, I would leave now.
 Had we known, we would have prepared better.

✅ Used to sound more elegant or business-like in writing or speech.

🔸 11. “If only” – To Express Regrets (Special Use of

Conditionals)
Used to express strong wish or regret.

🧾 Examples:

 If only I had studied harder! (past regret)

 If only she were here now. (wish in present)
 If only it would stop raining. (wish for future)

✅ Why it's an exception:

"If only" is not followed by a result — it's just an emotional expression.

📌 Final Tips:
✅ Correct ❌ Wrong Reason

If she will call, I’ll No “will” in the if-clause unless

If she calls, I’ll help.
help. showing willingness

Were he here, he If he were here, he Both are correct, second one is

would help. would help. normal

Suppose you were Both fine – “Suppose” adds

If you were rich…
rich… imagination

Unless it rains, we’ll If it doesn’t rain,

Same meaning, different wording
go. we’ll go.

“If only” expresses emotion; don’t

If only I had gone! If I had gone only!
change order
Or

1. present indefinater tens = present indefinite/ future infinite

If + Present Indefinite → Next sentence:

Present Indefinite or Future Indefinite?

1. If + Present Indefinite → Future Indefinite

(For possible future result)

1. If it rains, I will stay home.

2. If you finish your work, we will go out.
3. If she calls, I will answer.
4. If they come early, we will start the meeting.
5. If he studies, he will pass the exam.
2. If + Present Indefinite → Present Indefinite
(For general truths or habits)

6. If you heat ice, it melts.

7. If the sun rises, it gets bright.
8. If water reaches 100 degrees Celsius, it boils.
9. If you press this button, the machine starts.
10. If it snows, the temperature drops.

If + Past Indefinite → Next sentence:

would/model verbs .

🔹 Rule:
 When the if-clause is in Past Indefinite (simple past),
 The main clause usually has would + verb (or other modal verbs like could, might,
should).
 This is called the Second Conditional, used for unreal or hypothetical situations in the
present or future.

🔹 Examples:
 Main Clause (Would / Meanin
If-Clause (Past Indefinite)
Modal) g

If I had more time, I would travel Hypothetical situation

more. now/future

🔹 10 Examples
1. If I won the lottery, I would buy a big house.
2. If she studied harder, she would pass the exam.
3. If they came earlier, we would start the meeting on time.
4. If he knew her phone number, he would call her.
5. If you told me the truth, I would forgive you.
6. If it rained tomorrow, we would cancel the picnic.
7. If I were you, I would not do that.
8. If we had a car, we could travel anywhere.
9. If she asked for help, I might assist her.
10. If they left earlier, they should arrive on time.

Summary:
If-Clause Main Clause Use Case

Past Would / Could / Might + Unreal or hypothetical present/future

Indefinite Verb situations

If you want examples with explanations in Nepali, I’m happy to provide!

You said:
i dond see any example of would

ChatGPT said:

Thanks for pointing that out, Ashish! Actually, all the examples I gave do contain "would" in the
main clause. Let me highlight the "would" part clearly and give you a few more with just would
to be extra clear.
Examples of If + Past Indefinite → would + verb

1. If I won the lottery, I would buy a big house.

2. If she studied harder, she would pass the exam.
3. If they came earlier, we would start the meeting on time.
4. If he knew her phone number, he would call her.
5. If you told me the truth, I would forgive you.
6. If it rained tomorrow, we would cancel the picnic.
7. If I were you, I would not do that.
8. If we had a car, we would travel anywhere.
9. If she asked for help, I would assist her.
10. If they left earlier, they would arrive on time.

If + Past perfect → Next sentence: would

have + main verb 3.
🔹 Rule:
 When the if-clause is in Past Perfect tense,
 The main clause uses would have + past participle.
 This is called the Third Conditional, used for unreal situations in the past (things that
didn’t happen).

🔹 Examples:
Main Clause (Would have + past
If-Clause (Past Perfect) Meaning
participle)
If I had studied harder, I would have passed
But I didn’t study hard, so I failed.
the exam.

🔹 3 Examples:
1. If she had left earlier, she would have caught the train.
2. If they had invited me, I would have gone to the party.
3. If we had known about the problem, we would have helped you.