There are four main types of 'if' sentences in English:
1. The 'zero' conditional, where the tense in both parts of the sentence is the simple present:
| 'IF' CLAUSE | MAIN CLAUSE |
| If + simple presentIf you heat ice If it rains | simple presentit melts. you get wet |
In these sentences, the time is now or always and the situation is real and possible. They are often used to refer to general truths.
2. The Type 1 conditional, where the tense in the 'if clause is the simple present, and the tense in the main clause is the simple future
| 'IF' CLAUSE | MAIN CLAUSE |
| If + simple presentIf it rains If you don't hurry | Simple futureyou will get wet we will miss the train. |
In these sentences, the time is the present or future and the situation is real. They refer to a possible condition and its probable result.
3. The Type 2 conditional, where the tense in the 'if' clause is the simple past, and the tense in the main clause is the present conditional:
| 'IF' CLAUSE | MAIN CLAUSE |
| If + simple pastIf it rained | Present conditionalyou would get wet |
4. The Type 3 conditional, where the tense in the 'if' clause is the past perfect, and the tense in the main clause is the perfect conditional:
| 'IF' CLAUSE | MAIN CLAUSE |
| If + past perfectIf it had rained If you had worked harder | Perfect conditionalyou would have got wet you would have passed the exam. |
A further type of 'if' sentence exists, where Type 2 and Type 3 are mixed. The tense in the 'if' clause is the past perfect, and the tense in the main clause is the present conditional:
| 'IF' CLAUSE | MAIN CLAUSE |
| If + past perfectIf I had worked harder at school If we had looked at the map | Present conditionalI would have a better job now. we wouldn't be lost. |
TYPE 2 CONDITIONAL SENTENCES
| 'IF' CLAUSE | MAIN CLAUSE |
| If + simple pastIf it rained If you went to bed earlier | Present conditionalyou would get wet you wouldn't be so tired. |
In these sentences, the time is now or any time, and the situation is unreal. They are not based on fact, and they refer to an unlikely or hypothetical condition and its probable result. The use of the past tense after 'if' indicates unreality. We can nearly always add a phrase starting with "but" that expresses the real situation.
§ If the weather wasn't so bad, we would go to the park (... but it is bad, so we can't go)
§ If I was the Queen of England, I would give everyone £100. (... but I'm not, so I won't)
Examples of use:
1. To make a statement about something that is not real at present, but is possible:
I would visit her if I had time. (= I haven't got time but I might have some time)
2. To make a statement about a situation that is not real now and never could be real:
If I were you, I'd give up smoking (but I could never be you)
Examples:
a. If I was a plant, I would love the rain.
b. If you really loved me, you would buy me a diamond ring.
c. If I knew where she lived, I would go and see her.
d. You wouldn't need to read this if you understood English grammar.
e. Would he go to the concert if I gave him a ticket?
f. They wouldn't invite her if they didn't like her
g. We would be able to buy a larger house if we had more money
NOTE: It is correct, and very common, to say "If I were " instead of "If I was ".
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