At if clauses in English are the conditional clauses used in various situations and are always accompanied by the term If (if).
They are used to talk about future plans, situations likely or unlikely to happen, or even choices that were made in the past.
Classification
At if clauses are formed by two sentences: a if clause (conditional prayer) and the main clause (Main prayer). That is, a subordinate clause and a main clause.
They are classified in four ways:
Zero Conditional
It indicates true facts that occur frequently, and it is used to give orders. Your training is:
if + simple present + simple present
Examples:
If I study a lot, I get tired. (If I study hard, I get tired)
If you need help, talk to the teacher. (If you need help, talk to the teacher)
Indicates likely future possibilities or actions. Its structure is:
If + simple present + simple future + infinitive
Examples:
If you buy one of these books now, I can get a good price for you. (If you buy one of these books now, I can get you a good price).
If I go to London, I can buy an English guidebook. (If I go to London I can buy an English guide)
Indicates situations that are unlikely or that may even be unrealistic in the future. Its structure is:
If+ simple past + would, could, might, should + infinitive (without to)
Examples:
If I had lots of money, I could buy a big house. (If I had a lot of money, I could buy a big house).
If I lived in Brazil, I would be happy. (If I lived in Brazil, I would be happy)
It indicates something that did not occur in the past and, therefore, it often expresses regret. Your training is:
if + past perfect + would have, could have, might have + past participle
Examples:
If we had saved some money, we would have bought a new car. (If we had saved money, we would have bought a new car)
If she had come on saturday, I would have seen her. (If she had come on Saturday, she would have seen her)
Read too:
- Conditional sentences
- English tenses
- Should
- could
- would
- Reported speech exercises
- The 10 most used conjunctions in English
Exercises
1. (Mackenzie-SP) Complete with the correct verb tense:
I) If I _____ it, I would visit you
II) If she is sad, ______ her a story
III) If you lit the room, we _____ better
IV) If you ____ angry, don’t shout at me
a) knows - tells - would see - is
b) knew – tell – would see – are
c) knew - told - is seeing - were
d) know - tells - will see - is
e) know - told - would see - am
Alternative b) knew – tell – would see – are
2. (PUCCAMP-SP) Which of the following sentences is correct?
a) If I had a lot of money, I would drink champagne with you every meal.
b) If I had a lot of money, I will drink champagne with you every meal.
c) If I had a lot of money, I drink champagne with you every meal.
d) If I had a lot of money, I would drink champagne with you every meal.
e) If I had a lot of money, I would drink champagne with you every meal.
Alternative a) If I had a lot of money, I would drink champagne with you every meal.
3. (UEL-PR) Choose the correct alternative:
“If you don’t go, ______ very angry”
a) Ill be
b) I am
c) I have been
d) I was
e) I feel
Alternative a) I’ll be
4. (UEL-PR) Choose the correct alternative:
"What would you do ____ you won 20,000 dollar?"
"I would ______ go away for some time to decide what to do with such a lot of money"
a) unless - before
b) then - after
c) but - last
d) only - during
e) if - first
Alternative e) if – first
5. (PUC-PR) Fill in the blanks with the correct verb form.
If I won a lottery I ________ around the world.
a) traveled
b) will travel
c) would travel
d) am traveling
e) travel
Alternative c) would travel
