If clausesthey are conditional sentences in the English language. Its basic structure is: If + verb + modal verb. They can deal with imagined and probable future situations (first conditional), with present or future situations that could be different (second conditional), with past situations about which we imagine different results (third conditional) and situations that have occurred or have a high chance of occurring (conditional zero).
Read too:Linking words — words used to connect other words or phrases
Topics in this article
- 1 - Formation of if clauses
-
2 - What are the types of if clauses?
- → First conditional: imagined conditions
- → Second conditional: imagined conditions
- → Third conditional: imagined conditions
- → Conditional zero: real situation
- 3 - Solved exercises on if clauses
Training of if clauses
To the if clauses are formed by particle if + verb + modal verb. Depending on each if clause, different types of verbs and modal verbs are used.
As we will see below, the verb can be in simple present
, at the simple past, at the past perfect, at the present simple, at the present continuous and in past simple. The modal verb can be with a future meaning, with a meaning of the future of the past tense, in the present simple, at the present continuous, at the past simple and in past continuous.What are the types of if clauses?
→ First conditional: imagined conditions
Used to talk about the outcome of an imagined future situation, when we believe that it is quite likely.
Training:
If + simple present + modal verb with future meaning (shall / should / will / would / can / could / may / might)
If he talks about it, you should ignore him.
If he brings it up, you should ignore him.
→ Second conditional: imagined conditions
Its use refers to the present or future when considering situations that could be different.
Training:
If + simple past + modal verb with meaning of future tense (should / would / might / could)
If you called her, she might listen to you.
If you called her, she could hear you.
Important:The second conditional indicates a situation with a lower probability of occurring than the first conditional.
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→ Third conditional: imagined conditions
Its use occurs when we imagine a different past with a different result.
Training:
If + past perfect + modal verb with meaning of future tense (should / would / might / could) + have + past participle
If I had been there, none of this would have happened.
If I had been there, none of this would have happened.
→ Conditional zero: real situation
Its use is for situations that are true, that have occurred or that have a high probability of occurring. It has more than one case, as we will see below.
Training:
If + present simple + present simple
If you leave me, I cry.
If you leave me, I cry.
If + presentcontinuous + present simple
If you are going out, get some milk please.
If you're going out, grab some milk, please.
If + present continuous + present continuous
If she’s drinking a lot, her mental health is getting worse.
If she is drinking a lot, her mental health is getting worse.
If + past simple + past simple
If I talked to you, I always had a good time.
If I talked to you, I always had a pleasant moment.
If + past simple + past continuous
If he watched TV more, he was going nuts.
If he watched more TV, he would be going crazy.
Know more:Which are the question words?
Exercises solved on if clauses
Question 1
What way to if clause Is it used for real situations?
A) First conditional
B) Second conditional
C) Third conditional
D) Zero conditional
Resolution:
Alternative D.
Alternatives A, B and C indicate imagined situations. The correct answer is option D: zero conditional, which indicates real situations.
Question 2
As for the third conditional (if clause) of the English language, its formation takes place with:
A) If + simple present + modal verb with future meaning
B) If + simple future + modal verb with past meaning
W) If + simple past + modal verb with future tense meaning
D) If + past perfect + modal verb with future tense meaning
Resolution:
Alternative D.
We can eliminate alternative B, which is not even a type of conditional in the English language. Alternative A brings the first conditional, so it is not what we are looking for. Alternative C brings the second conditional. The correct answer is then option D.
By Beta Maria Xavier Reis
English teacher
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
REIS, Beta Maria Xavier. "If clauses (conditional sentences)"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/ingles/if-clauses-oracoes-condicionais.htm. Accessed September 10, 2023.
Check the conjugation of the verb effect in all possible verb tenses.
Check the conjugation of the verb effect in all possible verb tenses.
Check the conjugation of the verb edulcorar in all possible verb tenses.
