CONDITIONALS : TYPE 1 , TYPE 2 AND TYPE 3

CONDITIONALS : TYPE 1 , TYPE 2 AND TYPE 3

Students sometimes have difficulty with conditional sentences, either because they cannot find the appropriate type of condition to suit the situation, or because they make mistakes with the sequence of tenses. Here, I’ll only be dealing with the three basic types of condition, commonly referred to as Type 1, Type 2 and Type 3.

CONDITIONAL TYPE 1

Often, when we are making plans for the future, we have to consider various circumstances before we can make a definite decision. For example, we would like to go for a picnic next Sunday but, as it is only March, we cannot be sure of the weather. It is possible that it will be too cold or will rain, so when we talk about our plans we usually say:

If the weather is fine,

If it is warm enough,

=====>I (shall/will) go for a picnic next Sunday, if it doesn’t rain. / …..unless it rains.

My programme for next Sunday will depend on the weather, but a picnic is possible.

Summary:

When is conditional type 1 used?

Conditional type 1 is used when we speak about present and future activities and situations which are really possible.

Which tenses do we need?

If + simple present + simple future

Simple future + if + simple present

Simple future = (shall / shan’t – will / won’t + bare infinitive)

Simple present = (do / (don’t + bare infinitive) does / (doesn’t + bare infinitive))

Examples:

If he is better, he will come to school tomorrow.

He’ll come to school tomorrow if he’s better.

===>His coming to school tomorrow is very possible but it all depends on his health condition.

If it rains, we shan’t / won't (shall not / will not) be able to go swimming.

We shan’t / won’t be able to go swimming if it rains.


If you don't come early, he will go alone.

If she refuses him, he will commit suicide.

If I pass my driving test next week, I shall / will buy a little car.

Sometimes there may be variations in the tenses of both the “if clause” and the “main clause”.

1. If + simple present + will be doing/will have done/will have been doing

Examples:

If they promote me, I will be working as a manager next week.

If you don't hurry up, the plane will have left.

If he stays till June, he will have been playing for this team for eight months.

2. If + simple present + may / might for possibility

Examples:

If it snows until the next day, the road may / might be blocked.

If the council doesn't take any action now, there may / might be a great unrest.

3. If + simple present + may / can for permission

Examples:

If you finish your homework within an hour, you may / can watch television.

If it stops raining, you may / can go out to play with Freddie.

4. If + simple present + must / should for advice (or light obligation)

If he wants to lose weight, he should / must eat less bread.

If you get wet, you should / must change your clothes immediately.

5. If + present continuous + simple future / had better

Examples:

If he is standing in the rain, he will catch cold.

If you are studying, I had better go to the other room.