CONDITIONALS
Special cases
Reduced conditional
Had I known, I would have told you.
Form: Omit "if" and invert the subject and verb of the if-clause.
Use: Often used in informal speech and writing to make sentences more concise.
Inverse conditional
If I were not tired, I would go out
Form: If + negative clause, positive main clause
Use: Used to express a condition that is the opposite of what is true or likely
Alternatives to if
In case
In case of fire, use the fire extinguisher
In case of + clause, main clause
Is to imagine a future situation, we often use to imagine precaution necessary, it´s not the same a as If
Supposing/ Suppose or What if
Supposing you won the lottery, what would you do?
Supposing/Suppose or What if + clause, main clause
Introduces a hypothetical situation, is for imaginary conditions
Provided
Provided that you study hard, you will pass the exam.
Provided that + clause, main clause
Indicates a condition that must be met for something to happen, necessary conditions
but for
so long as
Unless
Unless you study hard, you won't pass the exam
Unless + positive statement
To express a negative condition, similar to if...not
If clauses
As if or as though
wish
Would
If only
Had
If I had known you were coming, I would have baked a cake
If I had + past participle, would have + past participle
Expresses a past unreal condition
Should
Should it rain, we will cancel the picnic
Should + subject + infinitive, would + infinitive
Less likely situations, often with uncertainty
Were to
If I were to win the lottery, I would donate a large sum to charity
If + subject + were to + infinitive, would + infinitive
More formal and less likely situations
Mixed conditional
If I had studied harder, I would be passing the exam now
If + past simple, would have + past participle
If + past perfect, would + infinitive
Mixing past and present unreal situations
Third conditional
If I had gone to sleep early, I would have gotten up early
If + past perfect, would have + past participle
Unreal situation in the past
Second conditional
If I had a million dollars, I would travel the world
If + past simple, would + infinitive
Unreal or unlikely situation in the present or future
First conditional
If the sun comes out, I will take the clothes out to dry
If + present simple, will + infinitive
Real possibility in the present or future
Zero conditional
If you heat water, it boils
If + present simple, present simple
To express general truths, scientific facts, or habits