Conditional sentences consist of two parts:

 the if-clause (hypothesis), which starts with if or unless (If we work more,…)
 the main clause (result) (…we will get more money.)
If we work more, we will get more money.

When the if-clause is before the main clause, we separate the two clauses with a comma. But we don’t use a comma when
the if-clause is after the main clause.
If you find the treasure, you’ll be rich. BUT You’ll be rich if you find the treasure.

Formation Formation

If-clause Main clause If-clause Main clause

If / When + Present Simple Present Simple If + Present Simple Will + infinitive

Imperative
Modal verb (can, may, might,
We use the Present Simple both in the If-clause and in the must, should…) + infinitive
main clause.
If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.
In the If-clause we can use Present Perfect if we refer to an
We can use When instead of If. action that has already finished.
When it is very cold, I don’t cycle to work. If you have finished your homework, you can go out.

Use In the main clause we can use instead of will + infinitive:

We use the zero conditional to express a state that always  Imperative (to give instructions or commands)
applies, for example, for general truths or for natural laws. If you miss the train, take the bus.
If you don’t water plants regularly, they die.  Modal verb + infinitive (without “to”)
If she finishes the work early, she may come with us.

If I study hard, I Use

always pass the We use the first conditional to express something that it is
exams. possible or probable will happen in the present or future.
If Sheila gets the job, she will move to Paris.

Formation Formation

If-clause Main clause If-clause Main clause

If + Past Simple Would + infinitive If + Past Perfect Would + have + past participle

Modal verb (could, might) Modal verb (could, might)

+ infinitive + have + past participle

In the If-clause we can use were instead of was in all In the main clause we can use could / might + have + past
persons. participle instead of would + have + past participle.
If she were thinner, she would buy that skirt. If I had passed the exam, I could have gone to the
university.
In the main clause we can use could / might + infinitive
instead of would + infinitive. Use
If you spoke Italian, you could get a job in Italy.
 We use the third conditional to express unreal situations
Use in the past, something that could have happened but didn’t
happen.
We use the second conditional: If he had known your phone number, he would have
called you.
 To express unreal or imaginary situations in the present or
future.
 We also use the third conditional to express regret about an
If I had a big house, I would give a party.
event in the past or criticism about somebody else’s
 To give advice. In this case, we use the phrase If I were actions.
you in the If-clause. If he had been more careful, he would have passed the
If I were you, I wouldn’t go on holiday in October. driving test.
We make the interrogative form of conditional sentences in the same way as we do normal questions. The clause which expresses
the result (the main clause) appears in the interrogative form, and they follow the structure of the four types of conditional
sentences.

If / When + subject + present simple, (Wh-) do / does + subject + infinitive

Type 0
(Wh-) do / does + subject + infinitive if / when + subject + present simple

When Susan is late for work, does her boss get angry?
What do you drink if you are thirsty?

If + subject + present simple, (Wh-) will + subject + infinitive

Type 1
(Wh-) will + subject + infinitive if + subject + present simple

Will he help me if I ask him?

If you have a party, who will you invite?

If + subject + past simple, (Wh-) would + subject + infinitive

Type 2
(Wh-) would + subject + infinitive if + subject + past simple

What would you do if you had a lot of money?

If we were late, would they be angry?

If + subject + past perfect, (Wh-) would + subject + have + past participle

Type 3
(Wh-) would + subject + have + past participle if + subject + past perfect

Would you have kept the money if you had found it?
If you had known her address, would you have written to her?

Remember that when there is a question word, it is always placed at the beginning of the question, before the auxiliary verb.
If it rains this afternoon, what will you do?

We can use unless instead of If…not.

If + negative verb Unless + affirmative verb

If you don’t study harder, you will fail the exams.

Unless you study harder, you will fail the exams.

Unless has the meaning of except if.

If we don’t hurry, we will be late.

We will be late unless we hurry. → This sentence means: We will be late except if we
hurry. (Unless=except if)

Use
We can use unless with all types of conditionals if they have a logical sense, although it is more often used with first conditional
sentences.

We can use unless or if…not with a similar meaning in most real or possible conditional sentences (first conditional and
sometimes second conditional).
I won’t help Helen if she doesn’t ask me. = I won’t help Helen unless she asks me.
He wouldn’t go if they didn’t invited him. = He wouldn’t go unless they invited him.

But we don’t usually use unless in unreal or impossible conditional sentences (third conditional and sometimes second
conditional). In these sentences we use if…not.
He would be happier if he didn’t take things too seriously. (not …unless he took…)
If she hadn’t gone to university, she would have gone into the police force. (not …unless she had gone…)

We don’t use unless in most questions, we use if…not.

If you don’t pass the exams, what will you do? (not Unless you pass…)
Conditionals can be introduced with other expressions instead of if or unless:

as long as (= only if) You can borrow my camera as long as you promise to take care.

provided / providing (that) (= only if) You can visit me any time provided / providing (that) you call me in advance.

in case I'll buy some mineral water in case I get thirsty (= I’ll buy some mineral water before I get thirsty.)

But: I'll buy some mineral water if I get thirsty (= I'll buy some mineral water when I get thirsty.)

on condition (that) (=provided) On condition (that) she passes her exam, her parents will let her go to Italy for the holidays.

but for (= if it wasn't / hadn't been for) But for the rain, we would have enjoyed the picnic.

or else (= if not / otherwise) Hurry up, or else we'll miss the train.

suppose / supposing (= imagine if) Suppose / supposing the lights went out, what would we do?

only if She will go to the party only if she has finished her work.

even if He wouldn't talk about his plans even if you begged him to.

whether Whether he agrees with me or not is not important to me.

Make zero conditional sentences using the prompts, Complete the sentences with the correct tense of the
as in the example. You can use if or when. verbs in brackets to form first conditional sentences.

1. you / mix / blue and yellow / you / get / green 1. If you __________ (talk) to the parrot, it __________
When you mix blue and yellow, you get green. (repeat) what you say.
2. I / watch / television late at night / I / fall / asleep 2. I __________ (take) my jacket with me if it __________
___________________________________________ (be) cold tomorrow.
3. Sandra / have / a party / the neighbours / get / angry 3. If Peter __________ (not feed) the cat, it __________
___________________________________________ (die)
4. you / lose / weight / you / not eat 4. If Jenny __________ (invite) me to the party, I
___________________________________________ __________ (go).
5. the weather /be / nice / Peter / walk / to work 5. Andrew __________ (become) ill if he __________ (not
___________________________________________ rest).
6. you / add / salt / the food / taste /better 6. ______ you ______ (take) me with you if you __________
___________________________________________ (go) to the cinema?
7. my son / get / sick / he /eat / too many sweets 7. They __________ (not let) you in if you __________ (not
___________________________________________ buy) a ticket.
8. my mother / have / a headache / she / take / an aspirin 8. If it __________ (rain), I __________ (not go) to the
___________________________________________ football match today.
9. you / heat / ice / it / melt 9. ______ you ______ (help) me if you __________ (not be)
___________________________________________ too busy.
10. it / snow / children / make / snowmen 10. Tomas __________ (feel) better if he __________ (sleep)
___________________________________________ a bit.
11. I / miss / the 7 o’clock bus / I / be / late for work 11. If they __________ (not get) an umbrella, they
___________________________________________ __________ (get) wet.
12. Janet / not sleep /she / drink / coffee 12. If Sam __________ (win) some money on the pools, he
___________________________________________ __________ (go) on holiday.
 Complete the sentences with the correct tense of the Complete the sentences with the correct tense of the
verbs in brackets to form second conditional verbs in brackets to form third conditional sentences.
sentences.

1. If you __________ (fail) the exam, you __________ (be 1. Robin __________ (watch) the football match if he

able) to take it again next year. __________ (not be) at work.

2. If I __________ (not have) all this work, I __________ 2. ______ Harry ______ (lose) his passport if he

(go) out this evening. __________ (put) it in a safer place?

3. We __________ (not miss) so many phone calls if we 3. If Mary __________ (meet) the man of her dreams, she

___________ (buy) an answerphone. __________ (marry) him.

4. If you __________ (see) a terror film, ______ you 4. If the film __________ (not be) so boring, I __________

______ (be) frightened? (not fall) asleep.

5. Pamela __________ (feel) better if she __________ (give 5. I __________ (phone) them if I __________ (not forget)

up) smoking. their phone number.

6. If I __________ (be) you, I __________ (take) a taxi. 6. If Sara __________ (invite) you to her party, ______ you

7. If they __________ (have) enough money, they ______ (go)?

__________ (buy) a new car. 7. If we __________ (bring) the map, we __________ (not

8. If your mother __________ (not like) your present, what get) lost.

______ you ______ (do)? 8. If it __________ (not rain) last weekend, I __________

9. If Sheila __________ (not be) so rude, people (go) to the beach.

__________ (like) her. 9. This __________ (not happen) if you __________ (listen)

10. She __________ (not walk) to school if she __________ my advice.

(have) a bike. 10. If Kevin __________ (study) harder, he __________

11. If my grandparents __________ (live) nearer, I (pass) the exam.

__________ (visit) them more often. 11. I __________ (arrive) on time if my car ___________

12. If the weather __________ (be) better, the children (not break down).

__________ (play) in the garden. 12. If Jim __________ (run) faster, he __________ (win) the
race.

Make questions with the words in prompts, then write Rewrite these sentences using unless or if … not.
your own answers. You have the type in brackets.

1. How / you / feel / if / you / win / a prize / ? (Second) 1. He will break his leg if he doesn’t skate carefully.
____________________________________________ ____________________________________________
____________________________________________ 2. If you don’t take the dog for a walk, it will bark at night.
2. If / you / go / to a desert island / what / you / take / with ____________________________________________
you / ? (Second)
____________________________________________ 3. She will break the bottle unless she is careful.

____________________________________________ ____________________________________________

3. What / you / eat / if / you / be / very hungry / ? (Zero) 4. If I don’t have any money, I can’t go on holiday.

____________________________________________ ____________________________________________

____________________________________________ 5. Unless he phones now, we won’t wait for him.

4. If / you / find / a wallet in the street yesterday / what / ____________________________________________

you / do / ? (Third) 6. If Kelly doesn’t drive slowly in the rain, she will have an
____________________________________________
accident.
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
5. If / you / go out / next weekend / where / you / go / ?
7. They will be very disappointed if you don’t go to the party.
(First) ______________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
8. Unless you stop eating lots of sweets, you will put on
6. What / you / do / if / you /see / an UFO / ? (Second)
weight.
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
9. He will lose his job unless he works harder.
7. Who / you / invite / if / you / have / a party / ?
____________________________________________
(Second) ___________________________________
____________________________________________
 Choose the correct alternative for each sentence.

1. Jenny __________ the 8 o’clock news tonight is she has time.

a) watches b) will watch c) doesn’t watch

2. If I __________ you, I would buy her a CD.

a) am b) had been c) were

3. My mother will go shopping __________.

a) unless it doesn’t rain b) if it rains c) unless it rains

4. If he had known about the dance, he __________ it.

a) might attend b) might have attended c) would attend

5. If you add baking powder to a cake mixture, it __________ when it’s baking.

a) would rise b) would have risen c) rises

6. If you __________ on annoying me, I will leave.

a) have insisted b) insist c) insisted

7. If I __________ an alarm, the burglars wouldn’t have broken into my house last week.

a) had installed b) installed c) will install

8. You __________ people everywhere at any time if you had a mobile phone.

a) would have contacted b) could contact c) will contact

9. If the machine stops, __________ that red button to start it again.

a) will press b) must press c) press

10. If Jake __________ talking on the phone, I’ll make a phone call.

a) has stopped b) stopped c) will stop

11. If you had come earlier, you __________ the party.

a) won’t miss b) wouldn’t have missed c) wouldn’t miss

12. Howard will buy a car __________ his driving license.

a) unless he gets b) if he gets c) if he doesn’t get

13. If we __________ the plane, we could save time.

a) took b) take c) had taken

14. A businessman won’t succeed __________ he works hard.

a) if b) if not c) unless

15. If he __________ careful, he wouldn’t have fallen down the stairs.

a) was b) would be c) had been

 ANSWER KEY

2. If / When I watch television late at night, I fall asleep 1. talk / will repeat
1 3. If / When Sandra has a party, the neighbours get angry
2 2. will take / is
4. You lose weight if / when you don’ eat 3. doesn’t feed /will die
5. If / When the weather is nice, Peter walks to work 4. invites / will go
6. If / When you add salt, the food tastes better 5. will become / doesn’t rest
7. My son gets sick if / when he eats too many sweets 6. Will … take / go
8. If / When my mother has a headache, she takes an 7. won’t let / don’t buy
aspirin 8. rains / won’t go
9. If /When you heat ice, it melts 9. Will … help / aren’t
10. If / When it snows children make snowmen 10. will feel / sleeps
11. If /When I miss the 7 o’clock bus, I am late for work 11. don’t get /will get
12. Janet doesn’t sleep if /when she drinks coffee 12. wins / will go

1. failed / would be able

3 2. didn’t have / would go
4 1. would have watched / hadn’t been
2. Would … have lost / had put
3. wouldn’t miss / bought
3. had met / would have married
4. saw / would … be
4. hadn’t been /wouldn’t have fallen
5. would feel / gave up
5. would have phoned / hadn’t forgotten
6. were / would take
6. had invited / would … have gone
7. had / would buy
7. had brought / wouldn’t have got
8. didn’t like / would … do
8. hadn’t rained / would have gone
9. wasn’t – weren’t / would like
9. wouldn’t have happened / had listened
10. wouldn’t walk / had
10. had studied / would have passed
11. lived / would visit
11. would have arrived / hadn’t broken down
12. was – were / would play
12. had run / would have won

5 1. How would you feel if you won a prize?

2. If you went to a desert island, what would you take with you?
3. What do you eat when you are very hungry?
4. If you had found a wallet in the street yesterday, what would you have done?
5. If you go out next weekend, where will you go?
6. What would you do if you saw an UFO?
7. Who would you invite if you had a party?

6 1. He will break his leg unless he skates carefully.

2. Unless you take the dog for a walk, it will bark at night.
3. She will break the bottle if she isn’t careful.
4. Unless I have some money, I can’t go on holiday.
5. If he doesn’t phone now, we won’t wait for him.
6. Unless Kelly drives slowly in the rain, she will have an accident.
7. They will be very disappointed unless you go to the party.
8. If you don’t stop eating lots of sweets, you will put on weight.
9. He will lose his job if he doesn’t work harder.

7 1. b 2. c 3. c 4. b 5. c 6. b 7. a 8. b 9. c 10. a 11. b 12. b

13. a 14. c 15. c