Zero, first, second, third and mixed conditionals
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You can see a full explanation of type 0, type 1, type 2 and type 3 conditional
with examples.
Mixed conditionals
We use mixed conditionals to mix talking about the present and the past in the
same sentence. The mixed conditional is a combination of the second and
the third conditional:
➟ We can use past simple or continuous in the if-clause (to refer to the
present or future) and would/ should/ might have + past participle in the
main clause (to refer to the past).
➟ We can also use past perfect in the if-clause (to refer to the past)
and would/ should/ might + infinitive (to refer to the present).
If I didn’t have (second conditional) so much work, I would have
gone (third conditional) to the party last night.
If I spoke (second conditional) German, I would have
understood (third conditional) them.
If I had won (third conditional) the lottery, I would be (second
conditional) rich.
If I hadn’t dropped (third conditional) school, I could have (second
conditional) a better job now.
Alternatives to if in conditional sentences
As long as / provided (that) / providing (that) / on condition (that) / only
if
We can use the expressions as long as, provided/ providing (that), on
condition (that), or only if instead of if when we want to emphasise the
condition that needs to be present so that something can happen or be done.
I’ll tell you what really happened as long as you keep the secret.
I’ll lend you the money provided (that) you pay me back next month.
They will speak to the press on condition (that) they remain
anonymous sources.
We will invest the money, but only if you can prove that it’s a safe
investment.
Whether or not
We use whether or not when there are two alternatives, and we want to say
that something will happen or will be true in any of those two alternatives.
Compare:
I’ll help him if he needs me. (=I will help him only if he needs me.)
I’ll help him whether or not he needs me. (I will help him if he needs
me, and I will help him if he doesn’t need me, too.)
Even if
We also use even if with a similar meaning to ‘whether or not’. It is used to
emphasise that something will still be true or will happen if another thing
happens.
Even if you apologise, he’ll never forgive you. (=Whether or not you
apologise, he’ll never forgive you.)
Suppose/supposing
We normally use suppose or supposing at the beginning of a sentence to
make someone imagine a situation. It means ‘what would happen if’, or simply
‘if’ (imagining a situation).
Supposing I got a job, I wouldn’t be able to travel with you next
summer.
Suppose she doesn’t believe you, what would you do then?
Inversion in conditional sentences
Should you find
In first conditional sentences, it’s possible to use should at the beginning of
the sentence instead of if. This form is formal, and it’s common to use an
imperative form in the main clause.
Should you find the answer, please let me know as soon as
possible. (=If you find the answer)
Should you change your mind, you know where to contact us. (=If you
change your mind)
Had we arrived
In third conditional sentences, we can invert the auxiliary verb had and
leave if out. Had we arrived = If we had arrived.
Had we arrived earlier, we could have prevented the incident.
Had they looked further into the data, they might have realised there
was a mistake.
Were we to announce
We can also find cases of inversion with this structure: were + subject + to. +
infinitive. It is used to talk about future improbable events (like the second
conditional).
Were we to announce the truth, we would receive a lot of criticism. (=If
we announced …)
Were they to buy a new house, they would need to sell the old one
first. (=If they bought …)
Negative forms: should I not, had we not, were we not
When should, had or were are negative, contracted forms are not used,
and not is used after the subject.
Shouldn’t you wish to retake the test, you must let us know before the
end of June.
Should you not wish to retake the test, you must let us know before
the end of June.
Hadn’t you refused my invitation, we would have had the most
incredible time in our lives.
Had you not refused my invitation, we would have had the most
incredible time in our lives.
Weren’t you my brother, I would call the police.
Were you not my brother, I would call the police.