IF/UNLESS (in conditional sentences)
When we want to talk about things that are always or generally true, we can use
If/When/Unless plus a present form PLUS present simple or imperative.
• If you press this button, you get black coffee.
• When you fly budget airline, you don't expect to get anything to eat.
• Unless you need a lot of leg-room, don't pay the extra for first class.
Notice that we are talking about something which is generally true, not a specific event.
In the condition clause, there can be a variety of present forms. In the result clause, there can only be the present simple or imperative.
• If you visit Barcelona, look out for the spectacular architecture.
• If unemployment is rising, people tend to stay in their present jobs.
• If you've finished everything, go home.
• When you go to Barbados, take plenty of sun cream.
• When I'm working, please be quiet.
• When I've written a new article, I run it through my spell-checker.
Notice that 'unless' means the same as 'if not'.
• Unless he asks you to continue, stop all work on the project.
• Unless interest rates are rising, it's not a good investment.
• Unless you've been to Tokyo yourself, you don't really understand how fantastic it is.
First Conditional
We use the First Conditional to talk about future events that are likely to happen.
• If we take John, he'll be really pleased.
• If you give me some money, I'll pay you back tomorrow.
• If they tell us they want it, we'll have to give it to them.
• If Mary comes, she'll want to drive.
The 'if' clause can be used with different present forms.
• If I go to New York again, I'll buy you a souvenir from the Empire State Building.
• If he's feeling better, he'll come.
• If she hasn't heard the bad news yet, I'll tell her.
The "future clause" can contain 'going to' or the future perfect as well as 'will'.
• If I see him, I'm going to tell him exactly how angry I am.
• If we don't get the contract, we'll have wasted a lot of time and money.
The "future clause" can also contain other modal verbs such as 'can' and 'must'.
• If you go to New York, you must have the cheesecake in Lindy's.
• If he comes, you can get a lift home with him.
Second Conditional
We can use the Second Conditional to talk about 'impossible' situations.
• If I had one million dollars, I'd give a lot to charity.
• If there were no more hungry people in this world, it would be a much better place.
• If we were in New York today, we would be able to go to the free Elton John concert in Central Park.
Notice that after I / he/ she /it we often use the subjunctive form 'were' and not 'was'. (Some people think that 'were' is the only 'correct' form but other people think 'was' is equally 'correct' .)
• If I were in Tokyo, I'd have sushi every day.
• If she were really happy in her job, she'd be working much harder.
• If IBM were to enter our market, we would have big problems.
Notice the form 'If I were you' which is often used to give advice.
• If I were you, I'd change my job.
• If I were you, I'd sign up for Pearson's fantastic English lessons.
We can also use the Second Conditional to talk about 'unlikely' situations.
• If I won the lottery, I'd buy my parents a big house.
• If I went to the moon, I'd bring back some moon rock.
• If you met him, you'd really like him.
Notice that the choice between the first and the second conditional is often a question of the speaker's attitude rather than of facts. For example, consider two people Peter Pessimist and Otto Optimist.
• Otto – If I win the lottery, I'll buy a big house.
• Peter – If I won the lottery, I'd buy a big house.
• Otto – If I get promoted, I'll throw a big party.
• Peter – If I got promoted, I'd throw a big party.
• Otto – If my team win the Cup, I'll buy champagne for everybody.
• Peter – If my team won the Cup, I'd buy champagne for everybody.
Notice that the 'If clause' can contain the past simple or the past continuous.
• If I was still living in Brighton, I would commute by train.
• If they were thinking of coming, they would let us know.
• If she were coming, she would be here by now.
Notice that the main clause can contain 'would' 'could' or 'might.
• If I met him again, I wouldn't recognize him.
• If we met up for lunch one day, I could take you to that new restaurant.
• If I spoke to him directly, we might be able to reach an agreement.
Also notice that sometimes the 'if clause' is implied rather than spoken.
• What would I do without you? ("if you stopped working here")
• Where would I get one at this time of night? ("if I went looking for one")
• He wouldn't agree. ("if we asked him")
Third Conditional
We can use the Third Conditional to talk about 'impossible' conditions, impossible because they are in the past and we cannot change what has happened.
• If I had worked harder at school, I would have got better grades.
• If I had had time, I would have gone to see him. But I didn't have time.
• If we had bought that house, we would have had to rebuild the kitchen.
• If we had caught the earlier train, we would have got there on time but we were late.
Notice that the main clause can contain 'would' 'could' or 'might.
• If I had seen him at the meeting, I would have asked him. (But he wasn't there so I didn't.)
• If I had seen him at the meeting, I could have asked him. ( But he wasn't there so it wasn't possible.)
• If I had seen him at the meeting, I might have asked him. (But I'm not sure. Perhaps if the opportunity had arisen.)
• If I had paid more attention in class, I would have understood the lesson.
Also notice that sometimes the 'if clause' is implied rather than spoken.
• I'd have done it. ("if you had asked me but you didn't.")
• I wouldn't have said that. ("if I'd been there.")
• He wouldn't have let him get away with that. ("if he had tried that with me.")
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