English Grammar I

Summary of basic verb forms

and meaning in sentences
with if clauses.
(CONDITIONALS)
Uses of if clauses
Conditional Zero: is used to express real
conditions of fact in the present or future.
This refers to conditions that exist or are likely.
Meaning: real conditions of fact in
the present/future
Events or situations in the general or
extended present:
If the temperature goes below 32 degrees, the
streets get slick. (Normally, the streets get slick
anytime the temperature falls below 32
degrees.)
If enough students dont enroll in a course, it

must be canceled.
Examples of real conditions of facts
in the present.
If water freezes, it turns to ice.
If people dont get enough sleep, they are
dangerous drivers.
If I dont eat breakfast, I get hungry during
class.
Uses of ifclauses
Conditional 1: is used to express real
conditions of prediction.
This refers to conditions that exist or are likely.
This is the same as conditions of future

prediction.
 Meaning: real conditions of fact in
the present/future
Events or situations in the present or future:
If I have enough money, I will buy a new calculator.

Right now, I dont know if I have enough money or not,

but its possible. Ill check and if I do, Ill buy a new
calculator.
If I see Mary, Ill tell her about the party.
I dont know if Ill see her, but its possible. If I do, Ill
tell her about the party.
Examples of real conditions of
prediction.
If you study hard, you will be prepared for
the quiz.
If you buy that car, youll be sorry.
If I dont finish this project, the boss will
be mad.
Uses of ifclauses
Conditional 2: is used to express conditions
that are not truein other words they are
contrary to fact-- in the present or
expected future. Our textbook calls these
speculation about the present or future.
Conditions that are not true in the
present or future: hypothetical or
contrary-to-fact
Examples if clauses
If I had enough money, I would buy a new
calculator. (Right now, I know that I dont have
enough money.)
If the temperature went below 32 degrees, the

streets would get slick. (Now, or in the

immediate future, the temperature isnt
expected to go that low.)
Were
Whenever a form of be is the main verb
in a contrary to fact if clause in the
present, the correct form to use is were.
If I were you, I would study if clauses more.
If the weather were nicer, we could go to the

park for a picnic.

If I were rich, I would travel around the world.
 Examples of conditions that are not
true in the present or future
If I had enough money, I would take a trip
to Hawaii.
If Fred knew French, he could get a job in
Montreal.
If I were you, I wouldnt do that.
Uses of if clauses
Conditional 3: is used to express conditions
that were not true in the past. We call these
speculations about the past.
Conditions that were not true in the
past: hypothetical or contrary-to-
fact if clauses.
Examples
If I had had enough money, I would have
bought a new calculator.
At sometime in the past I didnt have enough

money, so I didnt buy a calculator

If the temperature had gone below 32 degrees,

the streets would have gotten slick.

At that time, the temperature didnt go that

low, so the streets didnt get slick.

Examples of conditions that were not
true in the past
If I had studied more, I would have done better on
the test.
If I had been born in Mexico, I would have
learned Spanish as a child.
If I had had time, I would have watched the news
last night.
If I had not had to study for a test, I could have
gone to Bills party last weekend.
Verb forms in neutral if clauses
past.
The verb of the if clause is in any
appropriate past, and the verb of the result
clause is in any appropriate past.
If Fred went to the party last night, he

probably didnt do his homework.

If the book was published in 1994, the

author had probably finished the research

before that.
Verb forms in contrary-to-fact if
clauses in the past.
The verb of the if clause is in the past perfect;
the verb of the result clause is composed of
would/could/might have + past participle.
If Napoleon had won at Waterloo, the history of

Europe would have been much different.

If my parents had had more children, I would

have had to share my room with a brother.

 Spelling issues.
Normal contractions are usually used in all but the
most formal writing.
If you dont wear a coat, youll catch cold.
Dont is a normal contraction for do not, and youll is a normal
contraction for you will.
If I finish my homework, Ill go to the party.
Ill is a normal contraction for I will.
If Id known about the party, I couldve gone.
Id is a normal contraction for I had, and couldve is a

normal contraction for could have.