Conditional sentences

The conditional sentences are sometimes confusing for learners of English. Watch out: 1) Which type of the conditional sentences is used? 2) Where is the if-clause (e.g. at the beginning or at the end of the conditional sentence)? There are three types of the if-clauses. type I II III condition condition possible to fulfill condition in theory possible to fulfill condition not possible to fulfill (too late)

Form
type I II III if clause Simple Present Simple Past Past Perfect main clause will-future (or Modal + infinitive) would + infinitive * would + have + past participle *

Examples (if-clause at the beginning)

type I II III if clause If I study, If I studied, If I had studied, main clause I will pass the exam. I would pass the exam. I would have passed the exam.

Examples (if-clause at the end)

type I II III main clause I will pass the exam I would pass the exam I would have passed the exam if-clause if I study. if I studied. if I had studied.

Examples (affirmative and negative sentences)

type Examples

long forms + If I study, I will pass the exam. I If I study, I will not fail the exam. If I do not study, I will fail the exam.

short/contracted forms If I study, I'll pass the exam. If I study, I won't fail the exam. If I don't study, I'll fail the exam. If I studied, I'd pass the exam. If I studied, I wouldn't fail the exam. If I didn't study, I'd fail the exam. If I'd studied, I'd have passed the exam. If I'd studied, I wouldn't have failed the exam. If I hadn't studied, I'd have failed the exam.

+ If I studied, I would pass the exam. II + III If I studied, I would not fail the exam. If I did not study, I would fail the exam. If I had studied, I would have passed the exam. If I had studied, I would not have failedthe exam. If I had not studied, I would have failedthe exam.

* We can substitute could or might for would (should, may or must are sometimes possible, too). I would pass the exam. I could pass the exam. I might pass the exam. I may pass the exam. I should pass the exam. I must pass the exam. Thanks to Kai.

Use
It is possible to fulfil a condition which is given in the if-clause.

Form
if clause main clause will-future or infinitive or Modal + infinitive

Simple Present

Examples
If I study, If you see John tonight, If Ben gets up early, I will pass the exams. tell him to e-mail me. he can catch the bus.

The if-clause can be at the beginning or at the end of the sentence. If I study, I will pass the exams I will pass the exams. if I study.

Use
It is theoretically possible to fulfil a condition which is given in the if-clause.

Form
if clause main clause would + infinitive or could + infinitive or might + infinitive

Simple Past

Examples
If I studied, If I studied, If I studied, I would pass the exams. I could pass the exams. I might pass the exams.

The if-clause can be at the beginning or at the end of the sentence. If I studied, I would pass the exams I would pass the exams. if I studied.

Use
It is theoretically possible to fulfil a condition which is given in the if-clause.

Form
if clause Simple Past main clause would + infinitive or could + infinitive

or might + infinitive

Examples
If I studied, If I studied, If I studied, I would pass the exams. I could pass the exams. I might pass the exams.

The if-clause can be at the beginning or at the end of the sentence. If I studied, I would pass the exams I would pass the exams. if I studied.