IF CONDITIONALS & WISH CLAUSES
by Hakan Serim
Sometimes we call them 'if clauses'. They describe the result of something that might happen (in the present or future) or might have happened but didn't (in the past) . They are made using different English verb tenses, meaning using various IF CLAUSE TYPES.
There are four main kinds of conditionals, in addition to some other mix types.
Type 0
Scientific Facts, Laws of Nature
If Simple Present, Simple Present
e.g
If water reaches 100 degrees, it boils. (It is always true, there can't be a different result sometimes).
If I eat peanuts, I am sick. (This is true only for me, maybe, not for everyone, but it's still true that I'm sick every time I eat peanuts)
Here are some more examples:
If people eat too much, they get fat.
If you touch a fire, you get burned.
People die if they don't eat.
You get water if you mix hydrogen and oxygen.
Snakes bite if they are scared.
If babies are hungry, they cry.
Type 1
If Present Time, will V1
modal
Realistic, authentic conditions and results
e.g
If it rains, I won't go to the park.
If I complete my task, I'll go to the party tonight.
If I have enough money, I'll buy some new shoes.
She'll be late if the train is delayed.
She might miss the bus if she doesn't leave soon.
If I see her, I'll tell her the truth.
Type 2
If Simple Past, would V1
could
Unrealistic, fantastic conditions and results
e.g
If I won the lottery, I would buy a big house. (I probably won't win the lottery)
If I met the Queen of England, I would say hello.
She would travel all over the world if she were rich.
She could pass the exam if she ever studied. (She never studies, so this won't happen)
If I had his number, I would call him. (I don't have his number now, so it's impossible for me to call him)
If I were you, I wouldn't go out with that man.
Type 3
If Past Perfect, modal have V3
Realistic but untrue conditions and results in the past
e.g
The injured man could have been alive if the ambulance had arrived in time.
If she had studied, she would have passed the exam. (but, really we know she didn't study and so she didn't pass)
If I hadn't eaten so much, I wouldn't have felt sick. (but I did eat a lot, and so I did feel sick)
If we had taken a taxi, we couldn't have missed the plane.
She might not have been tired if she had gone to bed earlier.
She could have become a teacher if she had gone to university.
Mix 3, 2
If Past Perfect, would V1 now.
Realistic but untrue condition in the past, and fantastic result at present
e.g
The injured man would be alive now if the ambulance had arrived in time.
Mix 2, 3
If Simple Past, modal have V3 yesterday.
Fantastic, unralistic condition at present, and realistic but untrue result in the past
e.g
If I were you, I wouldn't have talked to him the other day when you met each other.
Other
Conditionals
Unless
Providing
As long as
Only if
If only
What if
Supposing that
Whether .... or not
In case
etc
UNLESS
e.g
Unless you study dilligently, you'll never understand trigonometry.
(If you don't study dilligently, you'll never understand trigonometry).
SUPPOSE (THAT)
SUPPOSING (THAT)
PROVIDED (THAT)
PROVIDING (THAT)
AS LONG AS
ON (THE) CONDITION THAT
e.g
You can share my room as long as you share the rent too.
ONLY IF
e.g
We will be able to restore the confidence of our members only if the chairperson resigns.
Only if the chairperson resigns will we be able to restore the confidence of our members.
WHAT IF
e.g
"But what if they're wrong?" his mother asked.
IN CASE
e.g
I will not go to my office by my car in case it snows.
EVEN IF
e.g
I am sure she will buy it even if it costs a fortune.
Inverted Conditionals
Inverted Type 1
e.g
Should it rain, we'll stay home.
Inverted Type 2
e.g
Were I an invisible man, I would help needy people.
Were I to win the lottery, I would take a world tour.
Inverted Type 3
e.g
Had the ambulance arrived in time, the injured man wouldn't have died.
Wish Clauses
I wish + S.Past
Present Meaning
e.g
I wish (that) I had a big house.
(I don't have a big house, but it's a nice idea!)
I wish (that) we didn't need to work today.
(We do need to work today, unfortunately)
I wish (that) you lived close by.
(You don't live close by)
If only (that) John wasn't busy tomorrow. (If only=I wish)
(He is busy, unfortunately)
I wish + Past Perfect /
Perfect Modals
Past Meaning
e.g
I wish (that) I had studied harder at school.
(I didn't study hard at school, and now I'm sorry about it.)
I wish I hadn't eaten so much yesterday!
(But I did eat a lot yesterday. Now I think it wasn't a good idea.)
I wish I could have got up early yesterday.
(I got up late yesterday, and I regret about it now.)
I wish + would V1
could V1
Future Meaning
e.g
I wish it would stop raining!
(It is raining at the moment and I hope it stops soon.)
I wish that John could help you clean up.
(John is at work, so he can't help)
Never use future tense with the wish clauses
Never use "would" if the subjects of the sentence and noun clause are same.