Mastering English Conditionals and Verb Forms Reference

Posted on Oct 7, 2025 in English

The Four Main Conditional Sentence Types

Conditional sentences express hypothetical situations and their consequences. They are categorized by the likelihood of the event.

Type 0: Zero Conditional (Scientific Truths)

Structure: IF + Present Simple, Present Simple

Used for facts, scientific truths, and general habits.

  • If you heat butter, it melts.

Type 1: First Conditional (Real Possibilities)

Structure: IF + Present Simple, Future Simple

Used for possible situations in the present or future.

  • If you study hard, you will pass your exams.

Type 1 Variations: Imperative Clauses

This structure is often used for threats, warnings, or promises:

  • Imperative + or / and + Future Simple: Do not say a word about this, or I will kill you. / Finish your job, and you will have a bonus.
  • Imperative + if / in case + Present Simple: Contact me if you need any help. / Call them in case you need help.

Type 2: Second Conditional (Unreal Present/Future)

Structure: IF + Past Simple, Simple Conditional (would + base verb)

Used to express present or future scenarios that are often unrealistic, impossible, or hypothetical.

  • If I were rich, I would buy a castle.
  • If I were him, I would go and see a doctor.
  • If elephants had wings, they would be able to fly.

Note: When the verb to be is used in the if clause, were is often used for all subjects (subjunctive mood).

Type 3: Third Conditional (Unreal Past Situations)

Structure: IF + Past Perfect, Perfect Conditional (would have + past participle)

Used to express unreal situations in the past, often within a context of criticism, complaint, or regret.

  • If I had known that you were sick, I would have gone to see you.

Alternatives to ‘If’ in Conditional Sentences

Conditional sentences can sometimes be constructed without the word if, using alternative conjunctions:

  • Unless: Means “if not.” Example: Unless you work harder, you will fail your exams.
  • Providing That / Provided That / As Long As: Used with the meaning of “only if” or “on the condition that.” Example: Providing that you come back home with your friends, I will let you go to the party.
  • In Case: Means “because something might happen.” Example: I’ll buy more sugar in case we decide to make the cake.

Conditional Transformation: Cause and Effect

We can transform a causal sentence into a conditional sentence by inverting the meaning (positive becomes negative, negative becomes positive).

Original Sentence: I felt sleepy because I did not have any coffee. (Past cause and effect)

Steps for Transformation (Type 3):

  1. Identify the original cause and effect (both past).
  2. Invert the cause: I did not have coffee → If I had had some coffee.
  3. Invert the effect: I felt sleepy → I would not have felt sleepy.
  4. Result: If I’d had some coffee, I would not have felt sleepy.

Punctuation and Conditional Connectors

We must put a comma after the conditional clause if it comes at the beginning of the sentence.

We can use as long as, even if, or providing that in the conditional sentence rather than if.

We can use as long as or providing that to convey the sense of “only if,” usually in the First Conditional.

Even If: Used to emphasize the condition in the present, future, or past.

  • I would not go on a diet even if I were overweight.

Using ‘Wish’ and ‘If Only’

Wishes about the Present

Use wish / if only + Past Simple / Continuous when we wish something were different in the present.

  • If only I had some good trainers. (I wish I had good shoes.)

Regrets about the Past

Use wish / if only + Past Perfect when we regret something that happened in the past.

  • I wish I’d eaten pasta before the race.
  • If only it had not been raining.

Complaints about the Future/Present

Use wish / if only + would to complain about a situation or someone’s behavior.

  • If only it would stop raining.
  • I wish you would stop making excuses.

Verbs Followed by Gerunds (-ing)

The gerund (-ing form) is used after prepositions and after certain verbs:

  • Verbs: Admit, advise, avoid, can’t help, can’t imagine, can’t stand, complete, consider, discuss, dislike, don’t mind, enjoy, finish, give up, imagine, keep, mention, mind, miss, practise, recommend, regret, report, resist, risk, suggest.

Verbs Followed by Infinitives (to + verb)

The infinitive (to + verb) is used after certain verbs:

  • Verbs: Afford, agree, appear, arrange, ask, attempt, beg, choose, dare, decide, demand, deserve, expect, fail, hesitate, hope, intend, learn, manage, mean, offer, prepare, pretend, promise, refuse, seem, threaten, wait, want, wish.

Verbs Followed by Both Gerunds and Infinitives

Some verbs can be followed by either a gerund or an infinitive with little or no change in meaning:

  • Verbs: begin, hate, like, love, prefer, start.

Verbs Changing Meaning: Forget

  • Forget + Infinitive: Forget to perform an action in the future.
  • Forget + Gerund: Forget a past event or memory.

Verbs Changing Meaning: Remember

  • Remember + Infinitive: Remember to perform an action in the future.
  • Remember + Gerund: Remember a past fact or event.

Verbs Changing Meaning: Stop

  • Stop + Infinitive: Stop one action in order to do something else.
  • Stop + Gerund: Cease an action permanently.

Verbs Changing Meaning: Try

  • Try + Infinitive: Attempt something difficult, often failing.
  • Try + Gerund: Experiment with something as a solution.