CONDITIONALS 3 : TYPE 1 , TYPE 2 AND TYPE 3

CONDITIONALS 3 : TYPE 1 , TYPE 2 AND TYPE 3

Students sometimes have difficulty with conditional sentences, either

because they cannot find the appropriate type

of condition to suit the situation, or because they make mistakes with

the sequence of tenses. Here, I’ll only be

dealing with the three basic types of condition, commonly referred to

as Type 1, Type 2 and Type 3.

CONDITIONAL TYPE 3

TYPE 3

PAST CONDITIONAL

UNREAL PAST

TYPE 3

We can use conditional type 3 / past conditional / the third Conditional

to talk about 'impossible' conditions,

impossible because they are in the past and we cannot change what has

happened

This sometimes means that conditional sentences are about situations

in the past that did not occur and are

imaginary.

We use it to:

1. criticize people,

2. point out their mistakes or

3. express regret about the past.


Sometimes we do things which we regret afterwards. Let us take

the example of the little boy who was knocked

down and killed by a car last week when he ran into the road to get

his ball.

The little boy ran into the road.

The car knocked him down.

The little boy was killed.

If the little boy hadn’t run into the road, the car wouldn’t have knocked

him down.

He would have lost his ball but not his life.

Here we are looking at a past event and are just imagining what would

or might have happened if circumstances had been different.

Summary:

When is conditional type 3 used?

We use conditional type 3 / past conditional / the third conditional

when we imagine the possible consequences of

past actions and situations which did not in fact happen.

Which tenses do we need?

If + past perfect + I would have done

I would have done + if + past perfect

If we had beaten Manchester, we would have been champion.

If + past perfect tense + I could have / might have done

I could have / might have done + If + past perfect tense

If he had struggled, he could have reached his aim. (ability)

If they had informed me, I might have helped them, (probability /

possibility)

I was tired so I went to bed early.

===If I hadn't been tired, I wouldn't have gone to bed early.

I wouldn't have gone to bed early If I hadn't been tired.

They didn’t study and consequently they didn’t pass the exam.

They failed.

===>If they had studied, they would have passed the exam. They

wouldn’t have failed.

They wouldn’t have failed. They would have passed the exam If they

had studied.

I didn’t meet you at the station because I didn’t know you were coming.

===>If I had known you were coming, I would have met you at the station.

I would have met you at the station if I had known you were coming.

If she had come to school yesterday, she would have done the test.

She would have done the test if she had come to school yesterday.

But she didn’t come to school yesterday, so she didn’t do the test.

If she hadn’t worked hard, she wouldn’t have passed her exam.

She wouldn’t have passed her exam if she hadn’t worked hard.

But she worked hard, so she passed her exam.

If I had studied harder I would have got a better job.

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CONDITIONALS 2 : TYPE 1 , TYPE 2 AND TYPE 3

CONDITIONALS 2 : TYPE 1 , TYPE 2 AND TYPE 3

Students sometimes have difficulty with conditional sentences, either

because they cannot find the appropriate type of condition to suit

the situation, or because they make mistakes with the sequence of

tenses. Here, I’ll only be dealing with the three basic types of

condition, commonly referred to as Type 1, Type 2 and Type 3.

CONDITIONAL TYPE 2

TYPE 2

PRESENT CONDITIONAL

UNREAL PRESENT

Unfortunately, we cannot always do the things we would like to do,

but this does not stop us from imagining or dreaming about what

we would do if circumstances permitted. Let us look at Sam’s case.

He is a student, with very little free time, who often day-dreams:

I’d (would) go out with my friends. But the reality is that

I don’t go out with my friends because I have very little free time.

I’d (would) read a lot of books. But I don’t read a lot of books

because of the very little time I have.

I’d (watch) watch more films. But in fact I watch fewer films.

If I had more free time, I’d (would) read a lot of books.

I’d (would) go out with my friends If I had more free time.

These activities are not possible at the moment because Sam

doesn’t have enough free time. He is just imagining the things

he would do if circumstances were different.

Summary:

When is conditional type 2 used?

When we imagine the consequences of present or future activities

and situations which are not very probable or which do not even exist.

1.To talk about the present when the event in the if-clause is not

true because of the circumstances(impossible present situations):

I could go on a world tour if I was / were rich. ( Now / in fact /

in reality I'm not rich.)

Going on a world tour is merely a dream.

2. To talk about the future when the event in the if-clause is

unlikely to happen due to circumstances (imagined events in the

future, which are impossible, unreal or unlikely):

I’d buy a limousine if I got that job. (I don't think / it’s unlikely

that I will get the job.)

Buying a limousine will be impossible because I won’t get that job.

If I went by train now, I would get there earlier. (present)

If they flew tomorrow, they would be able to see the festival. (future)

If I had more money, I would lend you some. (present)

To conclude, the second conditional / present conditional describes

imaginary or unlikely situations.

Which tenses do we need?

1. If + simple past + I would (do)

I would (do) + if + simple past

If he were rich he would buy a big house.

He would buy a big house if he were rich. (But he isn’t rich, so

he can’t buy a big house.)

If she were a doctor, she would help sick people.

She would help sick people if she were a doctor.

If they lived in the city, they would go to the cinema more often

If we went to live in England, we’d (would) learn English very quickly.

If I were you, I would go to bed earlier.

2. If + simple past + I could / might (do)

I could / might (do) + if + simple past

If you tried again, you would succeed.

If you tried again, you might succeed.

You might succeed if you tried again.

If you tried again, you could succeed.

You could succeed if you tried again.

If he applied for the post, he would get it.

If she studied a bit harder, she could succeed.

If you asked him, he might help you.

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