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.
Pages - Menu
▼
Pages
▼
Pages - Menu
▼
Sunday, 5 July 2009
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.
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.