Form
condition clause*, result clause
result clause + condition clause
There are different types of conditionals
Conditionals are sometimes classified as zero, first, second and third conditionals
First conditional
If they offer me the job, I’ll take it.
Future condition, future result.
Second conditional
If they offered me the job, I would take it.
Imaginary or unreal condition (present or future), imaginary or unreal result (present or future).
Third conditional
If they had offered me the job, I would have taken it.
Unreal condition in the past, unreal result in the past.
Zero conditional
If I go for an interview, I always do some research on the company first.
Generally true condition, generally true result.
If we worked weekends, we were paid a bonus.
Generally true condition in the past, generally true result in the past.
Another way is to distinguish between NORMAL & SPECIAL use of tenses Michael Swan, Practical English Usage (OUP), suggests classifying conditional sentences into two main kinds:
Conditionals with ordinary (normal) use of tenses
If I have time later, I will call you.
Conditionals with special use of tenses
If we had more time, we could go to the museum.
Conditional sentences can be made without if
Conditionals with other words instead of if
Should you see Peter, could you ask him to call me.
If you see Peter, could you ask him to call me.
Supposing you lost your job, what would you do?
If you lost your job, what would you do?
Imagine you could live anywhere you liked. Where would you go?
If you could live anywhere you liked. where would you go?
Conditionals with inverted structures instead of if
Were he to refuse, you would be in a difficult position.
If he refused, you would be in a difficult position.
Had she known about the noise, she wouldn’t have moved in.
If she had known about the noise, she wouldn’t have moved in.
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