Conditional Sentences

Conditional sentences are used to describe things that are not real yet, or that will never be real.
Conditional sentences consist of two parts: the main clause and the if-clause. The if-clause expresses a condition, on which the main clause becomes true or would have become true in the past. There are three different types of conditional sentences:
Type I: real conditions "If the weather is good tomorrow, we will go hiking."
Type II: unreal conditions "If I was a bird, I would fly in the sky."
Type III: unreal conditions in the past "If you had told me before, I would have helped you."
Be careful: NEVER USE "WOULD" IN AN IF-CLAUSE!
To find out more about how to form conditional sentences, take a look at the sub-pages.
To gain a general understanding of which type is which, try out the following exercise! If you find the exercise too difficult right now, first read through the other pages and then return to this exercise.
 
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  1. If he had known Jane earlier, he might not be married to Heather now.
     
  2. If you knew her, you would believe that she would never do that.
     
  3. If you had helped me search for it, I might have found my bag earlier.
     
  4. If I find my keys, we can leave in a minute.
     
  5. If you decide to come with me, you will be able to meet my best friend.
     
  6. If you want to catch the last bus, you should hurry.
     
  7. If I had known that earlier, I would not have missed the bus.
     
  8. If he had not worn his sunglasses, everyone would have recognized him.
     
  9. If I was a child, I would go and play on that playground over there now.
     
  10. If he had not left the house in the evening, he would have been there when the robber broke in.
     
  11. If I had not forgotten my book at home, I would not be so bored right now.
     
  12. If you were very rich, what would you do with your money?
     
  13. If he and I were friends, I could go over now and ask him to help me.
     
  14. If I were you, I would go and talk to her.
     
 
 
 

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