The Infamous Conditionals

Lots of people seem to have problems with conditionals. I think it's because the basic tenses have never been learned properly, students have never been told how to really really use them so it drags to the conditional use. So it's not your fault if you still have problems using them. The not exhaustive posting here should help you have a clearer idea on how to use the infamous conditionals!

(Below you'll see the word likely, what does it mean? something is likely to happen= es probable que ...)

Something that is very important to bear in mind when choosing what conditional type to use is what you have in mind , what you want to convey/express. Think about:

How likely is it?

a. it’s always like this!

b. it’s very likely (if the condition happens and it probably will)

c. not likely / impossible (that's why we always give the example of the lottery, cos it's almost impossible to win the lottery!)

d. impossible now because you are going to say something about / in the past

and When , the moment in time it happens/ will happen / would happen…

a. I am talking about sth that is always like this

b. Refers to now , It will likely happen in the future

c. It refers to now, a present situation (but hypothetical condition)

d. It refers to the past (recent or far)

Each of these options will , or should, help you choose between a combinations of tenses to for the most suitable conditional type depending your message.

Besides, the tense combination can not be altered.

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The so-called first conditional:

It’s not a true conditional, because the IF is not exactly a condition. It’d be better to use WHEN instead.

The two events happen. It’s a FACT, A UNIVERSAL TRUTH, SOMETHING GENERAL.

The present simple tense is the one which describes facts and truths and permanent things. So it makes sense that both clauses are present simple.

If present simple > present simple

If you heat water to 100º C , it boils.

when i finish early , i (always) go to the libary for a little while.

It refers to likely events in the (near) FUTURE if the condition is met (if sth happens).

VERY LIKELY TO HAPPEN.

If / unless / providing … present simple /, future

If I finish early , I will pick you up.

The second:

It refers to unlikely / impossible or almost impossible situations NOW. It’s an unreal current situation.

This is where the I wish could come into play… (Remember: I wish SVO … means “Ojalá”)

If past simple , conditional (would , could…+infinitive)

If I finished early , I would come and pick you up

If I could ski, I would go skiing often.

The third conditional:

It refers to a completely hypothetical situation because you are saying it now but it refers to PAST condition and past outcome. There is nothing you can do about it now. You can not change the past. So it’s unreal too.

If past perfect , would have participle

If I had known this (but i didnt know it), I would have asked to lead the project (now it's too late).

And there's still the mixed conditionals, to be posted later!