Retour au programme
Conditional sentences express possible or hypothetical situations and their consequences.
🔹 Type 1 — Real / Possible condition (present/future) :
If + present simple, will + infinitive
• Meaning : real possibility in the future
• Ex : If you study hard, you will pass the exam.
🔹 Type 2 — Unreal / Hypothetical (present/future) :
If + past simple, would + infinitive
• Meaning : imaginary situation now or in the future
• Ex : If I were rich, I would build a school.
• Note : use 'were' for all persons (If I were / he were / she were)
🔹 Type 3 — Impossible / Past regret :
If + past perfect, would have + past participle
• Meaning : imagining a different past
• Ex : If she had studied, she would have passed.
🔹 Mixed conditional :
If + past perfect (past), would + infinitive (present)
• Meaning : past condition with present consequence
• Ex : If I had slept, I wouldn't be so tired now.
🔹 Unless, as long as, provided that :
• Unless = if not : Unless you hurry, you'll miss the bus.
• As long as : I'll lend you the book as long as you return it.
• Provided that : You can go out provided that you finish your homework.
📝 Identify the type and complete :
1. If it _______ (rain) tomorrow, we _______ (stay) at home. → rains / will stay (Type 1)
2. If I _______ (be) the president, I _______ (invest) in education. → were / would invest (Type 2)
3. If she _______ (arrive) on time, she _______ (not / miss) the presentation. → had arrived / wouldn't have missed (Type 3)
4. If I _______ (eat) breakfast, I _______ (not / be) hungry now. → had eaten / wouldn't be (Mixed)
📝 Rewrite using 'unless' :
1. 'If you don't work hard, you will fail.' → Unless you work hard, you will fail.
2. 'If it doesn't stop raining, we won't go out.' → Unless it stops raining, we won't go out.
What is the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 conditionals?
Correction
Type 1 describes a real, possible situation ('If it rains, I'll take an umbrella' — it might actually rain). Type 2 describes an imaginary, hypothetical situation ('If I were a bird, I would fly to Paris' — I am not a bird).
Why do we use 'were' (not 'was') in Type 2 conditionals?
Correction
In formal and standard English, 'were' is used for all persons in Type 2 conditionals (subjunctive mood): 'If I were you...', 'If she were here...'. It signals that the situation is hypothetical, not real.
Write a Type 3 conditional about a past mistake.
Correction
If I had revised my notes, I would have done better in the test. / If she had arrived earlier, she would not have missed the bus.
Explain the mixed conditional and give an example.
Correction
A mixed conditional combines a Type 3 condition (past) with a Type 2 result (present). It shows how a past event affects the present situation. Example: 'If I had taken that job, I would be living in Dakar now.'
Rewrite: 'Study hard or you'll fail.' using a Type 1 conditional.
Correction
If you don't study hard, you will fail. OR Unless you study hard, you will fail.