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Conditionals

conditionals
punctuation

Conditional sentences usually consist of a subordinate if-clause and a main clause. The order of the clauses is optional, but if the if-clause is first, a comma is used to separate the two clauses:

You might have been accepted if you had applied earlier.
If you had applied earlier, you might have been accepted.

If the if-clause is first, we can use then in the main clause:

If you had applied earlier, then you might have been accepted.

Conditionals and inversion

conditionals
inversion
BE TO
IF
SHOULD
WILL
WOULD

In formal English, the subject and the auxiliary can be inverted in the if-clause with if omitted:

Conditionals and unreal tenses in indirect speech

conditionals
indirect speech
IF

When we report conditionals and statements that refer to unreal situations, some tenses and modals may change if the reported words are no longer true or are out-of-date.

First conditional

clauses
conditionals
future
IF
WILL

if + present tense | will + infinitive

The first conditional describes a probable future situation. If the condition is fulfilled, the action in the main clause is likely to happen:

IF, EVEN IF, ONLY IF, AS LONG AS, PROVIDED, SUPPOSING, UNLESS, BUT FOR, IF NECESSARY, IF SO, IN CASE etc.

clauses
conditionals
emphasis
inversion
IF

IF and WHEN

When can replace if in zero conditionals:

If you heat water to 100 degrees Celsius, it boils.
When you heat water to 100 degrees Celsius, it boils.

In the other types of conditionals, we cannot use when instead of if.

Imperatives in the first conditional

conditionals
IF

Imperatives can be used to replace either clause of the first conditional:

If you've done the dishes, please mop the floor.
Tidy up your room, and you can go out to play football with your friends.

Less likely conditions

conditionals
unlikelihood
unreal situations
BE TO
SHOULD

First conditional

In the first conditional, happen to and should can be used in the if-clause to express that something is possible but not very likely:

If you happen to see Kate, say hi from me.
If you should see Kate, say hi from me.

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