Conditional sentences

Conditional sentences have two parts: the condition (the if clause) and the result (the main clause). In English the type of conditional depends on how real the situation is and on its time: a general truth, a real future possibility, an imaginary present situation, or a past possibility that never happened. Uzbek expresses almost all of these with the suffix -sa, but English has a separate tense pattern for each. Exams test choosing the verb forms, rewriting sentences and I wish structures; in Speaking and Writing, conditionals are valued for expressing hypotheses and suggestions.

§1. The structure of conditionals and the Zero Conditional

The order of the clauses is flexible: If it rains, we stay at home. = We stay at home if it rains. When the if clause comes first, it is followed by a comma; when it comes second, no comma is needed.

The Zero Conditional expresses general truths, laws of nature and results that always follow. If the condition is met, the result is always the same.

• If you heat ice, it melts.
• If I drink coffee at night, I can’t sleep.
• If you press this button, the machine stops.

Here if can be replaced by when with no change in meaning: When you heat ice, it melts.

§2. The First Conditional — a real future

The First Conditional describes a future situation that may really happen and its result.

• If it rains tomorrow, we will stay at home.
• If you study hard, you’ll pass the exam.

The if clause does not take will, even though the meaning is future: ✗ If it will rain → ✓ If it rains. This is the same rule as for time clauses (no will after when or as soon as either).

The main clause may contain a modal or an imperative instead of will:

• If you see Anvar, tell him to call me.
• If you’re tired, you can go home.
• If the weather is good, we might go hiking.

Worked example

If she ___ (not / hurry), she ___ (miss) the bus.

1. The situation is real: she may well not hurry — First Conditional.
2. The if clause takes the Present Simple; subject she, negative → doesn’t hurry.
3. The main clause takes will + V → will miss.
4. Answer: If she doesn’t hurry, she will miss the bus.

§3. The Second Conditional — an imaginary present or future

The Second Conditional imagines a situation that is not true now or is very unlikely.

• If I had a million dollars, I would travel around the world. (in reality I don’t)
• If I lived by the sea, I would swim every day. (in reality I don’t live there)

The form is past, but the meaning is present or future: the past tense here signals distance from reality.

to be is usually were for all persons (especially in writing and in exams): If I were you, I would apologise. This phrase is the standard way to give advice.

First or Second? If the situation is realistic, use the First: If I find your keys, I’ll call you. If it is unlikely or imaginary, use the Second: If I found a wallet in the street, I’d take it to the police.

Worked example

If I ___ (know) his number, I ___ (call) him. (I don’t know his number.)

1. In reality I don’t know the number — an imaginary present situation, Second Conditional.
2. The if clause takes the Past Simple: knew.
3. The main clause takes would + V: would call.
4. Answer: If I knew his number, I would call him.

§4. The Third Conditional — an unreal past

The Third Conditional describes something that did not happen in the past and its imaginary result. It is used for regret, criticism and analysing the past.

• If I had studied harder, I would have passed the exam. (in fact I didn’t study and I failed)
• If she had left earlier, she wouldn’t have been late.

The main clause may use could have or might have instead of would have: If we had known, we could have helped.

Worked example

If we ___ (leave) earlier, we ___ (not / miss) the flight.

1. The sentence is about the past: we left late and missed the flight.
2. An unreal past condition → Third Conditional.
3. The if clause takes the Past Perfect: had left.
4. The main clause takes would have + V3, negative: wouldn’t have missed.
5. Answer: If we had left earlier, we wouldn’t have missed the flight.

§5. Mixed conditionals and I wish

Mixed conditionals are used when the condition and the result refer to different times:

• Past condition → present result: If I had taken the job, I would be rich now.
• Present state → past result: If I spoke French, I would have understood him.

`I wish / If only` express regret about the present or the past:

can → could: I wish I could swim.

§6. Other linkers and an exam routine

• provided/providing (that), as long as — only on this condition: You can borrow my car as long as you drive carefully.
• in case — as a precaution: Take an umbrella in case it rains.
• suppose/supposing — imagine that.
• Inversion (formal, without if): Had I known, I would have come. Should you need help, call me. Were I you, I would accept.

Routine:

1. A general truth? → Zero.
2. A real future possibility? → First (no will in the if clause).
3. An imaginary present? → Second (if + past, would + V).
4. An unreal past? → Third (if + had V3, would have V3).
5. Mixed times (now and the past)? → Mixed.

Check yourself

1. If you mix red and white, you ___ (get) pink.

2. If I ___ (see) him tomorrow, I’ll give him the book.

3. If I ___ (be) taller, I would play basketball.

4. She would have come if you ___ (invite) her.

5. I wish I ___ (can) swim.

6. If he had saved money, he ___ (have) a car now.

7. You won’t get a ticket ___ you book now. (if / unless)

8. If I were you, I ___ (accept) the offer.

Common mistakes

• will/would in the if clause: ✗ If I will see, ✗ If I would have known → ✓ If I see, If I had known.
• V2 in the Third Conditional: ✗ would have went → ✓ would have gone.
• A double negative with unless: ✗ unless you don’t study → ✓ unless you study.
• Confusing the Second and Third — check the time: present (Second) or past (Third)?
• A present tense after I wish: ✗ I wish I know → ✓ I wish I knew.
• Missing the comma when the if clause comes first.