Conditionals

Conditional sentences have got two parts, a condition and a result:

If you study,		you will pass.
Condition		Result

The result can also precede the condition:

You will pass,		if you study.
Result		Condition

The condition part usually starts with if. There are different kinds of conditional sentences that use different tenses.

Zero Conditional:

Used for things that are generally true:

If + present.................present:

If I have problems,		I phone home.
Condition		Result

First Conditional:

Used for possible situations:

If + present.................future:

If I have problems,		I will phone you.
Condition		Result

Second Conditional:

Used for imaginary situations:

If + past......................would:

If I had problems,		I would phone you.
Condition		Result

Third Conditional:

Used for impossible situations:

If + past perfect....would have + participle:

If I had had problems,		I would have phoned you.
Condition		Result