Conditional Sentence / If-Clauses Type I, II and III

Conditional Sentences are also known as Conditional Clauses or If Clauses. They are use to express that the action in the main clause (without if) can only take place if a certain condition (in the clause with if) is fullfiled. There are 3 types of Conditional Sentences.

Uses of the Conditional Sentences

First conditional

Nature: Open condition, what is said in the condition is possible.
Time: This condition refers either to present or to future time.
e.g. If he is late, we will have to go without him.
If my mother knows about this, we are in serious trouble.

Second conditional

Nature: unreal (impossible) or improbable situations.
Time: present; the TENSE is past, but we are talking about the present, now.
e.g. If I knew her name, I would tell you.
If I were you, I would tell my father.
Compare: If I become president, I will change the social security system. (Said by a presidential candidate)

If I became president, I would change the social security system. (Said by a schoolboy: improbable)

If we win this match, we are qualified for the semifinals.

If I won a million pounds, I would stop teaching. (improbable)

1. First conditional: If I have enough money, I will go to Japan.

2. Second conditional:If I had enough money, I would go to Japan.

3. Third conditional:If I had had enough money, I would have gone to Japan.

Conditional Clause and Main Clause

If I have enough money, (conditional clause) I will go to Japan.(main clause)

I will go to Japan, (main clause) if I have enough money. (conditional clause)