Dobi Apps

English grammar

Conditionals

Zero, first, second, third and mixed conditional sentences, unless, as if, and the unreal past.

Lessons

  1. 1If and the Unreal PastIn this section you will find information on sentences containing the word 'if', the use of conditional tenses, and the 'unreal past', that is, when we use…3 min read
  2. 2Zero ConditionalIn 'zero' conditional sentences, the tense in both parts of the sentence is the simple present: NOTE: The order of the clauses is not fixed - the 'if'…1 min read
  3. 3Type 1 Conditional with IFIn a Type 1 conditional sentence, the tense in the 'if' clause is the simple present, and the tense in the main clause is the simple future In these…1 min read
  4. 4Forming the Type 2 ConditionalIn a Type 2 conditional sentence, the tense in the 'if' clause is the simple past, and the tense in the main clause is the present conditional: The present…2 min read
  5. 5Type 2 Conditional SentencesIn type 2 conditional sentences, the continuous form of the present conditional may be used: If I were a millionaire, I wouldn't be doing this job!2 min read
  6. 6Type 3 Conditional SentencesIn a Type 3 conditional sentence, the tense in the 'if' clause is the past perfect, and the tense in the main clause is the perfect conditional: The perfect…3 min read
  7. 7Perfect ConditionalThis tense is composed of two elements: the perfect condtional of the verb 'to be' (would have been) + the present participle (base+ing). This tense can be…2 min read
  8. 8Mixed Conditional SentencesIt is possible for the two parts of a conditional sentence to refer to different times, and the resulting sentence is a "mixed conditional" sentence. There…3 min read
  9. 9Using UNLESS in Conditional SentencesUnless means the same as if...not. Like if, it is followed by a present tense, a past tense or a past perfect (never by 'would'). It is used instead of if +…1 min read
  10. 10Uses of the Unreal Past TenseThe past tense is sometimes used in English to refer to an 'unreal' situation. So, although the tense is the past, we are usually talking about the present…4 min read
  11. 11Conjunctions: TimeWhen, after, before, until, since, while, once, as and as soon as are subordinating conjunctions which can be used to connect an action or an event to a…3 min read
  12. 12As If/ as ThoughClauses that start with as if / as though describe an unreal or improbable situation if they are followed by an unreal tense (the past subjunctive or the…2 min read