Conditionals

20 words

1. 1

   If + past perfect, might + have + past participlegrammar

   Used to talk about a possible past result that could have happened if a past condition had been different.

   “If they had left earlier, they might have caught the train.”

2. 2

   If + past perfect, would + Vgrammar

   Used to talk about a past condition whose result affects the present (a mixed conditional): if the past had been different, the present would be different.

   “If I had accepted that job offer, I would be living in London now.”

3. 3

   If + present simple, should + Vgrammar

   Used to give advice or recommendations in general contexts or academic suggestions (common in Task 2 proposals).

   “If schools focus on critical thinking, students should perform better in exams.”

4. 4

   Unless + past perfect, would have + past participlegrammar

   Used to express a past conditional with 'unless' (if not) — equivalent to 'If ... had not ...' — to talk about past outcomes.

   “Unless he had apologised, she would have refused to meet him.”

5. 5

   If + present perfect, can + Vgrammar

   Use this when a past action is completed and its present result allows the main clause action (common for permission or instructions).

   “If you have submitted the form, you can close this tab.”

6. 6

   If + past perfect continuous, would have + past participlegrammar

   Used to describe a continuous past situation (an action that had been happening before a past point) and its hypothetical past result.

   “If she had been practising more, she would have passed the concert audition.”

7. 7

   If + subject + could + V, would + Vgrammar

   Expresses hypothetical ability in the present or unreal situations; often for wishes about what one could do.

   “If I could speak Spanish, I would apply for that exchange programme.”

8. 8

   If + past perfect, could have + past participlegrammar

   Used to express that, if a past condition had been met, it would have made something possible in the past (emphasises possibility/ability with 'could have').

   “If she had taken the earlier train, she could have arrived on time.”

9. 9

   Had + subject + been + V-ing, would have + past participlegrammar

   An inverted, slightly more formal way to form a third conditional with continuous aspect: equivalent to 'If + subject + had been + V-ing'.

   “Had they been training harder, they would have won the tournament.”

10. 10

    What if + clausegrammar

    Ask about the consequences of a hypothetical situation; used for suggestions, worries or counterfactuals about present/past.

    “What if we missed the deadline — how would we explain it?”

11. 11

    If + subject + were + adj, would + Vgrammar

    Second conditional: used for unreal or unlikely present situations; 'were' is used (formal subjunctive) for all subjects, main clause uses 'would + base verb'.

    “If I were taller, I would play basketball professionally.”

12. 12

    If + present simple, may + Vgrammar

    Use to express a possible (but not certain) outcome in the future when the if-clause condition is met.

    “If it rains, we may cancel the picnic.”

13. 13

    If + subject + had + to + V, would + Vgrammar

    Expresses a hypothetical obligation or necessity; the if-clause uses 'had to' to indicate being obliged to do something under that hypothetical condition.

    “If I had to move for work, I would look for a neighbourhood with good schools.”

14. 14

    If + subject + were to + have + past participle, would have + past participlegrammar

    A formal, highly hypothetical way to talk about a past unreal situation; similar in meaning to a past conditional but using 'were to have' to stress hypotheticality.

    “If he were to have attended the conference, he would have learned a lot.”

15. 15

    Imagine + (that) + clause / Imagine + -inggrammar

    Ask someone to picture a situation or present a hypothetical scenario; often used to describe or invent situations.

    “Imagine moving to a city where you don't know anyone; how would you adapt?”

16. 16

    If + present simple, have to + Vgrammar

    Use when a condition makes something necessary; 'have to' expresses obligation or necessity as a result of the if-clause.

    “If you want to pass the test, you have to study regularly.”

17. 17

    If + present simple, might + Vgrammar

    Used to indicate a less certain possibility in the future compared with 'may'.

    “If he practises every day, he might pass the exam.”

18. 18

    If + present perfect, may + Vgrammar

    Use when the condition involves an action completed by a certain time (present perfect in if-clause) and the main clause expresses a possible outcome.

    “If you have submitted the application, you may receive an answer next week.”

19. 19

    If + subject + could have + past participle, would have + past participlegrammar

    Expresses past possibility/regret: if something could have happened (but didn't), then a different past outcome would have occurred — common in colloquial speech to stress what might have been possible.

    “If I could have chosen, I would have picked the scholarship instead.”

20. 20

    Only if + present simple, will + Vgrammar

    When 'Only if' starts a sentence to mean 'only when', the main clause often inverts auxiliary + subject for emphasis (e.g., Only if X will Y).

    “Only if you study hard will you pass the exam.”