Impossible Condition: These sentences contain a conditional clause that was not fulfilled in the past. Since the condition was not fulfilled in the past, the consequence failed to occur in the past.
A conditional clause containing an impossible condition is formed by the use of the past perfect tense in the If clause and would/ could/ might + perfect in the main clause.
Common Sequence of Tenses/ Structure of Type - III
If + ... + Past perfect ... would/ should/ could/ might + perfect ...
Example:
If clause - Main clause
eg: If I had worked harder, I would have passed my exams.
(Meaning: I didn't work hard. So I didn't pass the exam)
The above two situations are the references of past action. So to refer to two failed/ unfulfilled past actions we use this type of conditional.
Study the following example situation to have a better idea.
Last month Sujatha was in hospital for an operation. Sarada didn't know this, so she didn't go to visit her. They met a few days ago.
Sarada said:
"If I had known you were in hospital, I would have gone to visit you".
DIETCET Material - English Grammar
Unreal/ Hypothetical Condition:
In these sentences, the conditional clause represents a condition that may be hypothetical/ imaginary or unreal.
These conditional clauses can refer either to the present or future. When this type of clause refers to the present, it is 'contrary' to assumption, and when it refers to the future, it is 'contrary to
expectation'.
eg: If I were the Education Minister, I would abolish grammar teaching.
Present: The assumption is that the speaker is not the Education Minister.
If some one tried to blackmail me, I would tell the police.
Future: But I don't expect that any one will try to blackmail me.
(Study the following example situation to have a clear idea on the usage of this clause.
Rita wants to phone Venkatesh but she can't do this because she doesn't know his mobile number.
She says: "If I knew his number, I would phone him."
This tells us that she doesn't know his number. She is imagining the situation. The real situation
is that she doesn't know his number.)
When we imagine a situation like this we use: If + Past (If I found/ If I were). But the meaning here is present,
not past.
Some More Examples
If he spoke more clearly, people would understand him.
If it weren't raining, we could have lunch in the garden.
If I were rich, I would spend all my time travelling.
Common Sequence Of Tenses/ Structure of Type - II
If + .... + Simple past + ... would / could/ might..
(If clause) (Main clause)
In these sentences, the conditional clause represents a condition that may be hypothetical/ imaginary or unreal.
These conditional clauses can refer either to the present or future. When this type of clause refers to the present, it is 'contrary' to assumption, and when it refers to the future, it is 'contrary to
expectation'.
eg: If I were the Education Minister, I would abolish grammar teaching.
Present: The assumption is that the speaker is not the Education Minister.
If some one tried to blackmail me, I would tell the police.
Future: But I don't expect that any one will try to blackmail me.
(Study the following example situation to have a clear idea on the usage of this clause.
Rita wants to phone Venkatesh but she can't do this because she doesn't know his mobile number.
She says: "If I knew his number, I would phone him."
This tells us that she doesn't know his number. She is imagining the situation. The real situation
is that she doesn't know his number.)
When we imagine a situation like this we use: If + Past (If I found/ If I were). But the meaning here is present,
not past.
Some More Examples
If he spoke more clearly, people would understand him.
If it weren't raining, we could have lunch in the garden.
If I were rich, I would spend all my time travelling.
Common Sequence Of Tenses/ Structure of Type - II
If + .... + Simple past + ... would / could/ might..
(If clause) (Main clause)
DIETCET Study Material - English Grammar
Conditionals - If Clause
'Conditional' is a sentence that consists of a conditional clause and a consequence clause.
- Learner's Grammar Dictionary
Conditional is a sentence or clause that begins with 'If' or 'Unless' and expresses a condition.
- Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
A conditional clause is a type of adverbial clause.
The most common conditional clause is the 'If clause'. Not all conditional clauses are If clauses.
'If' introduces a condition something which may or may not happen.
The If clause usually comes before the main clause. But it may come after the main clause also.
EXAMPLES:
Conditional Clause - Main Clause
If it rains, we will get wet.
If I were a bird, I would fly.
If I had arrived early, I would have caught the train.
Type - I: Open or Possible Condition
In these sentences, the conditional clauses
(If clause) represent open conditions, that is the conditions that may or may not be fulfilled.
Conditions of this sort are sometimes labelled as 'probable'.
eg: If we win today, we'll go to the top position.
(We may win or we may not)
Common Sequence of Tenses/ Structure of Type-I
If + Present simple .... can/ will/ shall/ may/ might/ ought to/ should.
(If clause) (Main clause)
Some Examples:
If clause - Main clause
If you study hard, you can pass the exam.
If we hurry, we will catch the train.
If it rains, we shall stay at home.
If you are ill, you should see a doctor.
NOTE: It is not possible to have a model verb
(eg: will/ would/ could etc) in both the conditional If clause and the main clause.
If we'll hurry, we'll catch the train. (incorrect)
If we hurry, we'll catch the train. (correct)
EXCEPTION
It is possible to have a model verb in the 'If clause' when it is a polite request and not
a condition.
eg: If you'll look after my suitcase, I'll go and buy a ticket.
(Meaning: I request you to look after my suitcase.)
I would be grateful, if you could arrange the meeting next week.
(Meaning: I request you to arrange the meeting)
Present Simple in both the Clauses
We sometimes use the present simple in both the clauses to refer to the present action.
eg: If I eat cheese, it gives me indigestion.
If water freezes, it turns to ice.
'Conditional' is a sentence that consists of a conditional clause and a consequence clause.
- Learner's Grammar Dictionary
Conditional is a sentence or clause that begins with 'If' or 'Unless' and expresses a condition.
- Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
A conditional clause is a type of adverbial clause.
The most common conditional clause is the 'If clause'. Not all conditional clauses are If clauses.
'If' introduces a condition something which may or may not happen.
The If clause usually comes before the main clause. But it may come after the main clause also.
EXAMPLES:
Conditional Clause - Main Clause
If it rains, we will get wet.
If I were a bird, I would fly.
If I had arrived early, I would have caught the train.
Type - I: Open or Possible Condition
In these sentences, the conditional clauses
(If clause) represent open conditions, that is the conditions that may or may not be fulfilled.
Conditions of this sort are sometimes labelled as 'probable'.
eg: If we win today, we'll go to the top position.
(We may win or we may not)
Common Sequence of Tenses/ Structure of Type-I
If + Present simple .... can/ will/ shall/ may/ might/ ought to/ should.
(If clause) (Main clause)
Some Examples:
If clause - Main clause
If you study hard, you can pass the exam.
If we hurry, we will catch the train.
If it rains, we shall stay at home.
If you are ill, you should see a doctor.
NOTE: It is not possible to have a model verb
(eg: will/ would/ could etc) in both the conditional If clause and the main clause.
If we'll hurry, we'll catch the train. (incorrect)
If we hurry, we'll catch the train. (correct)
EXCEPTION
It is possible to have a model verb in the 'If clause' when it is a polite request and not
a condition.
eg: If you'll look after my suitcase, I'll go and buy a ticket.
(Meaning: I request you to look after my suitcase.)
I would be grateful, if you could arrange the meeting next week.
(Meaning: I request you to arrange the meeting)
Present Simple in both the Clauses
We sometimes use the present simple in both the clauses to refer to the present action.
eg: If I eat cheese, it gives me indigestion.
If water freezes, it turns to ice.
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