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Variation in verb tenses
Conditional sentences
Variation in verb tenses
There are many possible sequences of tense in conditional sentences, but the four commonest and the most useful ones are represented as the four types of conditional sentences:
1.0. Type 0: real condition
These sentences are statements of universal truth or general validity in the present or past. Statements in this form commonly appear in factual discussions or explanatory (particularly scientific and technical) material.
The tense form of the verbs is determined by the time reference.
present + present for what is always true:
If you heat ice, it melts.
If I make a promise, I keep it.
If the water is boiling/has boiled, it means the food is nearly ready.
past + past for situations in the past
If he made a promise he kept it.
If it was snowing, we stayed at home.
In this type of sentence, if corresponds closely in meaning to when(ever).
1.1.Type 1: real condition referring to the future (open condition)
In these sentences, the conditional clauses represent 'open' conditions; that is, conditions that may or may not be fulfilled. We make such statements when the action or event mentioned in the conditional clause appears likely to happen.
The commonest sequence of tenses in this type of sentence is:
If clausemain clause
present tense Future
(simple, continuous, Modal verb
or perfect) Imperative
If we catch the 10 o'clock train, we shall get there by lunch-time.
If you wake up before me, give me a call.
If you keep driving like that, you're going to have an accident.
If she has finished work by 4 o’clock, she will go home.
1.1.1. Type 1: variations
1.1.1. if (you) should
In a real conditional sentence, we use if…should, if…happen to, or if...should happen to to talk about something which may be possible, but is not very likely.
We may call this a condition of remote possibility, and this variation can be used in any conditional clause of this first type. If…happen to is most common in spoken English:
If you happen to be in our area, drop in and see us.
If we should miss the 10 o'clock train, we shan't get there till after lunch.
It is possible to substitute by any chance for should, without changing the meaning
If by any chance -we miss the 10 o'clock train, we shan't get there till after lunch.
1.1.2. if (you) will/would
Will is not used in the conditional clause as an auxiliary indicating future, even though the sentence has a future time reference. Will can only be used as a modal verb to introduce the idea of 'your' agreeing, or being willing, to do what is suggested.'
In this meaning will is used:
- in polite requests meaning if you agree
If you will reserve seats, we shall be sure of a comfortable journey.
If you will/would wait here, I'll see if Mrs Green is free.
- for emphasis, meaning 'insist on doing'
If you will stay out late, no wonder you are tired! (insist on staying out)
- when we talk about a result of something in the main clause
Open a window if it will help you to sleep, or...if it helps you to sleep. ('Helping you to sleep' is the result of opening the window.)
1.1.3. Type 1: alternative forms
Imperative + and/or clause
We can use the imperative construction as an equivalent to an if clause
If you fail to pay, they will cut off the electricity.
= Fail to pay and they will cut off the electricity.
If you don’t stop borrowing money, you will be in trouble.
= Stop borrowing money or you will be in trouble.
We generally follow the imperative with and in place of an affirmative if-clause, and with or in place of a negative if-clause.
1.2. Type 2: tentative, hypothetical and unreal conditions (unreal present or future)
In these sentences, the conditional clauses represent what is possible, hypothetical/imaginary, or contrary to present fact.
a. If we caught the 10 o'clock train, we would (could, might) get there by lunch-time. (tentative situation)
a. If you were driving from London to Glasgow, which way would you go?
b. If I came into a fortune, I would give up working. (imaginary)
c. If I knew how it worked, I could tell you what to do. (unreal)
c. If you had longer legs you would be able to run faster. (unreal)
The sentences represent three points on a scale of decreasing probability, from a suppositional or tentative but possible, to b hypothetical but not impossible, to с contrary to present fact, and hence unreal; but formally they are identical: they all have the same sequence of tenses:
If clausemain clause
past tense would + present infinitive
(simple or continuous) modal + present infinitive
The past verb form in the conditional clause represents the attitude of the speaker towards the condition; it does not represent time, which is indicated (if at all) by other elements in the context or situation.
1.2.1. the verb to be in the if-clause
The verb to be usually takes the form were for all persons in Type 2 conditionals in formal style, though was is used in everyday speech.
If I was better qualified I would apply for the job.
If I were better qualified I would apply for the job. (more formal)
We also prefer were when expressing doubt or imagining something
If I were the Queen of Sheba, you would be King Solomon.
We use If I were you … If I were in your position to give advice
If I were in Jane’s positions I would look for a new job.
1.2.2. Type 2: variations
1.2.2. were to + infinitive
We sometimes use were to + infinitive in the conditional clause to emphasize the suppositional nature of the condition, and it is in some ways analogous to the use of should in conditional clauses in Type 1: we can often substitute by any chance without changing the meaning:
If we were to miss the 10 o'clock train, we wouldn't get there till after lunch.
If by any chance we missed the 10 o'clock train, we wouldn't get there till after lunch.
We sometimes use this pattern to make a suggestion sound more polite:
If you were to move over, we could all sit on the sofa.
!!! Notice that we can't use this pattern with many verbs that describe a state, including know, like, remember, understand:
If I knew they were honest, I'd gladly lend them the money, (not If I were to know...)
If you would
We use would as a modal verb, which represents a more tentative (or 'polite') form of will as used in conditional clauses of Type 1. It introduces the idea of 'your' agreeing, or being willing, to do what is suggested. (see 1.1.2)
If you would reserve seats, we would be sure of a comfortable journey.
1.3. Type 3: unreal conditions (past time reference)
These sentences are completely hypothetical, and represents what is contrary to past fact.
If clausemain clause
past perfect would + perfect infinitive
(simple or continuous) modal + perfect infinitive
If we had caught the 10 o'clock train, we would have got there by lunch-time.
If I had been watching the road, I wouldn’t have had the accident.
If you hadn't reminded me, I might have forgotten.
In this case, the past perfect tense is used to indicate past unreality—we didn't catch the 10 o'clock train, so we didn’t get there by lunch-time.
1.3.1. the verb to be in the if-clause
The verb to be takes the normal past perfect form had been
If I had been you / if I had been in your position I would have accepted their offer.
1.3.2. Type 3: variations
Variations of this type of sentence are not very common, though sentences like the following are occasionally met with:
If you were to have asked me, I would have been only too willing to help.
Mixed conditionals
We get a 'mixed' type of sentence, when the two clausesin a conditional sentence have a different time reference:
If Bob wasn't so lazy, he would have passed the exam easily.
(type 2 unreal present + type 3 unreal past)
If we had brought a map with us, we would know which road to take.
(type 3 unreal past + type 2 unreal present)
If the doctor had been called earlier, she would still be alive today.
(type 3 unreal past + type 2 unreal present)
If I am as clever as you say I am, I would have been rich by now.
(type 0 real present + type 3 unreal past)
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