Checkpoint 6 · Grammar in Use

If-sentences (Conditionals)

The four types of if-sentences, which tenses go in each half, where the comma goes, the mistakes to avoid and how if-sentences make your writing more persuasive.

British & IGCSE › Checkpoint 6 › Checkpoint 6 English (Cambridge Primary 0058)

1. What is an if-sentence?

An if-sentence (also called a conditional) has two parts: the condition (the if part) and the result (what happens because of it). Each type uses a special pair of tenses.

Condition (if-clause)	Result (main clause)
If you water the plant,	it will grow.
If I were a bird,	I would fly over the Red Sea.

2. The four types

Type	Form	Use	Example
Zero	If + present simple, present simple	facts that are always true	If you heat ice, it melts.
First	If + present simple, will + base form	real, possible future	If it rains tomorrow, we will stay at home.
Second	If + past simple, would + base form	imaginary or unlikely situations	If I had wings, I would fly to the moon.
Third	If + had + past participle, would have + past participle	imagining a different past (regrets)	If we had left earlier, we would have caught the train.

How to choose the type

Is it always true (science, rules)? → Zero.
Can it really happen in the future? → First.
Is it imaginary or very unlikely now? → Second.
Is it about the past, which we cannot change? → Third.

3. The comma rule

When the if-clause comes first, put a comma after it. When it comes second, you do not need a comma.

If the bell rings, stop writing. (comma)
Stop writing if the bell rings. (no comma)

4. Other useful words

Word	Meaning	Example
unless	if ... not	You will miss the bus unless you hurry. (= if you do not hurry)
as long as	only if	You can borrow my bike as long as you bring it back.
If only	a strong wish or regret	If only I had listened to my brother!
were (with I/he/she/it)	used in the second conditional	If I were you, I would apologise.

5. Common mistakes

Watch out for these

If it will rain, we will stay home ✗ → If it rains, we will stay home ✓ (no will after if)
If I would be rich... ✗ → If I were rich... ✓
If I had a million pounds, I will buy a boat ✗ → ...I would buy a boat ✓ (second conditional: past + would)
If I would have known, I would have helped ✗ → If I had known, I would have helped ✓
Unless you don't hurry, you'll be late ✗ → Unless you hurry, you'll be late ✓ (unless already means if not)

6. How Checkpoint asks about it

If-sentences are not usually asked about directly in the reading questions, but you must use them correctly in your writing, where they show a range of sentence structures and verb forms (Grammar and punctuation).

If a reading question does mention one

Why does the writer begin this sentence with “If”? → to show what will happen as a result, often to warn or persuade the reader.
What does “If only I had stayed at home” tell you about the character? → they regret what they did.

Where they help your writing:

Text type	Example
Persuasive writing (to warn)	If we do nothing, our beaches will disappear.
Advice and instructions	If the water boils, turn down the heat.
Balanced argument	If the centre were built here, traffic would increase.
Stories (thoughts, regrets)	If only I had listened...
Formal letter (polite request)	I would be grateful if you could reply soon.

نصيحة سريعة

ممنوع will بعد if. قول If it rains مش If it will rain.
لو الجملة خيالية (لو أنا عندي جناحات...) استخدم If + ماضي ثم would.
لو بدأت الجملة بـ If، حط comma بعد الجزء الأول.

7. Practice

Correct: If it will snow, we will build a snowman.
Show answer
If it snows, we will build a snowman.
Which type? If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.
Show answer
Zero conditional: a fact that is always true (present + present).
Complete (first conditional): If you ______ (practise) every day, you ______ (improve).
Show answer
If you practise every day, you will improve.
Complete (second conditional): If I ______ (be) the head teacher, I ______ (give) everyone a longer break.
Show answer
If I were the head teacher, I would give everyone a longer break.
Complete (third conditional): If she ______ (check) her work, she ______ (not / make) that mistake.
Show answer
If she had checked her work, she would not have made that mistake.
Add the missing comma: If you need help ask the librarian.
Show answer
If you need help, ask the librarian.
Rewrite with unless: If you don't wear a coat, you will be cold.
Show answer
Unless you wear a coat, you will be cold.
Write one if-sentence for a persuasive letter asking the council to plant more trees.
Show answer
Example: If more trees are planted, our streets will be cooler and the air will be cleaner. (any correct first conditional is fine)

All pages in this course

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Grammar and Punctuation

Grammar in Use

Reading Skills

Writing: Non-fiction

Writing: Fiction