If Clause Type 0
if + Simple Present, Simple Present
- Type 0 indicates what happens, every time a certain situation is given.
- It reflects a fact or general truth, so it’s in general likely to happen.
Examples:
If you reduce your costs, you obtain more profits.
If your customers phone your company, the receptionist answers the phone.
If Clause Type I
if + Simple Present, will-Future
- Type I indicates what will happen, provided that a certain situation is given.
- It is possible and also very likely that the condition will be fulfilled.
Examples:
If you send your order by fax, we will deliver the goods immediately.
If you invite me for lunch, I will help you with your presentation.
If Clause Type II
if + Simple Past, would + infinitive
- Type II indicates what could happen if a present situation were different.
- It is possible but very unlikely, that the condition will be fulfilled.
Examples:
If we had more employees, we would work more efficiently.
If we delivered poor quality, we would not be the leading company in our business.
If Clause Type III
if + Past Perfect, would + have + past participle
- Type III indicates what could have happened in the past if a situation had been different then.
- It is impossible that the condition will be fulfilled because it refers to the past.
Examples:
If you had read the paper, you would have seen the advertisement.
If I had taken the bus, I would have been late.
Complete the sentences.
- If your conditions are competitive, we (place) _____ an order immediately.
- Whenever the photocopier (be) _______ out of order, we have more photocopies than ever to do.
- If I had more time, I (do) _______ a course in business English.
- If we had known more about their culture, negotiating (be) _________ easier.
- If you (customize) ________ your CV, your chances of getting a job will be better.
- If there (be) _________ a fire, you call the fire brigade.
- We (cancel) ________ our order if you don't deliver the goods by Friday.
- If Brittany (speak) ________ better English, she would apply for a job abroad.
- If you (tell) ________ me about the problem, I would have helped you.
- As long as our customers (remain) ________ loyal to our brand, we don’t see any problems ahead.
- I (let) ________ you know if I weren't satisfied.
- If you execute the order carelessly, they (place / not) ________ another order with you in the future.
- If I were you, I (worry / not) _______ about the presentation.
- Our company would improve its sales if our prices (be) _______ more competitive.
- We wouldn’t have gone bankrupt if we (listen) ________ to our financial advisors sooner.
- Unless you (press) _________ that bottom, the machine doesn’t work.
- We will set up another meeting on condition that the main point of discussion (be) ________ outsourcing our production.
C