Conditionals
• We use Zero Conditional sentences (if/when + Present Simple, Present Simple) to talk about things that are always true:
If the temperature drops below zero, water freezes.
When babies are hungry, they cry.
• We use First Conditional sentences (if + Present Simple, will/could/might + infinitive) to talk about things which will happen in the future under certain conditions:
If you leave a message, they’ll call you back.
• We use Second Conditional sentences (if + Past Simple, would/could/might + infinitive) to talk about present or future situations or states which are impossible or unlikely:
Would you tell him the truth if he asked you?
• We use Third Conditional sentences (if + Past Perfect, would have/might have/could have + Past Participle) to talk about events in the past that did not happen:
If you had accepted my help, you would have avoided a lot of trouble.
wish and if only
• We use wish/if only + Past Simple to express regret and dissatisfaction with a present situation:
John wishes he didn’t have to sell the house.
If only I could help you.
• We use wish/if only + would + infi nitive to express annoyance about a present situation that we would like to be different. It usually refers to things we can’t change
or control:
I wish they’d stop playing loud music in the evenings.
If only you’d come back to me.
• Wish and if only have a similar meaning, but if only is more emphatic. It expresses a greater degree of regret.
• We use wish/if only + Past Perfect to express regret about a past situation:
Wish I hadn’t bought this dress – it’s awful!
It’s too late now. If only I’d followed my dad’s advice!