Advanced conditionals

Alternative forms

The basic types of conditional are the most useful, but it is important to realize that they do not cover all possibilities. Here, for example, are four sentences that are all perfectly logical and correct, but that do not fall into any of the classic categories:

• If you weren’t good at maths, you’ll find this difficult.

• Why didn’t he say hello, if he is such a good friend?

• If you called, I certainly didn’t hear the telephone.

• If you’re in town tomorrow, come by!

Politeness conditionals

Note that the following sentences contain “will” and “would” in the if-clause and so look like “mistakes”:

• If you’ll come this way please, Dr Bonner will see you.

(Wenn Sie mir bitte folgen wollen...)

• If you would just answer the question, please...

(Wenn Sie so nett wären, meine Frage zu beantworten...)

Here, “will” and “would” are polite ways of expressing volition (Bereitschaft). Another verb used in this way is “could”.

Formal variants

There are formal variants of the Type 2 and Type 3 forms. Two of these variants do not include the word “if”:

TYPE 2 VARIANTS:
“if” + “were” + to + infinitive - If Robert were to go, ...

“would” + infinitive - ... Marcia would leave, too.

“were” + to + infinitive - Were Robert to go, ...

“would” + infinitive - ... Marcia would leave, too.

TYPE 3 VARIANT:
“had” + past participle - Had Robert gone, ...

“would have” + past participle - ... Marcia would have left, too.