Ch 5
Conditionals Mastery
Full system · inversion · wish · it's time
C2 mastery means controlling every conditional pattern with confidence — including mixed, inverted, and modal-variant forms.
Zero (always true)
If + present, + present — Water boils at 100°C if heated.
First (real future)
If + present, + will — If it rains, we'll cancel.
Second (imaginary)
If + past, + would — If I won, I'd travel.
Third (past hypothetical)
If + past perfect, + would have + PP — If I had known, I would have come.
Mixed Type A
past condition → present result: If I had studied, I would be a doctor now.
Mixed Type B
present condition → past result: If I were braver, I would have asked.
Had + subject + PP (third)
Had I known, I would have come. (= If I had known)
Were + subject (second, all subjects)
Were I to win, I would travel. (= If I won/were to win)
Should + subject (first, polite)
Should you need assistance, contact us. (= If you should need)
Were it not for + noun
Were it not for your help, I would have failed.
Had it not been for + noun
Had it not been for the weather, we would have won.
would → might / could (less certain)
If she came, she might change her mind.
would have → might have
If she had asked, I might have agreed.
Continuous result
If I had taken that job, I would be living in Tokyo now.
Conditional perfect continuous
If she had been working there longer, she would have got the promotion.
Stative wish/regret
If only I could tell her... / If only I had been there...
provided (that) / providing
stricter condition: You can go provided that you call.
as long as / so long as
condition: You can stay as long as you behave.
on (the) condition that
formal: He was released on condition that he report weekly.
supposing / suppose
hypothetical: Supposing she came — what would you say?
unless
= if not: Unless you study, you will fail.
in case / in the event of
precaution: Take an umbrella in case it rains.
wish + past (present unreality)
I wish I knew the answer. (I don't know now)
wish + past perfect (past regret)
I wish I had studied harder. (I didn't)
wish + would (annoyance, others)
I wish you would stop interrupting.
if only (emphatic wish)
If only I had known earlier!
It's time + past
It's time she left. (= she should leave now)
It's high time + past
It's high time you started studying. (overdue)
If I had been studied harder, I would have passed.
→
If I had studied harder, I would have passed.
past perfect = had + PP (no "been" unless passive)
I wish I would know the answer.
→
I wish I knew the answer.
wish + past for present unreality (own situation)
It's high time you start studying.
→
It's high time you started studying.
"it's time" + past simple
Had I would known earlier, I'd have come.
→
Had I known earlier, I'd have come.
inverted: had + subj + PP (no "would")
Recap
Six types
zero · 1st · 2nd · 3rd · mixed A · mixed B
all combinations of time
Inversion
Had I / Were I / Should you / Were it not for
formal register, drops "if"
Alternatives
provided that / as long as / unless / in case
precise shades of condition
Wish / if only
+ past / + past perfect / + would
wish I knew / wish I had studied
It's (high) time
+ past simple
it's time you left