All conditionals: Mixed conditionals, alternatives to ‘if’, inversion

Zero, first, second, third and mixed conditionals

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You can see a full explanation of type 0, type 1, type 2 and type 3 conditional with examples.

Mixed conditionals

We use mixed conditionals to mix talking about the present and the past in the same sentence. The mixed conditional is a combination of the second and the third conditional:

➟ We can use past simple or continuous in the if-clause (to refer to the present or future) and would/ should/ might have + past participle in the main clause (to refer to the past).

➟ We can also use past perfect in the if-clause (to refer to the past) and would/ should/ might + infinitive (to refer to the present).

• If I didn’t have (second conditional) so much work, I would have gone (third conditional) to the party last night.
• If I spoke (second conditional) German, I would have understood (third conditional) them.
• If I had won (third conditional) the lottery, I would be (second conditional) rich.
• If I hadn’t dropped (third conditional) school, I could have (second conditional) a better job now.

Alternatives to if in conditional sentences

As long as / provided (that) / providing (that) / on condition (that) / only if

We can use the expressions as long as, provided/ providing (that), on condition (that), or only if instead of if when we want to emphasise the condition that needs to be present so that something can happen or be done.

• I’ll tell you what really happened as long as you keep the secret.
• I’ll lend you the money provided (that) you pay me back next month.
• They will speak to the press on condition (that) they remain anonymous sources.
• We will invest the money, but only if you can prove that it’s a safe investment. 

Whether or not

We use whether or not when there are two alternatives, and we want to say that something will happen or will be true in any of those two alternatives. Compare:

• I’ll help him if he needs me. (=I will help him only if he needs me.)
• I’ll help him whether or not he needs me. (I will help him if he needs me, and I will help him if he doesn’t need me, too.)

Even if

We also use even if with a similar meaning to ‘whether or not’. It is used to emphasise that something will still be true or will happen if another thing happens.

• Even if you apologise, he’ll never forgive you. (=Whether or not you apologise, he’ll never forgive you.)

Suppose/supposing

We normally use suppose or supposing at the beginning of a sentence to make someone imagine a situation. It means ‘what would happen if’, or simply ‘if’ (imagining a situation).

• Supposing I got a job, I wouldn’t be able to travel with you next summer.
• Suppose she doesn’t believe you, what would you do then?

Inversion in conditional sentences

Should you find

In first conditional sentences, it’s possible to use should at the beginning of the sentence instead of if. This form is formal, and it’s common to use an imperative form in the main clause.

• Should you find the answer, please let me know as soon as possible. (=If you find the answer)
• Should you change your mind, you know where to contact us. (=If you change your mind)

Had we arrived

In third conditional sentences, we can invert the auxiliary verb had and leave if out. Had we arrived = If we had arrived.

• Had we arrived earlier, we could have prevented the incident. 
• Had they looked further into the data, they might have realised there was a mistake. 

Were we to announce

We can also find cases of inversion with this structure: were + subject + to. + infinitive. It is used to talk about future improbable events (like the second conditional).

• Were we to announce the truth, we would receive a lot of criticism. (=If we announced …)
• Were they to buy a new house, they would need to sell the old one first. (=If they bought …)

Negative forms: should I not, had we not, were we not

When should, had or were are negative, contracted forms are not used, and not is used after the subject.

• Shouldn’t you wish to retake the test, you must let us know before the end of June.
• Should you not wish to retake the test, you must let us know before the end of June.
• Hadn’t you refused my invitation, we would have had the most incredible time in our lives.
• Had you not refused my invitation, we would have had the most incredible time in our lives. 
• Weren’t you my brother, I would call the police.
• Were you not my brother, I would call the police.