1.1.3. Type 1: alternative forms

Imperative + and/or clause

We can use the imperative construction as an equivalent to an if clause

If you fail to pay, they will cut off the electricity.

= Fail to pay and they will cut off the electricity.

If you don’t stop borrowing money, you will be in trouble.

= Stop borrowing money or you will be in trouble.

We generally follow the imperative with and in place of an affirmative if-clause, and with or in place of a negative if-clause.

1.2. Type 2: tentative, hypothetical and unreal conditions (unreal present or future)

In these sentences, the conditional clauses represent what is possible, hypothetical/imaginary, or contrary to present fact.

a. If we caught the 10 o'clock train, we would (could, might) get there by lunch-time. (tentative situation)

a. If you were driving from London to Glasgow, which way would you go?

b. If I came into a fortune, I would give up working. (imaginary)

c. If I knew how it worked, I could tell you what to do. (unreal)

c. If you had longer legs you would be able to run faster. (unreal)

The sentences represent three points on a scale of decreasing probability, from a suppositional or tentative but possible, to b hypothetical but not impossible, to с contrary to present fact, and hence unreal; but formally they are identical: they all have the same sequence of tenses:

If clause main clause

past tense would + present infinitive

(simple or continuous) modal + present infinitive

The past verb form in the conditional clause represents the attitude of the speaker towards the condition; it does not represent time, which is indicated (if at all) by other elements in the context or situation.

1.2.1. the verb to be in the if-clause

The verb to be usually takes the form were for all persons in Type 2 conditionals in formal style, though was is used in everyday speech.

If I was better qualified I would apply for the job.

If I were better qualified I would apply for the job. (more formal)

We also prefer were when expressing doubt or imagining something

If I were the Queen of Sheba, you would be King Solomon.

We use If I were you… If I were in your position to give advice

If I were in Jane’s positions I would look for a new job.

1.2.2. Type 2: variations

1.2.2. were to + infinitive

We sometimes use were to + infinitive in the conditional clause to emphasize the suppositional nature of the condition, and it is in some ways analogous to the use of should in conditional clauses in Type 1: we can often substitute by any chance without changing the meaning:

If we were to miss the 10 o'clock train, we wouldn't get there till after lunch.

If by any chance we missed the 10 o'clock train, we wouldn't get there till after lunch.

We sometimes use this pattern to make a suggestion sound more polite:

If you were to move over, we could all sit on the sofa.

!!! Notice that we can't use this pattern with many verbs that describe a state, including know, like, remember, understand:

If I knew they were honest, I'd gladly lend them the money, (not If I were to know...)