Past Unreal Conditional.

1. The past unreal is used for express past situations that could have been different, in different conditions. 
Example: 
If I had driven to my house, I would have arrived earlier that night. 

2. The structure of past unreal is a dependant clause (the "if" clause) that is conformed by past perfect, plus a main clause conformed by would (or other modals as  could or might) plus have as an auxiliary plus past participle.

If + past perfect (then) would have + past participle.

3. In spoken english (informally speaking, actually) is common to hear contractions in past conditional.
Here we have a video about the appropiate pronunciation of this conditionals.

Present Unreal Conditional.

1. Unreal conditionals have the characteristic that the dependant clause describes an imaginary, imposible condition or event, and the main clause express the imaginary or imposible result. That is waht the past tense represent. 
Example:
If we went out to dinner I would change my dress. 

2. In this grammar form, modals are used to show the unreality of the condition.
Example: 
If she were happy with him, she would open the door. 
If he had the time to do it, he may study for the test. 

3. The form "If I were you..." is used to give advices in a softly way that usign should or ought to.
Example:
If I were you, I'd ask them for help with the event.

The infformation about advices could be cheked in this link:
BBC World Service. Language Point. 

4. Grammar forms as "Would you mind if..." "Would it bother you if..." or "Would it be OK if..." are used for ask for permission. 
Example:
Would you mind if  I invited her to the dance?
Would it bother you if I drove tonight?
Would it be OK if I went to the party?

Real Conditional.

The real conditional refers to true or possible situations that are going to happen if the dependant clause occurs.


1. If we are talking about a scientifically or a standard true (a fact) then it is called Factual Conditional. 
Example: If you get the ice out of the freezer, it melts.
 
2. Real conditional could express habits or routines. 
Example: If I wake up at 5:30 am, I get to college at 7:00am.
 
3.  Predictions and promises could be expressed with the real conditional too. 
Example:
If you help me with this homework, I will pass the course.
If you help me with this homework, I will never ask you for help with my duties again.
 
4. Real future could be used for express advice, warning and or instructions. 
Examples:
You should take a painkiller if the headache stars. 
If she doesn't care about the school, she will get expelled. 
If  you use the the blender by the first time, wash it first.  

As we have seen, to form the real conditional structures we uses simple present in the dependant clause and simple present, future, modals and imperatives in the main clauses. 

Conditionals. Clasification.

 Conditionals are clasified in real and unreal. 

Real conditionals are those in which, if the depedendant clause happens, the main clause is certain or almost certain. This conditionals are subdivided in the zero conditional and the first conditional. The dependant clause usually is in present (even though it has a future meaning) but could be in present continuous too.

Unreal conditionals are refered to false,impossible or past situations. They comprehend the second and third conditionals. Unreal presents a curious grammar exception: When the dependant clause includes the verb be, were is used for all the subjetcs (despite of this, in spoken english is common to hear was).

 For a deeper understanding, there it is a video from the Oxford Online English website.

Conditionals. Introduction.

                                                     

In order to get at least some of this language skills, it is really important the proper use of conditionals forms. Although conditionals could be sometimes abstract or confusing, they are used in daily communication, so is really important to deal with them successfully.

So in a general way, what is important to know about conditionals?

1. Conditional is grammar structure conformed by a main clause and a dependent clause. Example: 
If I hadn't married him (dependant clause), I'd never have known how happy I could be (main clause).

2. The sructure of conditional could change:

• Dependent clause + comma + main clause. Example: If they don't want to play, you'll play alone. 
•  Main clause (no comma) dependenten clause. Example: You will play alone if they don't want to play.

3. One or both of the clauses could be negatives.

Next entries will give us information about the conditional clasifications and their structures.