Conditional sentences are a key part of expressing ideas clearly in English. While the basic forms are relatively straightforward, more advanced structures can help you sound more precise and formal.
In this post, we’ll explore a range of C1-level conditional patterns so you can take your English to the next level.
First Conditional
C1 structure: (should) happen to
Standard
If I hear from them, I will let you know without delay.
Advanced Form
If I happen to hear from them, I will let you know without delay.
If I should happen to hear from them, I will let you know without delay.
C1 structure: should (happen to) + inversion
Should I hear from them, I will let you know without delay.
Should I happen to hear from them, I will let you know without delay.
♦ Notes
- Apart from adding a formal tone, the above structures make the event less likely.“
- If” can be followed by would in polite requests (not standard conditionals):
If you would hold on for a moment, I will put you through to the manager.
Second Conditional
C1 structure: If + were to + verb
Standard
If I reported the situation, the company would have to pay a hefty fine.
Advanced Form
If I were to report the situation, the company would have to pay a hefty fine.
C1 structure: Inversion (with the verb to be)
Standard
If you were not responsible for contaminating the river, the report would demonstrate it.
Advanced Form
Were you not responsible for contaminating the river, the report would demonstrate it.
Standard
If it were not for my dog, I would travel abroad more often.
Advanced Form
Were it not for my dog, I would travel abroad more often.
Both structures make the event seem more hypothetical, remote, or formal.
♦ Note
In speaking, you can use suppose, supposing, or imagine to introduce hypothetical situations similar to the second conditional. Examples:
Supposing you didn’t have a dog, would you travel abroad more often?
Suppose/Imagine you didn’t have a dog. Would you travel abroad more often?
Third Conditional
C1 structure: inversion
Standard
If the factory had not made the workers redundant, the trade unions would not have mobilised.
Advanced Form
Had the factory not made the workers redundant, the trade unions would not have mobilised. (“if” is omitted)
Practice Exercises: Elevating Your Conditionals
Instructions: Rewrite the following sentences using the advanced structures indicated in the brackets.
Part 1: First Conditional (Inversion & “Happen to”)
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If you need any further assistance, please contact our support team. (Use: “Should”)
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If she happens to find your keys, she will call you immediately. (Use: “Should… happen to”)
Part 2: Second Conditional (Inversion & “Were to”) 3. If the government were to raise taxes, the public would be outraged. (Use: “Were to” inversion) 4. If it were not for the heavy rain, we would have gone for a walk. (Use: “Were it not for”) 5. If he were more experienced, he would have applied for the promotion. (Use: “Were he…”)
Part 3: Third Conditional (Inversion) 6. If the witness had told the truth, the innocent man would not have been convicted. (Use: Inversion) 7. If I had known about the meeting, I would have arrived on time. (Use: Inversion)