If-clauses can be clause-initial (1), clause-medial (2) as well as clause-final (3).
| (1) | If you like, we can catch a movie. |
| (2) | We, if you like, can catch a movie. |
| (3) | We can catch a movie if you like. |
Aside from the typical type I, II, III strucure, conditionals can be divided into two categories:
real and unreal conditionals.
| If I have money, I spend it. | Present Real Conditional - type I |
| If I had money, I spent it. | Past Real Conditional - type I |
| If I have money, I will/am going to spend it. | Future Real Conditional - type I |
| If I had had money, I would have spent it. | Past unreal Conditional - type III | |
| If I had money, I would spend it. | I think about spending the money TODAY. | Present unreal Conditional - type II |
| If I had money, I would spend it. | I think about spending the money NEXT WEEK. | Future unreal Conditional - type II |
Modal verbs
Main clauses with real conditional tenses can have modal verbs.
| If I have money, I can spend it. |
You can use could and might instead of would in unreal conditional clauses.
| If I had money, I could spend it. (I would be able to spend it.) |
| If I had money, I might spend it. (I would possibly spend it.) |
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