So far you have only learned the basic rules for Conditional Sentences. It depends on the context, however, which tense to use. So sometimes it's possible for example that in an “If Clause Type 1” another tense than Simple Present is used, e.g. Present Progressive or Present Perfect.
Conditional Sentences Type 1 (likely)
| Condition refers to: | If Clause | Main Clause | ||
| future action | Simple Present | If the book is interesting, … | Future I | …I will buy it. |
| action going on now | Present Progressive | If he is snoring, … | Future I | …I will wake him up. |
| finished action | Present Perfect | If he has moved into his new flat, … | Future I | …we will visit him. |
| improbable action | should + Infinitive | If she should win this race, … | Future I | …I will congratulate her. |
| present facts | Simple Present | If he gets what he wants, … | Simple Present | …he is very nice. |
Conditional Sentences Type 2 (unlikely)
| Condition refers to: | If Clause | Main Clause | ||
| present / future event | Simple Past | If I had a lot of money, … | Conditional 1 | …I would travel around the world. |
| result in the past | Simple Past | If I knew him, … | Conditional 2 | …I would have said hello. |
Conditional Sentences Type 2 (impossible)
| Condition refers to: | If Clause | Main Clause | ||
| present | Past Perfect | If I had known it, … | Conditional 1 | …I would not be here now. |
| past | Past Perfect | If he had learned for the test, … | Conditional 2 | …he would not have failed it. |
