Second Conditional Alternate Forms

Modals can be used in the result clause to indicate hypothetic possibilties.

Examples

If you were more serious about your work, you could find a new job.

Were to

If followed by subject + 'were to' emphasizes the hypothetical character of the statement.

Example

If I were to buy a new car, what would you say?

If it were not for

'If it were not for' emphasizes that one event depends on another for completion. This form is often used to show the negative results without a certain person or thing.

Example

If it weren't for his dedication, this company wouldn't exsist!

Supposing

'Supposing' is used in place of 'if' to emphasize the imaginary. It is more commonly used in everyday speech.

Example

Supposing he came to visit you, what would you do?

Third Conditional Alternate Forms

Modals can be used in the result clause to indicate past hypothetical possibilties, permission and advice.

Examples

If he had known, he could have given you a hand.
You might have finished the assignment on time, if you had planned more carefully.
If you hadn't prepared, you should have told the professor.

But for

'But for' replaces 'if not' and is followed by a noun. It is usually used in formal speech.

Example

But for our savings, we wouldn't have been able to make the payments.

If it hadn't been for

'If it hand't been for' emphasizes that one event depended on another for completion. This form is often used to show what the negative results would have been without a certain person or thing.

Example

If it hadn't been for Jack, we would have failed.

Mixed Conditional

A result clause can use the conditional to express a present hypothetical result based on a past action.

Example

If she hadn't helped me, I wouldn't work here now.

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