Conditionals and modal verbs
Policy arguments live in 'if' sentences and in 'should/must/could'. Errors here weaken recommendations.
Rules with examples
First conditional: If + present, will + base verb. Never 'will' in the if-clause.
Second conditional (unreal now): If + past, would + base verb.
Third conditional (unreal past): If + had + past participle, would have + past participle.
Modals take the base verb: must do, should do, can do. Never 'must to', 'should to', 'can able'.
Choose modals by strength: must (necessity) > should (advice) > could/might (possibility).
Conditionals and modal verbs: exercises with answers
- will arrive
- arrives
- would arrive
- arrived
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arrives — First conditional: present in the if-clause.
- has
- had
- would have
- will have
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had — Mixed conditional: past condition, present result. 'Had invested'.
- We should to act now.
- We must acting now.
- We must act now.
- We can able to act now.
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We must act now. — Modal + base verb.
- will not occur
- would not occur
- would not have occurred
- did not occur
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would not have occurred — Third conditional.
- The government could maybe perhaps try reforms.
- The government must enforce existing tax laws before introducing new taxes.
- The government will must reform.
- The government should to enforce tax laws.
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The government must enforce existing tax laws before introducing new taxes. — Correct modal form and a clear, specific recommendation.
Correct these sentences
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✓ If we do not control population growth, resources will run out.
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✓ If Jinnah had lived longer, Pakistan's history might have been different.
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✓ Every citizen should pay tax honestly.
Studied in Week 9 alongside Module 9: From memorised to analytical.
Frequently asked questions
Is 'If it will rain' correct?
No. In first conditionals use the present: 'If it rains, ...'