the unreal conditional

 

The Real Conditional (The Present Conditional)

Sentences in the present conditional have one part of the sentence which begins with "if" and contains a verb in the present tense (Review present tense) and another part of the sentence in the future with "will" (Review future with "will").  If the part of the sentence with "if" goes first (as in the first example below), use a comma.  The present conditional also known as the "real" conditional because it is generally used with situations that are very likely (probable).  For example, in the sentence below, rain is a definite possibility. 

If it rains, I will use an umbrella.

I will use an umbrella if it rains.