WS:conditionals

In general, the standard EFL grammars have divided the conditional mode in English into 3 types on the basis of both syntax and semantics:

(It was not simply done to encourage students to learn the ordinals from 1st-3rd :)

Quickly, in the part of the sentence that does not include the condition (which is often introduced by if), the following modals are frequently found

• The first conditional
  • semantics: predictions concerning possible future events / logical consequence
  • syntax: Ø, can, will, may, shall + V
• The second conditional
  • semantics: remotely possible events or unrealized states (irrealis) / politeness, hypothesis, improbable worlds / logical consequence
  • syntax: d, could, would, should, might + V
• The third conditional =
• semantics: unrealized states / events (irrealis) / regrets/reproaches, suggestions, improbable worlds / logical consequence
• syntax: primarily də, coulda', woulda', shoulda' (and mighta') Ved

More persuausively, Huddlestone & Pullum have divided conditionals into open and remote conditionals, on the basis of whether a "past modal" is mandatory in the sentence or not. So, for the authors of the Cambridge Grammar of the English Language, the 2nd and 3rd conditionals one finds in Murphy (or in Swan?)

The first conditional

1. If we finish in time, we can go to the 7:30pm showing.
2. If she's flying in late Monday, she may want us to start later on Tuesday morning, so she can recover from jet lag.
3. If I have my daughter, I Ø leave work early to pick her up from the airport. (general truth)
4. If he has his daughter, he Ø leaves work early to pick her up from the airport. (general rule: note that the -s is added to the verb as there is no modal auxiliary)
5. If I have my daughter Friday evening, I will (have to) leave work early to pick her up. (more specific)
6. If I have my daughter Friday evening, I may ask for Friday afternoon off so I can go shopping and clean the house.