Conditional Sentences

Conditional Sentence

Lesson 1. An Overview

There are roughly four types of conditional sentences. This page will explore the following:

1. What conditional sentences are

2. Elements/parts in conditional sentences

3. How conditional sentences are different

Lesson 2: Why are there so many types of conditional sentences? 

Before going to look at each conditional sentence types, it is important to understand why there are so many types of conditional sentences. This page will explore the following:

1. Conditional sentences for the use for present situations

2. Conditional sentences for the use for past situations

3. Conditional sentences for the use for future situations

Lesson 3: Zero Conditional

Form: 

If clause,                                         Result clause

If + sub + verb (present simple),     Sub + verb (present simple) … .

Use:

General truths/ scientific facts/real world	1. People die if they don't eat. 2. If you pour oil on water, it floats. 3. If you mix yellow and blue, you get green.
Regular occurrence/hobbits	1. If the teacher plays games in class, I am very happy. 2. I don’t go into my class if I am 10 minutes late.

Lesson 4: First Conditional

Form: 

If clause,                                         Result clause

If + sub + verb (present simple),     sub + will + verb (base) … .

Use:

Possible future events or situations	1. If you give me any money,  I will take it. 2. If she comes today, I will pay her back the owed money. 3. If it rains this evening, I will not go to the wedding.
Functions	1. Commands: If I don’t call you, don’t come here. 2. Offers: If you want it, I will buy it for you. 3. Suggestions: Shall we go out tomorrow, if the weather is good. 4. Warnings: If you don’t go, I will tell the Principal.

Lesson 5: Second Conditional

Form: 

If clause,                                         Result clause

If + sub + verb (past simple),     sub + would + verb (base) … .

Use:

Improbable future events or situations	1.If the 20 February incident finished next month, we would go to the beach.
Hypothetical present events or situations/unreal present	1.If I had enough money, I would buy a phone for everyone.
Functions	1.Giving advice: If I were you, I would study harder. 2.Polite requests: If I could deal with this matter, I would be very grateful. 3.Desires/Regrets: If I knew the answer, I would go to the board.

Lesson 6: Third Conditional

Form:

If clause,                                         Result clause

If + sub + had + V past participle,     sub + would + have + V past participle … .

Use:

Contrary past events situations	1.If she had attended the class, the teacher would have given her the hand-out.
Hypothetical past events or situations/unreal past	1.If I had had enough money on that day, I would have bought a new phone.
Function	1.Criticism: If she had called me, I would not have gone so far for the cancelled meeting.

Lesson 7: Mixed Conditional

Form 1:

If clause (Second),                                         Result clause (Third)

If + sub + verb past simple,     sub + would + have + V past participle … .

Ex: If the traffic were busy like before, the car accident would have killed many.

Form 2:

If clause (Third),                                         Result clause (Second)

If + sub + had + V past participle,     sub + would + verb base … .

Ex: If he hadn’t had the accident, he would not be in the hospital now.

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