Conditional Sentences
Conditional Sentences
Conditional Sentences
It’s important to use the correct structure for each of these different
conditional sentences because they express varying meanings.
Use a comma after the if-clause when the if-clause precedes the main
clause.
What Are the Different Types of Conditional Sentences? There are four
different types of conditional sentences in English. Each expresses a different
degree of probability that a situation will occur or would have occurred under
certain circumstances.
There are a couple of things to take note of in the above sentences in which
the zero conditional is used. First, when using the zero conditional, the correct
tense to use in both clauses is the simple present tense. A common mistake is
to use the simple future tense.
Secondly, notice that the words if and when can be used interchangeably in
these zero conditional sentences. This is because the outcome will always be
the same, so it doesn’t matter “if” or “when” it happens.
Note that we use the simple present tense in the if-clause and simple future
tense in the main clause—that is, the clause that expresses the likely
outcome. This is how we indicate that under a certain condition (as expressed
in the if-clause), a specific result will likely happen in the future. Examine
some of the common mistakes people make using the first conditional
structure:
Explanation: Use the zero conditional (i.e., simple present + simple present)
only when a certain result is guaranteed. If the result is likely, use the first
conditional (i.e., simple present + simple future).
Notice the correct way to structure second conditional sentences is to use the
simple past tense in the if-clause and an auxiliary modal verb (e.g., could,
should, would, might) in the main clause (the one that expresses the
unrealistic or unlikely outcome). The following sentences illustrate a couple of
the common mistakes people make when using the second conditional:
Explanation: When applying the second conditional, use the simple past
tense in the if-clause.
Incorrect | If I owned a zoo, I will let people interact with the animals more.
Correct | If I owned a zoo, I might let people interact with the animals more.
Explanation: Use a modal auxiliary verb in the main clause when using the
second conditional mood to express the unlikelihood that the result will
actually happen.
These sentences express a condition that was likely enough, but did not
actually happen in the past. The speaker in the first sentence was capable of
leaving early, but did not. Along these same lines, the speaker in the second
sentence was capable of cleaning the house, but did not. These are all
conditions that were likely, but regrettably did not happen.
Note that when using the third conditional, we use the past perfect (i.e., had +
past participle) in the if-clause. The modal auxiliary (would, could, shoud, etc.)
+ have + past participle in the main clause expresses the theoretical situation
that could have happened.
Incorrect | If you would have told me you needed a ride, I would have left
earlier.
Correct | If you had told me you needed a ride, I would have left earlier.
The action in the if-clause is the aspirin easing the headache, which will take
place only after the speaker takes them later that night.
Note that the emphatic “were to” can be used to describe hypothetical
scenarios in the present, future, and past.
Use a comma after the if-clause when the if-clause precedes the main clause.