Conditional Sentences

Introduction to Conditional Sentences

Conditional sentences express different possibilities, situations, or hypothetical outcomes

based on a condition. In English, there are four main types of conditionals: Zero Conditional,
First Conditional, Second Conditional, and Third Conditional. There is also a "Mixed
Conditional," which is a combination of two other conditionals.

1. Zero Conditional

Use: The zero conditional is used to express general truths, scientific facts, or things that
always happen under certain conditions. It refers to situations that are always true.

Structure:
If + present simple, present simple.

Examples:

● If you heat water to 100°C, it boils.

● If the sun sets, it gets dark.
● If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.

Explanation:
The zero conditional shows situations that are universally true or constant, like scientific laws
or daily habits. Both parts of the sentence use the present simple tense.

Practice:

● If you freeze water, it __________ (turn) into ice.

● If people drink too much caffeine, they __________ (feel) jittery.

2. First Conditional

Use: The first conditional is used to talk about real and possible situations in the future. These
situations are likely to happen if the condition is met.

Structure:
If + present simple, will + base verb.

Examples:

● If I study hard, I will pass the exam.

 ● If it rains tomorrow, we will stay indoors.
● If I finish my homework, I will go to the cinema.

Explanation:
The first conditional talks about future situations that are realistic or possible. The "if" clause
expresses the condition, and the main clause expresses the result.

Practice:

● If I (have) enough money, I __________ (travel) to Japan next year.

● If he (eat) too much sugar, he __________ (feel) sick.

3. Second Conditional hypothetic

Use: The second conditional expresses hypothetical or unreal situations, usually in the
present or future. It is used when the condition is unlikely or impossible to be true.

Structure:
If + past simple, would + base verb.

Examples:

● If I were a bird, I would fly to the moon. (Note: Use "were" for all subjects in
hypothetical situations.)
● If I had a million dollars, I would buy a house by the beach.
● If you lived in Paris, you would speak French fluently.

Explanation:
The second conditional talks about impossible, imagined, or unlikely situations. It is often
used to express dreams or wishes. Notice that the verb "were" is used for all subjects in
hypothetical situations.

Practice:

● If I (be) you, I __________ (talk) to my boss about the issue.

● If she (have) more time, she __________ (learn) to play the piano.

4. Third Conditional

Use: The third conditional is used to express regret or talk about things that didn’t happen in
the past. It refers to an impossible situation in the past and its possible result.
Structure:
If + past perfect, would have + past participle.

Examples:

● If I had studied harder, I would have passed the exam.

● If they had left earlier, they would have caught the train.
● If we had known about the event, we would have attended it.

Explanation:
The third conditional expresses situations that are entirely hypothetical and refer to the past.
It imagines how a past event could have been different if the condition had been met.

Practice:

● If I (not miss) the bus, I __________ (arrive) on time.

● If they (take) the job offer, they __________ (move) to New York.

5. Mixed Conditional

Use: The mixed conditional combines the second and third conditionals. It is used to talk
about a past event that has a present result or a present unreal situation with a past
consequence.

Structure:

1. Past condition with present result:

If + past perfect, would + base verb.
2. Present condition with past result:
If + past simple, would have + past participle.

Examples:

1. Past condition with present result:

○ If I had studied medicine, I would be a doctor now.
○ If they had worked harder, they would be promoted by now.
2. Present condition with past result:
○ If I were more organized, I would have finished the project by now.
○ If she were here, she would have helped with the presentation.
If he were healthier, he would have participated in last week’s marathon.
Explanation:
The mixed conditional is used to talk about a condition in the past and its consequence in the
present, or a present condition affecting a past result.

Practice:
 Text

● If I (study) harder last year, I __________ (be) in a better position now.

● If she (speak) French better, she __________ (get) the job last month.

Quick Review

Conditiona Structure Usage

l

Zero If + present simple, present simple General truths, scientific facts

Conditional

First If + present simple, will + base Real or possible future situations

Conditional verb

Second If + past simple, would + base verb Hypothetical, unreal, or unlikely

Conditional situations

Third If + past perfect, would have + past Imaginary situations in the past
Conditional participle

Mixed (Past condition with present result): Combines past conditions and present
Conditional If + past perfect, would + base verb results or present conditions and past
(Present condition with past result): consequences
If + past simple, would have + past
participle

Exercise for Conditional Sentences

Instructions: Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb. Pay attention to the type of
conditional that fits the sentence.

1. If she _________
had asked(ask) for help earlier, wewould _________
have been(be) able to finish the project

on time. wouldn’t had spent

2. If I _________
had been (be) more careful with my budget last year, I _________ (not spend)
so much money on unnecessary things.
would have arrived
3. If theyhadn’t
_________
canceled (not cancel) their flight, they _________ (arrive) in Paris by now.
would have understood
4. If you _________
had talked (talk) to me, I _________ (understand) the situation better.
had known (know) about the meeting, I would
5. If I _________ have attened
_________ (attend) it last Friday.
6. If I _________
were (be) in your position, I _________
would accept (accept) the job offer.

7. If the weather _________

had been (be) better, we would
_________
have gone(go) to the beach yesterday.
8. If she _________
had studied (study) for the test, shewould
_________
have done(do) much better.

9. If you _________
had helped (help) me with the presentation, I wouldn’t_________ (not make) so many
have made

mistakes.
10. If I _________
won (win) the lottery, I _________
wouldn’t work (not work) anymore.
 Text
Text

Reading Passage: Conditional Sentences in Action

Instructions: Read the passage below and identify the conditional sentences. Then, answer
the questions that follow.

precise(adj) แม่นยำ accurate

Passage: The Impact of Good Decisions precision(n)

David had always been interested in architecture. If he had studied architecture in college, he
would have become an architect by now. However, he chose a different path and studied
business instead. Looking back, David often wondered about the opportunities he missed.

"If I had followed my passion for design, I would be working in a field I truly love today," he
thought. He realized that if he had taken more risks earlier in life, he might have achieved
greater success in his career. But, even though his decision to study business was practical, it
wasn’t exactly what he had envisioned for himself.

David’s situation is not unique. Many people wonder what could have been different if they
had made other choices. If they had moved to a new city, started a new job, or taken a
different career path, their lives might have turned out differently. For some, these “what if”
scenarios become a source of regret.

However, David believes that if he had not chosen business, he wouldn’t have the financial
security he has today. While he still dreams of designing buildings, he is content knowing
that his decisions, whether right or wrong, have shaped his life.

David’s story is a reminder that decisions, both big and small, have long-term consequences.
If you make good decisions now, you may be setting yourself up for a brighter future. But, if
you don’t make the effort to take risks and follow your dreams, you may always wonder
“what if?”

Questions:

1. Identify all the conditional sentences in the passage.

2. What type of conditional is used in the following sentence:
"If he had studied architecture in college, he would have become an architect by
now."
3. What is David’s attitude towards his past decisions?
4. How does the passage suggest that decisions affect future outcomes?
5. Can you think of a “what if” situation in your own life? How would you rewrite it
using a conditional sentence?