CONDITIONALS

LUIZA ASKAROVA
GROUP 420
What are conditional
sentences?
Conditional sentences are a type of complex
sentence. They’re made up of two parts: a condition
(often introduced by if or unless) and a result.
The condition sets up a situation, and the result tells
us what will happen if that situation occurs. For
example, in the sentence “If it rains, we will stay
indoors,” the phrase “If it rains” is the condition, and
“we will stay indoors” is the result.
Understanding these sentences is key to expressing
and understanding hypothetical situations in English.
 There are four main kinds of conditionals:
The Zero Conditional:
(if + present simple, ... present simple)
If you heat water to 100 degrees, it boils.

The First Conditional:

(if + present simple, ... will + infinitive)
If it rains tomorrow, we'll go to the cinema.

The Second Conditional:

(if + past simple, ... would + infinitive)
If I had a lot of money, I would travel around the world.

The Third Conditional

(if + past perfect, ... would + have + past participle)
If I had gone to bed early, I would have caught the train.
Click here to learn more.
(Notice we can put 'if' at the
beginning, or in the middle. It
doesn't change the meaning.
When 'if' is at the beginning of the
sentence, we put a comma at the
end of the 'if' clause. We don't
use a comma when 'if' is in the
middle of the sentence.)
 THE ZERO CONDITIONAL
FACTS AND GENERAL TRUTHS
The zero conditional is the simplest type of conditional sentence. It’s
used to express facts and general truths.
The structure is straightforward: If + [present simple], … [present simple].
For example, “If you heat ice, it melts.”
In this sentence, the condition is “If you heat ice,” and the result is “it
melts.” This is a general truth. It’s always the case that if you heat ice, it
melts.
Here are a few more examples:
If you mix blue and yellow, you get green.
If it’s a weekday, I go to work.
If you don’t eat, you get hungry.
Remember, the zero conditional is all about facts and general truths. It’s
not about specific situations or possibilities. It’s about what’s always
true.
 THE FIRST CONDITIONAL
REAL POSSIBILITIES
The first conditional is a step up from the zero conditional. It’s used to
talk about real and possible situations in the future. The structure is If +
[present simple], … will + [infinitive].
For example, “If it rains, I will stay at home.”
In this sentence, the condition is “If it rains,” and the result is “I will stay
at home.” This is a real possibility: It might rain, and if it does, I will stay
at home.
Here are a few more examples:
If you study hard, you will pass the exam.
If I see her, I will say hello.
If they don’t hurry, they will miss the train.
Remember, the first conditional is all about real possibilities in the
future. It’s not about general truths or hypothetical situations. It’s about
what might happen.
THE SECOND CONDITIONAL: UNREAL OR
IMPROBABLE SITUATIONS
The second conditional is a bit different. It’s used to talk about unreal or
improbable situations in the present or future. The structure is If + [past
simple], … would + [infinitive].
For example, “If I won the lottery, I would buy a house.”
In this sentence, the condition is “If I won the lottery,” and the result is “I
would buy a house.” This is an unreal situation. I probably won’t win the
lottery, but if I did, I would buy a house.
Here are a few more examples:
If I were you, I would take the job.
If it snowed in the Sahara, it would be a miracle.
If they knew the truth, they would be shocked.
To summarize, the second conditional is all about unreal or improbable
situations. It’s not about what will happen but what could happen in an
alternate reality.
 THE THIRD CONDITIONAL: PAST
HYPOTHETICALS
The third conditional is a bit more complex. It’s used to talk about unreal situations in
the past. The structure is If + [past perfect], … would have + [past participle].
For example, “If I had studied harder, I would have passed the exam.”
In this sentence, the condition is “If I had studied harder,” and the result is “I would
have passed the exam.”
This is an unreal situation—I didn’t study hard, and I didn’t pass the exam. But if I had
studied harder (in the past), I would have passed the exam (in the past).
Here are a few more examples:
If she had seen the sign, she wouldn’t have parked there.
If we had left earlier, we would have caught the train.
If he hadn’t forgotten his wallet, he would have paid the bill.
Remember, the third conditional is all about unreal situations in the past. It’s not
about what did happen but what could have happened in a different past.
Exceptions and special cases in
conditional sentences
Conditional sentences aren’t always cut and dry. There are exceptions
and special cases to consider. Sometimes, the standard structure of
conditional sentences might not apply. This is often due to the
context or the specific meaning we want to convey. Let’s look at some
of these exceptions and special cases.
 Mixed conditionals Inverted conditionals and formal structures

Mixed conditionals are a blend of second Inverted conditionals are a more formal
and third conditionals. They’re used when structure. They invert the subject and
the time referenced in the if clause is not the auxiliary verb in the if clause. For example,
same as the time referenced in the main “Had I known [instead of “If I had known”], I
clause. For example, “If I had worked harder would have acted differently.”
[past], I would be in a better job now These structures are more common in written
[present].” English and formal situations.
 CONCLUSION
Mastering conditional sentences can greatly enhance your English skills. They add
depth to your communication, whether in writing or speaking.
Remember, practice is key. Try creating your own sentences using the different
conditionals and don’t shy away from experimenting with exceptions and special
cases.
 THANK
YOU VERY
MUCH!