Scribd
Upload
4 views3 pages

Conditional Sentences

The document explains conditional sentences, which consist of a main clause, a conjunction (if), and a conditional clause. It outlines four types of conditional sentences: zero, first, second, and third, each with specific structures and uses. Examples are provided for each type, highlighting common mistakes to avoid.

Uploaded by

lunardrift2
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
4 views3 pages

Conditional Sentences

The document explains conditional sentences, which consist of a main clause, a conjunction (if), and a conditional clause. It outlines four types of conditional sentences: zero, first, second, and third, each with specific structures and uses. Examples are provided for each type, highlighting common mistakes to avoid.

Uploaded by

lunardrift2
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

Conditional Sentences

A conditional sentence is formed by a main clause (the consequence or effect), a conjunction


(if), and a conditional clause (the condition or cause).

Example:
1) Jim will go to the beach if it is sunny.

Conditional Sentences
There are four types of conditional sentences.
It’s important to use the correct structure for each of these different conditional sentences
because they express varying meanings.
Pay attention to verb tense when using different conditional modes.

1) Zero Conditional Sentences


2) First Conditional Sentences
3) Second Conditional Sentences
4) Third Conditional Sentences

1) How to Use Zero Conditional Sentences


Zero conditional sentences express general truths—situations in which one thing always causes
another. When you use a zero conditional, you’re talking about a general truth rather than a
specific instance of something. Consider the following examples:

Example:
1) If you don’t brush your teeth, you get cavities.
2) When people smoke cigarettes, their health suffers.

Note: There are a couple of things to take note of in the above sentences in which the zero
conditional is used.
1) 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.

Example:
When people smoke cigarettes, their health will suffer . (Incorrect)

2) 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.

2) How to Use First Conditional Sentences


First conditional sentences are used to express situations in which the outcome is likely (but not
guaranteed) to happen in the future.:
Examples
1) If you rest, you will feel better.
2) If you set your mind to a goal, you’ll eventually achieve it.

Note: 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:

Examples:
If you will rest , you will feel better. (Incorrect)
If you rest , you will feel better. (Correct)

Explanation: Use the simple present tense in the if-clause.

3) How to Use Second Conditional Sentences


Second conditional sentences are useful for expressing outcomes that are completely
unrealistic or will not likely happen in the future. Consider the examples below:

Examples:
1) If I inherited a billion dollars, I would travel to the moon.
2) If I owned a zoo, I might let people interact with the animals more.

Note: 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:

Examples:
1) If I inherit a billion dollars, I would travel to the moon. (Incorrect)
2) If I inherited a billion dollars, I would travel to the moon. (Correct)

Explanation: When applying the second conditional, use the simple past tense in the if-clause.

Examples:
1) If I owned a zoo, I will let people interact with the animals more. (Incorrect)
2) If I owned a zoo, I might let people interact with the animals more. (Correct)

4) How to Use Third Conditional Sentences


Third conditional sentences are used to explain that present circumstances would be different if
something different had happened in the past. Look at the following examples:
Examples:
1) If you had told me you needed a ride, I would have left earlier.
2) If I had cleaned the house, I could have gone to the movies.

Note: 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, should, etc.) + have + past participle in the
main clause expresses the theoretical situation that could have happened.

Consider these common mistakes when applying the third conditional:

Examples:
1) If you would have told me you needed a ride, I would have left earlier. (Incorrect)
2) If you had told me you needed a ride, I would have left earlier. (Correct)

Explanation: With third conditional sentences, do not use a modal auxiliary verb in the
if-clause.

Examples:
1) If I had cleaned the house, I could go to the movies. (Incorrect)
2) If I had cleaned the house, I could have gone to the movies. (Correct)

Explanation: The third conditional mood expresses a situation that could have only happened
in the past if a certain condition had been met. That’s why we use the modal auxiliary verb +
have + the past participle.

You might also like