CONDITIONAL BSc.

1st Year, 1st semester

SENTENCES
Conditional Sentences | Definition & Examples

 A conditional sentence refers to a hypothetical situation and its

possible consequence.
 Conditional sentences always contain a subordinate clause that
expresses a condition (e.g., “If it snows tomorrow”) and a main
clause indicating the outcome of this condition (e.g., “school
will be canceled”).
 There are four main types of conditionals in English, each of
which expresses a specific level of likelihood or possibility.
 ZERO CONDITIONAL
SENTENCES
The zero conditional is used to indicate general truths,
scientific facts, or habits. In zero conditional sentences, both
the main clause and the conditional clause are normally in the
present simple tense.
Zero conditional sentences can also use “when” instead of “if,”
because they refer to general truths rather than specific
scenarios.
Example: If you don’t eat, you become hungry.
When you melt ice, it turns to water.
 FIRST CONDITIONAL
SENTENCES
First conditional sentences refer to a possible action in the present and its realistic
future consequence. Sentences using the first conditional contain two clauses:
•A subordinate clause with a verb in the present simple tense (e.g., “if you eat”)
•A main clause formed using a modal verb (usually “will,” “may,” “can,” or
“might”) along with the infinitive form of the main verb (e.g., “run”)
Examples: If Laura sleeps any longer, she will miss the bus.
If you don’t practice guitar, then you won’t improve.
I can drive Nick to the airport if he needs a lift.
Tip: In first conditional sentences, “unless” can be used instead of “if” to create
a negative conditional statement (e.g., “You won’t improve unless you practice
guitar”).
 SECOND CONDITIONAL SENTENCES
Second conditionals are used to refer to an improbable or impossible past or present
condition and its unlikely or unrealistic future consequence.
Sentences that use the second conditional contain two clauses:
•A subordinate clause with a verb in the past subjunctive form (e.g., “looked”)
•A main clause using a modal verb (usually “would,” “could,” or “might”) along with the
infinitive form of the main verb (e.g., “sing”)
Examples:If I were rich, then I would drive a different car every day.
If Bill talked less, he could finish more tasks.
Everyone would be unhappy if the flight were delayed.
Note:The past subjunctive form of the verb “be” is “were,” regardless of the subject (e.g.
“If I were you, I’d call in sick”). All other verbs in the past subjunctive are identical to
their past simple forms.
 THIRD CONDITIONAL
SENTENCES
Third conditional sentences are used to refer to an unreal past situation and
its past result. Sentences that use the third conditional contain two clauses:
•A subordinate clause with a verb in the past perfect tense (e.g., “if I had
worked”)
•A main clause using a modal verb (usually “would,” “could,” or “might”)
along with the auxiliary verb “have” and the past participle of the main verb
Examples: If you hadn’t burned the pie, it would have tasted delicious.
If Sander had studied more, then he might have gotten a better grade.
I would have labeled the files more clearly if I had known they were
important.
 MIXED CONDITIONAL
Mixed conditional sentences use a combination of the second and third conditionals.
The first type of mixed conditional is used to refer to an unreal past condition and its
ongoing consequence. Sentences that use the first type of mixed conditional contain two
clauses:
•A subordinate clause containing a verb in the past perfect tense (as in a third conditional)
•A main clause with a modal verb (usually “would”) and the infinitive form of the main
verb (as in a second conditional)
Examples: Type 1 mixed conditional sentences- If you had eaten your dinner,
you wouldn’t be hungry.
You would know there was a meeting if you had read the email.
 CONTINUATION..
The second type of mixed conditional sentence is used to describe an unreal past
condition and its past consequence. It’s formed using:
•A subordinate clause with a verb in the past subjunctive form (as in a second
conditional)
•A main clause containing a modal verb (usually “would”) along with the auxiliary
verb “have” and the past participle of the main verb (as in a third conditional)

Examples: Type 2 mixed conditional sentences- If you paid attention in school,

you would have learned more.
I would have invited you if I knew you were free.
 COMMON MISTAKE: ADDING “WOULD”
TO THE “IF” CLAUSE
Common mistake: Adding “would” to the “if” clause
When using conditional sentences, people sometimes add the modal verb “would” to
the subordinate clause. While “would” is often used in the main clause of second,
third, or mixed conditional sentences, it’s wrong to add “would” to the subordinate
clause.
Instead, subordinate clauses in the second conditional always use the past subjunctive
form, while subordinate clauses in the third conditional always use the past perfect
form.
•Examples: Modal verbs and conditionals- If you would drive to work, you would
arrive earlier.
•If you drove to work, you would arrive earlier.
•If he would have asked first, I might have agreed.
•If he had asked first, I might have agreed.