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Conditional Sentences

Conditional Sentences

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ChhotanBag
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Conditional Sentences

Conditional Sentences

Uploaded by

ChhotanBag
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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What are Conditional Sentences?

Conditional sentences express hypothetical situations and their possible results. They usually
consist of two parts:

• If-clause (condition): Describes the condition or situation.

• Main clause (result): Describes what will or could happen if the condition is fulfilled.

Types of Conditional Sentences

There are four main types of conditional sentences, based on the time and probability of the
condition.

1. Zero Conditional (Real or Universal Condition)

Usage: Expresses general truths, facts, or situations that always happen when the condition is
met.

• Structure: If + Present Simple, Present Simple

• Example:

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

o If the sun sets, it gets dark.

Rules:

• Both clauses use the present simple tense.

• It refers to a fact or something always true.

2. First Conditional (Real Possibility)

Usage: Expresses a possible or likely future event that depends on a certain condition. It talks
about realistic or likely situations.

• Structure: If + Present Simple, will + base verb

• Example:

o If it rains tomorrow, we will stay indoors.

o If I finish work early, I will go to the gym.

Rules:

• The if-clause uses the present simple tense, and the main clause uses will + base
verb.

• The result is a real possibility or something likely to happen in the future.


3. Second Conditional (Hypothetical or Unreal Present/Future Condition)

Usage: Expresses hypothetical, unlikely, or unreal situations in the present or future. It talks
about something that is not true or not likely to happen.

• Structure: If + Past Simple, would + base verb

• Example:

o If I were rich, I would travel the world.

o If I had a car, I would drive to work.

Rules:

• The if-clause uses the past simple tense, and the main clause uses would + base
verb.

• The situation is hypothetical or unlikely to happen.

Note: We often use were instead of was with "I" and "he/she" in the if-clause to express the
unreal or hypothetical condition:

• Correct: If I were you, I would study more.

• Incorrect: If I was you, I would study more.

4. Third Conditional (Unreal Past Condition)

Usage: Expresses a hypothetical situation that did not happen in the past. It talks about
something impossible or unreal because it refers to an event that has already passed.

• Structure: If + Past Perfect, would have + past participle

• Example:

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

o If they had left earlier, they would have caught the train.

Rules:

• The if-clause uses the past perfect tense, and the main clause uses would have +
past participle.

• The situation refers to something that did not happen in the past and is now
impossible.

5. Mixed Conditional (Past Condition with Present Result)

Usage: Expresses a past condition and its present consequence. The past action impacts the
present situation.

• Structure: If + Past Perfect, would + base verb


• Example:

o If I had known about the meeting, I would be at the office now.

o If she had studied harder, she would be a doctor now.

Rules:

• The if-clause uses past perfect, and the main clause uses would + base verb.

• The result is present, but the condition refers to past.

Summary of Conditional Sentences:

Type If-Clause Main Clause Example

If + Present
Zero Conditional Present Simple If you heat water, it boils.
Simple

If + Present
First Conditional will + Base Verb If it rains, I will stay home.
Simple

Second
If + Past Simple would + Base Verb If I were you, I would apologize.
Conditional

would have + Past If I had known, I would have


Third Conditional If + Past Perfect
Participle helped.

Mixed If I had studied, I would be


If + Past Perfect would + Base Verb
Conditional happy now.

Additional Notes on Conditional Sentences:

• Omitting "If": Sometimes, if can be omitted, especially in informal speech:

o If I were you → Were I you (formal)

o If he had known → Had he known (formal)

• Other Modal Verbs in Conditionals: Instead of will, other modals like can, may,
might, should can also appear in conditionals to express possibility, permission, or
advice.

o Example:

▪ If she studies hard, she might pass the test.

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