Scribd
Upload
27 views

Conditional

The document discusses the different types of conditional sentences in English. There are five main types: zero conditional, type 1 conditional, type 2 conditional, type 3 conditional, and mixed conditional. Each type uses a different combination of verb tenses in the if-clause and main clause to indicate time frames and likelihood. For example, a type 2 conditional uses past simple in the if-clause and present conditional in the main clause to refer to an unlikely hypothetical situation.

Uploaded by

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

Conditional

The document discusses the different types of conditional sentences in English. There are five main types: zero conditional, type 1 conditional, type 2 conditional, type 3 conditional, and mixed conditional. Each type uses a different combination of verb tenses in the if-clause and main clause to indicate time frames and likelihood. For example, a type 2 conditional uses past simple in the if-clause and present conditional in the main clause to refer to an unlikely hypothetical situation.

Uploaded by

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

Conditional

Conditional tenses are used to speculate about what could happen, what might have happened,
and what we wish would happen. In English, most sentences using the conditional contain the
word if. Many conditional forms in English are used in sentences that include verbs in one of the
past tenses. This usage is referred to as "the unreal past" because we use a past tense but we are
not actually referring to something that happened in the past. There are five main ways of
constructing conditional sentences in English. In all cases, these sentences are made up of an if
clause and a main clause. In many negative conditional sentences, there is an equivalent sentence
construction using "unless" instead of "if".

Conditional If clause
Usage Main clause verb tense
sentence type verb tense
Simple
Zero General truths Simple present
present
A possible condition and its Simple
Type 1 Simple future
probable result present
A hypothetical condition and its Present conditional or Present
Type 2 Simple past
probable result continuous conditional
An unreal past condition and its
Type 3 Past perfect Perfect conditional
probable result in the past
An unreal past condition and its
Mixed type Past perfect Present contditional
probable result in the present

The zero conditional

The zero conditional is used for when the time being referred to is now or always and the
situation is real and possible. The zero conditional is often used to refer to general truths. The
tense in both parts of the sentence is the simple present. In zero conditional sentences, the word
"if" can usually be replaced by the word "when" without changing the meaning.

If clause Main clause


If + simple present simple present
If this thing happens that thing happens.
If you heat ice it melts.
If it rains the grass gets wet.

Read more about how to use the zero conditional.

Type 1 conditional

The type 1 conditional is used to refer to the present or future where the situation is real. The
type 1 conditional refers to a possible condition and its probable result. In these sentences the if
clause is in the simple present, and the main clause is in the simple future.

If clause Main clause


If + simple present simple future
If this thing happens that thing will happen.
If you don't hurry you will miss the train.
If it rains today you will get wet.

Read more about how to use the type 1 conditional.

Type 2 conditional
The type 2 conditional is used to refer to a time that is now or any time, and a situation that is
unreal. These sentences are not based on fact. The type 2 conditional is used to refer to a
hypothetical condition and its probable result. In type 2 conditional sentences, the if clause uses
the simple past, and the main clause uses the present conditional.

If clause Main clause


If + simple past present conditional or present continuous conditional
that thing would happen. (but I'm not sure this thing will happen) OR
If this thing happened
that thing would be happening.
If you went to bed earlier you would not be so tired.
If it rained you would get wet.
If I spoke Italian I would be working in Italy.

Read more about how to use the type 2 conditional with the present conditional and how to use
the present continuous conditional in type 2 conditional sentence.

Type 3 conditional

The type 3 conditional is used to refer to a time that is in the past, and a situation that is
contrary to reality. The facts they are based on are the opposite of what is expressed. The type 3
conditional is used to refer to an unreal past condition and its probable past result. In type 3
conditional sentences, the if clause uses the past perfect, and the main clause uses the perfect
conditional.

If clause Main clause


If + past perfect perfect conditional or perfect continuous conditional
that thing would have happened. (but neither of those things really
If this thing had happened happened) OR
that thing would have been happening.
If you had studied harder you would have passed the exam.
If it had rained you would have gotten wet.
If I had accepted that
I would have been working in Milan.
promotion

Read more about how to use the type 3 conditional with the perfect conditional tense, and how to
use the perfect continuous conditional in type 3 conditional sentences.

Mixed type conditional

The mixed type conditional is used to refer to a time that is in the past, and a situation that is
ongoing into the present. The facts they are based on are the opposite of what is expressed. The
mixed type conditional is used to refer to an unreal past condition and its probable result in the
present. In mixed type conditional sentences, the if clause uses the past perfect, and the main
clause uses the present conditional.

If clause Main clause


If + past perfect or simple
present conditional or perfect conditional
past
that thing would happen. (but this thing didn't happen so that thing
If this thing had happened
isn't happening)
If I had worked harder at
I would have a better job now.
school
If we had looked at the map we wouldn't be lost.
If you weren't afraid of
you would have picked it up and put it outside.
spiders
Examples of Conditional Conjunctions
Conditional conjunctions are found in sentences with two clauses where one clause describes
something that did or will happen, if the condition of the other clause was or is satisfied.
Conditional conjunctions can be a single word like "if" or several words like "so long as" placed
at the beginning of the clause to describe the condition that needs to be met.

Conditional Conjunctions in Sentences


Here are examples of conditional conjunctions and sentences that contain them:

 After - After he gets the promotion, he will get a new office.


 As a consequence of - As a consequence of studying hard, you will pass the exam.
 As a result of - As a result of seismic testing, oil was discovered on Henry’s land.
 As long as - As long as I am capable, I will ride my bike to work.
 As soon as - The parade will start as soon as the mayor arrives.
 Assuming that - You can get a red dress assuming that one is on sale.
 Because - Because it is raining, we will take our umbrellas.
 Before - She will finish the report before the meeting.
 But for - We would have been lost but for the map.
 Despite this - Despite this setback, we will achieve our goals.
 Even if - Even if she loses her job, she will still have a job in education.
 If - If you brush and floss every day, you probably won’t get cavities or gum disease.
 If only - If only I had practiced longer, I would have made the shot.
 In case - In case of fire, please use the stairs.
 In order - In order to get the best price, Mary shopped at three stores.
 In the event - In the event of the president’s death, the vice president will take his place.
 No matter how - No matter how many excuses you have, you are grounded.
 Now that - Now that all the supervisors are here, the meeting can begin.
 Once - Once the chores are done, we will go to the park.
 Only if - We will perform a few songs only if the profits go to charity.
 On the condition that - You will get the job on the condition that you will work every
other Saturday.
 Provided - I will go to the prom with you provided you apologize.
 Providing that - We will give you the money providing that you can pay it back within six
months.
 Since - Since it is autumn, there are many leaves on the ground.
 So long as - So long as you eat healthy, you won’t get sick.
 Supposing that - Supposing that you got the job, would you accept the position?
 Therefore - The mortgage was not paid, therefore the bank foreclosed.
 Unless - Unless you have purchased tickets already, you won’t be able to attend the show.
 Until - No, they don't talk to me until I talk to them.
 When - When I get hungry, I will go to a restaurant.
 Whenever - Whenever I eat spicy food, I get hives.
 Wherever - Wherever there are flowers, bees will come to pollinate.
 Whether or not - He spent all his paycheck on clothes, whether that was smart or not.
 Yet - The picnic was interrupted by rain, yet we all had a fabulous time.

You might also like