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Conditionals

The document explains English conditionals, which are sentences used to predict outcomes, guess past events, or express wishes. It outlines four types of conditionals: zero, first, second, and third, each with specific tense structures and uses. Additionally, it discusses variations in form and provides examples for clarity.

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3 views

Conditionals

The document explains English conditionals, which are sentences used to predict outcomes, guess past events, or express wishes. It outlines four types of conditionals: zero, first, second, and third, each with specific tense structures and uses. Additionally, it discusses variations in form and provides examples for clarity.

Uploaded by

lakshay.3061
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
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ENGLISH CONDITIONALS

Conditionals

What are Conditionals?

Conditionals are sentences used in English to


1. Predict what could happen
2. Guess what might have happened but didn’t
3. Wish what would happen

If you read this book, you will gain a lot of knowledge.


Smitha could have joined us if you had informed her on time.
Unless he owns up to his mistake, we cannot take him back on the team.

Characteristics of Conditionals
• They are complex sentences comprising a main clause and a dependent clause.

If my parents let me, I will join you for the movie.


Dependent clause Main clause

• The dependent clause starts with ‘If...’ and is also known as an ‘if clause’.

If time permits, we can watch a movie.

• They are made with different tenses.

If you keep the door open, the cat will run out.
Simple present tense Simple future tense

• In the case of negative sentences, ‘unless’ is used instead of ‘if’.

Unless he owns up to his mistake, the team will not take him back.
Negative clause
ENGLISH CONDITIONALS

Types of Conditionals
There are four types of conditionals in English.
• Zero conditional
• First conditional
• Second conditional
• Third conditional

Zero Conditional
• The zero conditional is used for expressing general truths.
• The result of a zero conditional is always true.
• The dependent clause and the main clause of a zero conditional are in the simple present tense.

If the snow melts, the roads become slippery.


Simple present tense Simple present tense

More examples:

Dependent Clause Main Clause


If Mahesh buys a car, his jealous neighbour also buys a car.
If you fail to show up, the opportunity goes to someone else.
If it rains, little green shoots erupt out of the earth.

First Conditional
• The first conditional talks about possibilities in the present or the future.
• It speaks about things which may happen.
• The dependent clause is in the simple present tense and the main clause is in the simple future
tense.

If he arrives in 10 minutes, we will apprise him of the matter.


Simple present tense Simple future tense

More examples:

Dependent Clause Main Clause


If you lead a simple life, you will have no anxieties.
If it rains, we will need an umbrella.
If you order now, you will receive a free subscription for a year.
ENGLISH CONDITIONALS

Second Conditional
• The second conditional talks about hypothetical or unreal situations in the present or in the future.
• It speaks about things which have a slim chance of happening.
• The dependent clause is in the simple past tense and the main clause is in the simple future tense.

If I had your sense of humour, I would consider a career in comedy.


Simple past tense Simple future tense

More examples:

Dependent Clause Main Clause


If we had the means, we would buy a car.
If I were the Prime Minister, I would strive for the alleviation of poverty.
If Manish had more time, he would finish his paper.

Third Conditional
• The third conditional is used to express improbable situations in the past.
• It speaks of conditions in the past which didn’t happen or are impossible.
• The dependent clause is in the past perfect tense and the main clause is in the future perfect
tense.

If I had saved enough money, I would have bought that house.


Past perfect tense Future perfect tense

More examples:

Dependent Clause Main Clause


If she had informed us, we would have cancelled our plans.
If they hadn’t worked hard, they would not have won.
If the purse had been stolen, Manisha would have been left penniless.
ENGLISH CONDITIONALS

Variations in Form
• The order of the clauses of the conditions can be changed. The sentence can start with the main
clause and end with the dependent clause.

Krishna would have failed if Balram hadn’t intervened on time.


Future perfect tense Past perfect tense

• Sometimes, the order of the verbs and the nouns in the conditional sentence can also vary. In such
cases, ‘if’ is optional.

Were I in your place, I would set the records straight.

Revision

Usage Dependent Clause Main Clause


Zero Conditional Facts If + Simple Present Simple Present
First Conditional Possibilities If + Simple Present Simple Future
Second Conditional Unreal Situations If + Simple Past Simple Future
Third Conditional Improbable Situations If + Past Perfect Future Perfect

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