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Conditionals

A conditional sentence expresses a hypothetical situation and its potential outcome, consisting of a subordinate clause and a main clause. There are four main types of conditionals in English: zero, first, second, and third, each indicating different levels of likelihood or possibility. Mixed conditionals combine elements of the second and third conditionals to hypothesize about past actions affecting the present.

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4 views

Conditionals

A conditional sentence expresses a hypothetical situation and its potential outcome, consisting of a subordinate clause and a main clause. There are four main types of conditionals in English: zero, first, second, and third, each indicating different levels of likelihood or possibility. Mixed conditionals combine elements of the second and third conditionals to hypothesize about past actions affecting the present.

Uploaded by

mahazargouni1
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Conditionals

Zargouni Maha
What is a Conditional Sentence?

• 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.
The Zero Conditional

• We use the zero conditional to talk about permanent truths, such as


scientific facts, and general 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

The structure is: if/when + present simple >> present simple.

• examples:
If I drink too much coffee, I can't sleep at night.
When the sun goes down, it gets dark.
note
• Zero conditionals can also be used to make a command or request
or to give advice or instructions.
• In these instances, the conditional clause is in the present simple
tense and the main clause is in the imperative mood.
• Example:If you get lost, call me.
The First Conditional

• 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
• A main clause formed using a modal verb (usually “will,” “may,” “can,” or
“might”) along with the infinitive form of the main verb

• the structure is : if + present simple >> modal verb+ infinitive.


• examples:
• If you’re free later, we can go for a walk.
• If they’re hungry, I’ll make some sandwiches.
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”).
The Second Conditional

• Second conditionals are used to refer to an improbable or impossible past


or present condition and its unlikely or unrealistic future consequence.

• The structure is: if + past simple >> modal verb in the P.T( (usually
“would,” “could,” or “might”) + infinitive.

• Examples:
• If I were you, I wouldn't mention it.
• He would travel more if he was younger.
• Note:The past subjunctive form of the verb “be” is “were,” regardless of
the subject .All other verbs in the past subjunctive are identical to their
past simple forms.
The Third Conditional

• 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
• The structure is:if + past perfect>> (woukd,could,might)have + past
participle
Example:
If james had studied more, then he might have gotten a better
grade.
Mixed Conditionals

• It’s possible to combine the second and third conditional in


one sentence when we want to make a hypothesis about the
past that has a consequence in the present.
• In this case, the structure is:

Example:If you’d studied harder, you’d be at a higher level now.

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