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CONDITIONAL SENTENCES

They are complex sentences, including two clauses. One clause introduces a condition, and the otherintroduces the result which depends on that condition. There are three types of conditionals,

depending on the meaning we want to express and accordingly using different verb tenses.They are usually introduced by the connector IF, but UNLESS can replace it sometimes.

1. FIRST CONDITIONAL

A. Structure

Condition Result

If + subject + present simple verb Subject + will / wont + base verb (basic structure)Modal verb

ImperativeThe order of the clauses can be C + , + R or R + C

Example : If you fail the exam , your parents will be very angry.

C RYour parents will be very angry if you fail the exam.If you need my help, phone me.(IMPERATIVE)You muststudy more if you dont want to fail.(MODAL)

B. Use

The first conditional is used to talk about real possibilities in the present or in the future. If the conditionis fulfilled, the result will be achieved.

Example: If you cook dinner, I'll wash the dishes.

C.The Zero Conditional

It is a variation of the first conditional. We use it when the results are habitual or automatic (generaltruths, scientific facts). The structure is as follows:

Condition Result

If + subject + present simple verb Subject + present simple verb

Most zero conditional sentences will mean the same thing if "when" is used instead of "if".Examples: IfI have a day off from work, I usually go to the beach.

When I have a day off from work, I usually go to the beach.

Using "if" suggests that something happens less frequently. Using "when" suggests that something

happens regularly.

D. Unless.

It is a negative word. It is equivalent to if + negative sentence. We cannot use unless in a negative

clause.Example: She wont come ifyou dont invite her.

She wont come unless you invite her.

variations

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2. SECOND CONDITIONAL

A. Structure

Condition Result

If + subject + past simple verb Subject + would/ wouldnt + base verb

Modal verbThe order of the clauses can be C + , + R or R + C

Example: Paula would be sad if Jan left.

Verb to be: We use were with singular and plural subject, because it is subjunctive. The rest of verbsmake no difference between past simple indicative and subjunctive. In general, we use the structure IfI were you to give advice.

Example: If I were you, I would drive more carefully in the rain.

B. Use

The second is used to talk about unreal situations in the present or in the future. It usually expresseswishes or hypotheses.

Examples: If I had the money, I would buy this car.(I do not have the money, so I cannot buy any new car).If dogs had wings, they would fly.(Definitely, dogs dont fly)

2. THIRD CONDITIONAL

A. Structure

Condition Result

If + subject + past perfect verb(had + pp)

Subject + would/ wouldnt + have + past participle (pp)Perfect modal verb (modal + have + pp)

The order of the clauses can be C + , + R or R + C

Examples: If I'd studied harder, I would have passed the exam.We could have won the game if we had played a little better.

B. Use

The third conditional is used to talk about unreal situations in the past. In other words, things which DIDNOT HAPPEN in the past (the action is impossible). The condition cannot be fulfilled because the actionin the if-clause did not happen. It usually introduces regrets and complains.While type 1 and type 2 focus on the present orfuture, the time in type 3 is the past.

Examples: If you had driven more carefully, you would not have had an accident.(You had an accident because you didn't drive carefully enough.)We wouldnt have missed the train if we had left home earlier(We left home too late)