Conditional sentences, uses, definition, sentences, examples , with all types

 

What is a Conditional sentence?

·        Conditional sentences describe a situation and its possible result.

                                or

 

·        Contrary to fact, sentences with an If clause and main or result clause called conditional sentences.

 

               Whereas

·         Conditional sentences express “Hypothetical situations “

 

                               or

·         Conditional sentences sometimes show real, possible, or imaginary situation

 

Conditional sentences contain two clauses:

  If clause and main or result Clause.

In If clause we describe a condition and in result clause we say the result of the condition.

e.g.

        

If it rains today, we will not play.

If I won the lottery, I would help the disables.

If our team had played well, we would have won the final.

If I were you, I would forgive her.

If I had had money last year, I would have bought that house.

Note :  Generally we keep the If clause in the begging of the sentence  and Main or result clause after  comma, but sometimes we keep Main or result clause in the beginning of the sentence and if clause after comma. In this case we don’t keep comma between if clause and result clause.

e,g.  I would forgive her if I were you. (comma removed)

 

Remember:

 There are a few aspects of conditional sentences that should be memorized in order to make their use easier and clearer because new learners may face hurdles while using them properly.

·          Conditional sentences can be categorized as real and unreal. You can think of this as meaning possible or impossible.

·         Zero and first conditionals are possible as they deal with things that are generally true or that could be true in the future.

·         Second, third, and mixed conditionals are impossible because they are either hypothetical or concerned with events in the past that we cannot change.

·          Real Conditionals: Zero and First Unreal Conditionals: Second, Third, and Mixed so, first contextualize, make clear then keep the main or result clause.

 

·      How conditional sentences are formed?

 Remember :

Different types of conditionals show whether the situation is real, possible, or imaginary. We have different types of conditional sentences, each has its own structure and formation. Normally 1^st condition,2^nd and 3^rd condition are used in general life. The remaining two, mixed and zero condition are also used but not frequently.

In below chart you can see the Types, the situation where it is used and

Examples for it.

Zero Conditional	Facts / always true	If we heat water, it will boil.
First Conditional	Real future possibility	If she works hard, she will get the  1st position.
Second Conditional	Unreal / imaginary present	If I were there, I would teach her a lesson.
Third Conditional	Unreal past	If we had played well, we would have won the final.
Mixed Conditional	Past condition + present result	If I had reached earlier, I wouldn’t miss my Train..
Type 1: The First Conditional Used for real and possible situations in the future. If + present simple, will/won’t + base form of the  verb   ·         If it rains today, we will enjoy a lot.                       Possible future event ·         If she works hard, she will pass this test.               Likely out come ·         If I have time, I will visit you.                                        Conditional plan ·         If our team plays well, we will win this match easily.   Likely situation ·         If they come today, I will arrange a party.                      Possible future event

 

Type 2: Second Conditional Used for imaginary or unlikely situations in the present or future. Structure:                 If + past simple, would + base verb   ·         If I went there, I would enjoy for a week.                              Imaginary   ·         If Maria passed this test, I would be shocked.                        Impossible   ·         If I went to U.S.A, I would meet the president.                     Imaginary/impossible   ·         If I lived in Saudi Arabia, I would perform Hajj.                  Hypothetical   ·         If I stayed there for a week, I would get a job.                      Hypothetical   ·         If he spoke Arabian, He would get a job.                               Unreal condition

 

 Type 3: Third Conditional

Used for imaginary situations in the past — things that didn’t happen.

Structure:

 If + past perfect, would/could have + past participle ( 3-v )

1. If she had studied well, She would have cleared the test .	Regret about the past.
2. If you had told them, They would come to the party	Missed communication.
3. If she had known, she would have told us the reality .	Missed knowledge.
4. If we had seen the sign, we wouldn’t have turned wrong.	Past mistake.
5. If I had met him, I would have told him about you.	Unreal event.
6. If it hadn’t rained, we would have played our second match.	Weather caused it.

 Type 4: Mixed Conditionals

Used for situations that combine past and present time ( Both ).

 

1. If I had gone to bed earlier, I wouldn’t be tired now.
2. If I had studied art, I’d be a designer today.
3. If I had married her, I’d be living in Paris now.
4. If I had known you were here, I’d be talking to you.
5. If I had saved more money, I wouldn’t be broke now.
6. If I were more organized, I would have met the deadline.
7. If he were taller, he would have joined the team.
Type 0: Zero Conditional Used for facts, general truths, or laws of nature. Structure: ·        If + present simple, present simple 1. If you keep a chocolate at a hot place, it melts.   2. If you mix a color in water, water will change its color.   3. If people don’t drink water, they will face kidney problems. . 4. If you touch a fire, it burns. 5. If we don’t water a plant, it dies.