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Conditional Sentences

CONDITIONALS I, II, AND III

IF-SENTENCES

And

IF and THEN ClausesConditional sentences have at least two clauses: IF clauses and THEN clauses.

Examples:

If I have choice to watch a movie, then I prefer to watch a comedy.

If I make a silly mistake, then I usually laugh.

If I usually laugh , then I scream.

IF Clauses (the condition)

IF clauses present the condition.

Examples:

If I have choice to watch a movie…

If I make a silly mistake…

If I usually laugh…

THEN Clauses (the results)

THEN clauses present the results.

Examples:

… then I prefer to watch a comedy

…then I usually laugh

…then I scream

Remember !

The four words that NEVER (well, almost never) appear in the IF clause are:

will, won’t, would, wouldn’t

Example:

If we will see it, we will be angry.Request:-

If you will just wait a moment, I will just find someone to help you.

Conditional 1: (expressing possibility)

Definition:Conditional 1 sentences are used to express things that happen (or will happen in future) when certain conditions are fulfilled. The condition may not be fulfilled; there is no certainty.

Structure and UsageStructure:- If + Simple present tense + will /can /shall /may +Bare infinitive

Example:-I. If the weather improves by midday, we shall take a

walk to the lake

II. If she runs fast, she will catch the bus (Present meaning).

III. If I don’t stop smoking, I’ll never get better. (future)

 

First Conditional: Variations of tense

The if clause is usually in the present simple. However,

we can also use: Present continuous:

If he's still waiting for you, he'll be very angry.

 Present perfect simple:

If zeshan's received your letter, he'll phone you.

Present perfect continuous:

If it's been raining all night, you'll have to wear boots.

The Main clauseThe main clause usually has the verb will / shall. But we can also use: Can / could, may / might, should / ought to, must

We use models in order to make prediction, intention and to show the possibility.

Examples:- 

Prediction: If I win the lottery, I can go to Paris.Intention: If I win the lottery, I will go to Paris. Possibility:

If Zeshan win the lottery, He might go to Paris. 

The Zero Conditional

Structure:- If + present tense +present tenseUses:-

The zero conditional describes situations that are always true. . Habitual and general facts

Examples:I. If I go to school, I get up at seven. (Whenever I go to school I

get up at the same time.)(Habitual)

II. Whenever you heat water it boils.

III. When it rains hard, everyone stays indoors.

IV. If you cut your finger, you bleed (Fact) If = when or whenever

Unless

Unless = if not

Example:

I. If we don’t finish soon, we will miss the train.

II. Unless we finish soon, we will miss the train.

Conditional 2: Imaginary or unreal conditional sentence.

Definition:-

We use the second conditional to talk about an imaginary or unlikely situation and to describe its result. We talk about the imaginary or unlikely situation with IF + past Simple; we talk about the result with WOULD (or WOULDN’T for negative sentences).

When something is NOT possible now, or in the future.

Structure and usesStructure:- If + simple past + would/could/should/might + Bare infinitive

Examples: If I had a lot of money, I would give some away to that charity. If a stranger asked me for money, I wouldn’t give him any. I wouldn’t be late if I flew to school. If you see a thief stealing, what would you do?

Special Rules for Conditional II

“To be” is always “were”

Example:

If he were here, he would do it.

(Fact: He’s not here, so it’s impossible.)You can drop the “if” by moving the “were” to the front.

Example:

Were he here, he would do it.

Uses

When the supposition is contrary to known facts

Example:-

If I lived near my office, I would in time for work.

If I were you, I would plant some trees

round the house.

To give advice

Examples:-• If I were you, I'd call the doctor.If I were you, I’d start studying that book as soon as possible.

• If we would ate cake, I’d get fate. • Request:-• If you would like to come this way ,the doctor will see you.

 

Second Conditional variations of tense

The if clause:- The if clause is usually in the past simple. However, we can also use:

Instead of past simple we can have:

Past continuous:

If my car was working, I would drive you to the station.

Past perfect:

If he had taken my advice, he would be a rich man.

The Main clause

• Might or could may be used instead of would

•Examples:-

Certainty-would

If you tried again you would succeed.

Possibility-might

If you tried again you might succeed.

Conditional 3: hypothetical conditionals

Definition:-Conditional type 3 sentences are used to express hypothetical

situations or impossibilities because the conditions on which

the results (or outcomes) depended were not fulfilled.

Making believe” about the past, assuming something that

wasn’t true

Structure:-

If – clause + past perfect + main clause would / should /

could/ might + perfect infinitive.

Examples:

If he had worked hard, he would have passed.

If she had gone there, they would have helped her.

Uses:-

It is used to describe contrary -to –fact

past situations.

To criticizing people and pointing out their mistakes

Example:-

If you had been more careful, you wouldn’t have cut yourself.

If Zeshan had set his alarm clock, he wouldn’t have overslept.

To express regret about the past• Example:- If I hadn’t fallen ill and missed the interview, I might have got the job. If I had gone to university, I would have got a better job.

Special Rules for Conditional IIIYou can drop the “if” by moving the “had” to the front.

• Example:

If he had been there, we would have done it.

Had he been there, we would have done it.

Be careful !! Although you are starting with a “little verb”, this is not a question !!

Good Luck !!Just remember to ask yourself:

1) Is the situation possible or impossible?

2) Is the situation in the past or in the present/future?

Prepared: Rizwan Maqsood

Master in English Literature & Linguistics

The End !