Conditional Sentences

Conditional sentences allow us to express possibilities, hypothetical situations, and cause-effect relationships. They help us navigate the complex world of "what if." Different types of conditionals are as follows:

Zero Conditional

1. Use

General facts and laws of nature.

2. Form

If clause	Main clause
Simple Present	Simple Present

3. Examples

If clause		Main clause
If you freeze water,		it expands.
If you mix yellow and red,		you get orange.
Main clause	If clause
You get orange	If you mix yellow and red.

The word ‘if’ can almost always be substituted with ‘when’ without changing the meaning.

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First Conditional

1. Use

It is possible to fulfil a condition which is given in the if-clause.

2. Form

If clause	Main clause
Simple Present	will-future
	infinitive
	Modal + infinitive

3. Examples

If clause	Main clause
If I study,	I will pass the exams.
If you see John tonight,	tell him to e-mail me.
If Ben gets up early,	he can catch the bus.

The if-clause can be at the beginning or at the end of a sentence. Mind the comma.

If clause	Main clause
If I study,	I will pass the exams.
Main clause		If clause
I will pass the exams		if I study.

Second Conditional

1. Use

It is theoretically possible to fulfil a condition which is given in the if-clause.

2. Form

If clause	Main clause
Simple Past	would + infinitive
	could + infinitive
	might + infinitive

3. Examples

If clause	Main clause
If I studied,	I would pass the exams.
If I studied,	I could pass the exams.
If I studied,	I might pass the exams.
If he got more pocket money,	he would ask Reena out.
If Ravi went to the cinema,	he would watch a comedy film.

The if-clause can be at the beginning or at the end of a sentence. Mind the comma.

If clause	Main clause
If I studied,	I would pass the exams.
Main clause		If clause
I would pass the exams		if I studied.

Third Conditional

1. Use

It is impossible to fulfil a condition which is given in the if-clause. It’s too late to do so.

2. Form

If clause	Main clause
Past Perfect	would + have + past participle
	could + have + past participle
	might + have + past participle

3. Examples

If clause	Main clause

If I had studied,	I would have passed the exams.
If I had studied,	I could have passed the exams.
If I had studied,	I might have passed the exams.

Adjectives/Adverbsaaaa

Mixed Conditional

We can use mixed conditionals when we imagine:1) a past change with a result in the present or 2) a present change with a result in the past.

Use 1. Past/Present

A change in a past situation would have a result in the present.

Form

If clause	Main clause
Past Perfect	would + infinitive

Examples

If clause	Main clause

If we had bought that house,	we would be rich now.
If my parents hadn’t met,	I wouldn’t be here now.
If Ravi hadn't got the job in Mumbai,	he wouldn't be with Neha.

Use 2. Present/Past

A present change with a result in the past.

Form

If clause	Main clause
Simple Past	would + have + past participle

Examples

If clause	Main clause

If it weren’t really important,	I wouldn’t have called you on your holiday
If I lived closer to work,	I would have arrived earlier yesterday.
If he were more organized,	he would have finished the project on time.

Parents

-2022

Conditional Sentences

Third Conditional

1. Use

2. Form

3. Examples

Mixed Conditional

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