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Conditionals Module

Conditional sentences express cause and effect situations using 'if...then' statements, consisting of a conditional clause and a main clause. They are categorized into zero, first, second, and third conditionals, each serving different purposes based on the likelihood and timing of the situations described. Understanding the structure and usage of these sentences helps in recognizing and forming conditional statements effectively.

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Conditionals Module

Conditional sentences express cause and effect situations using 'if...then' statements, consisting of a conditional clause and a main clause. They are categorized into zero, first, second, and third conditionals, each serving different purposes based on the likelihood and timing of the situations described. Understanding the structure and usage of these sentences helps in recognizing and forming conditional statements effectively.

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z8gknqgrj7
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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CONDITIONALS

A conditional sentence tells the “conditions” in which something happens. It shows a


possible cause and effect situation in the form of an “if…then” statement—in fact, every
conditional sentence has a clause beginning with “if.” Conditional sentences let us
express things that might or could have happened, could still happen, we wish could
happen, or always happen in specific circumstances.
Examples
Conditional sentences are made of two clauses: one beginning with “if,” and one main
clause. The order of the clauses can change. Here are some examples:
 If you love me, let me go!
 I wouldn’t be here if I had never met you.
 If opportunity knocks, open the door.
 You can’t be shy if you want to make friends.
Parts of Conditional Sentences
A conditional sentence has two clauses that really rely on each other to make sense—a
conditional clause (which is a dependent clause) and a main clause (which is
the independent clause). The tenses of these clauses determine the type of conditional
sentence, which the next section will explain.

a. Conditional Clause
The conditional clause is a dependent clause beginning with “if.” All conditional
sentences have a clause beginning with “if” because it expresses the conditions (what
must or might have happen), like this:
 If you want
 If I am late to school
 If you don’t do your homework
 If I hadn’t eaten so much candy
Whenever a clause begins with “if,” it depends on more information to be complete—it
must be paired with an independent clause. So, the dependent clause is only half of a
conditional sentence, and couldn’t be a sentence on its own.

b. Main Clause
The main clause is what provides the rest of the information to complete a conditional
sentence. It’s an independent clause that states the result of the conditional “if” clause.
In other words, it’s the “then” part of an if/then situation. In these examples, the main
clauses are underlined..
 If you want, I can go with you to the store.
 If I am late to school, I will get detention.
 If I don’t do my homework, the teacher yells.
 If I hadn’t eaten so much candy, I might be hungry

As you can see, these main clauses express complete thoughts and can be sentences on
their own. But, you can also see that we also need them to complete the thoughts of the
dependent clauses!

As a rule, conditional sentences are categorized by whether their situations are “real” or
“imagined.” However, there are many types and forms of conditional statements, and
they can be quite complicated, varying depending on time, its likeliness of occurring,
and other factors. This lesson will help you understand the basics, and teach you how
to recognize a conditional sentence when you see one.

Conditional sentences are divided into different types.

ZERO CONDITIONAL (GENERAL TRUTHS/FACTUAL CONDITIONAL)

We use the zero conditional to talk about things that are generally true, especially
for laws and rules.

STRUCTURE:

IF CLAUSE MAIN CLAUSE


If (When) + Simple Present/Past → Simple Present/Past

In this type of conditional, we can replace IF with WHEN


If (When) I like the project, I generate ideas easily.

If (When) I liked the project, I generated ideas easily. If I


drink too much coffee, I can’t sleep at night.

MAIN CLAUSE IF CLAUSE

Simple Present → If/When + Simple Present


More examples:
People die if they don’t eat.

Water freezes when the temperature is 0°C.

FIRST CONDITIONAL (REAL POSSIBILITY/FUTURE CONDITIONAL)

We use the first conditional when we talk about future situations we believe are real or
possible.

STRUCTURE:

IF CLAUSE MAIN CLAUSE


If /When + Simple Present → Simple Future

If I like a project, I will generate ideas easily. If I


have money, I will buy some new shoes.

MAIN CLAUSE IF CLAUSE


Simple Future → If/When + Simple Present

I will not go to the park if it rains tomorrow. I


will leave if mother arrives.

SECOND CONDITIONAL (PRESENT/FUTURE UNREAL CONDITIONAL)


The second conditional is used to imagine present or future situations that are
impossible or unlikely in reality.

STRUCTURE:

IF CLAUSE MAIN CLAUSE


If + Simple Past → would/could + base verb

If I won a lot of money, I would buy a big house.

If I were rich, I would stop working for the rest of my life. If I


had a little more money, I could buy a car.
MAIN CLAUSE IF CLAUSE
would/could + base verb → if + Simple Past

He would travel more if he was younger. I


would tell you if I knew his name.

The second conditional is also used when making polite requests.

Examples: I would be grateful if you helped me.

He would be so pleased if you came to the birthday party.

The phrases, If I were you or If I were in your place are usually used to give
advice.

Examples: If I were you, I would accept the offer. If he


were in your place, he would do it.

THIRD CONDITIONAL (PAST UNREAL CONDITIONALS)


The third conditional sentences always refer to the past. We speculate about situations
that happened or did not happen in the past.

STRUCTURE:
IF CLAUSE MAIN CLAUSE
If + Past Perfect → would/could/+ have + past participle

If I had won a million, I would have started a business of my own. (But I didn’t win anything.)
If he had met her, he would have told her. (Unfortunately, he didn’t meet her.)

If we hadn’t practiced, we wouldn’t have won the match. (But we practiced and won.)

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