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conditional clauses

The document explains the use of four types of conditional sentences: zero, first, second, and third conditionals. Each type expresses different scenarios: zero for general truths, first for likely future outcomes, second for unrealistic situations, and third for past situations that did not occur. It also highlights common mistakes associated with each type and the correct grammatical structures to use.

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schmidtkonrad2007
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15 views

conditional clauses

The document explains the use of four types of conditional sentences: zero, first, second, and third conditionals. Each type expresses different scenarios: zero for general truths, first for likely future outcomes, second for unrealistic situations, and third for past situations that did not occur. It also highlights common mistakes associated with each type and the correct grammatical structures to use.

Uploaded by

schmidtkonrad2007
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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How to use zero conditional sentences

Zero conditional sentences express general truths—situations in which one


thing always causes another. When you use a zero conditional, you’re
talking about a general truth rather than a specific instance of something.
Consider the following examples:

Example: If you don’t brush your teeth, you get cavities.

Example: When people smoke cigarettes, their health suffers.

There are a couple of things to take note of in the above sentences using
the zero conditional. First, when using the zero conditional, the correct
tense in both clauses is the simple present tense. A common mistake is to
use the simple future tense.

Icorrect: When people smoke cigarettes, their health will suffer.

Second, notice that the words if and when can be used interchangeably in
these zero conditional sentences. This is because the outcome will be the
same any time the condition is in place; there’s no difference in meaning
for if and when to communicate.
How to use first conditional sentences
First conditional sentences are used to express situations in which the
outcome is likely (but not guaranteed) to happen in the future. Look at the
examples below:

Example: If you rest, you will feel better.

Example: If you set your mind to a goal, you’ll eventually achieve it.

Note that we use the simple present tense in the if-clause and the simple
future tense in the main clause—the clause that expresses the likely
outcome. This is how we indicate that under a certain condition (as
expressed in the if-clause), a specific result will likely happen in the future.
Examine some of the common mistakes people make using the first
conditional structure:

Incorrect: If you will rest, you will feel better.

Correct: If you rest, you will feel better.

Explanation: Use the simple present tense in the if-clause.

Incorrect: If you set your mind to a goal, you eventually achieve it.

Correct: If you set your mind to a goal, you’ll eventually achieve it.

Explanation: Use the zero conditional (simple present + simple present)


only when a certain result is guaranteed. If the result is likely, use the first
conditional (simple present + simple future).
How to use second conditional sentences

Second conditional sentences are useful for expressing outcomes that are
completely unrealistic or will not likely happen in the future. Consider the
examples below:

Example: If I inherited a billion dollars, I would travel to the moon.

Example: If I owned a zoo, I might let people interact with the animals more.

Notice that the correct way to structure second conditional sentences is to


use the simple past tense in the if-clause and a modal auxiliary verb
(e.g., could, should, would, might) in the main clause (the one that
expresses the unrealistic or unlikely outcome). The following sentences
illustrate a couple of the common mistakes people make when using the
second conditional:

Incorrect: If I inherit a billion dollars, I would travel to the moon.

Correct: If I inherited a billion dollars, I would travel to the moon.

Explanation: When applying the second conditional, use the simple past
tense in the if-clause.

Incorrect: If I owned a zoo, I will let people interact with the animals more.

Correct: If I owned a zoo, I might let people interact with the animals more.

Explanation: Use a modal auxiliary verb in the main clause when using the
second conditional to express the unlikelihood that the result will actually
happen.
How to use third conditional sentences

Third conditional sentences are used to explain that present circumstances


would be different if something different had happened in the past. Look at
the following examples:

Example: If you had told me you needed a ride, I would have left earlier.

Example: If I had cleaned the house, I could have gone to the movies.

These sentences express a condition that was likely enough but did not
actually happen in the past. The speaker in the first sentence was capable
of leaving early but did not. The speaker in the second sentence was
capable of cleaning the house but did not. These are both conditions that
were likely but (regrettably, in these cases) did not happen.

Note that when using the third conditional, we use the past
perfect (i.e., had + past participle) in the if-clause. The modal auxiliary
(would, could, should, etc.) + have + past participle in the main clause
expresses the theoretical situation that could have happened.

Consider these common mistakes when applying the third conditional:

Incorrect: If you would have told me you needed a ride, I would have left earlier.

Correct: If you had told me you needed a ride, I would have left earlier.

Explanation: With third conditional sentences, do not use a modal auxiliary


verb in the if-clause.

Incorrect: If I had cleaned the house, I could go to the movies.

Correct: If I had cleaned the house, I could have gone to the movies.

Explanation: The third conditional expresses a situation that could have


happened in the past only if a certain condition had been met. That’s why
we use the modal auxiliary verb + have + the past participle.

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