Conditional Sentences are also known as Conditional Clauses or
If Clauses. They are used to express that the action in the main clause
(without if) can only take place if a certain condition (in the clause with if)
is fulfilled.
In English language teaching, conditional sentences are often
classified under the headings zero conditional, first conditional, second
conditional and third conditional.
- Zero Conditional
Zero conditional is used for talking about General Truths/Facts.
Things which always happen under certain conditions
The structure of a zero conditional sentence:
If clause (Present tense), result clause (Present tense)
Examples:
If it rains in Petropolis, it can be dangerous.
When markets crash, everyone suffers (We can changer if
– for when)
If you jump through the window, you can die.
- First
Conditional
The first conditional is used to talk about future events that are
likely to happen.
The structure of a first conditional sentence:
If clause (Simple Present), result (Future tense)
Examples:
If it's sunny, we'll go to the park.
If I have money, I will buy a car.
If she takes a taxi, she'll get there in time.
- Second
Conditional
The second conditional is used to talk about unlikely situations.
The structure of a second conditional sentence:
If clause (Past Simple), result (WOULD + Base Verb)
Examples:
If there were no hungry people in this world, it would be a much
better place.
If I won a million dollars, I could stop working.
If I knew her name, I would tell you.
- Third
Conditional
The third conditional is used to talk about unreal situations in
the past.
The structure of a third conditional sentence:
If clause (Past Perfect), result (WOULD HAVE + Past Participle)
Examples:
If I had studied harder, I probably would have passed the exam.
If I had won the lottery, I would have bought a car.
If he had arrived earlier, he wouldn't have missed the flight.
