Conditionals

Conditionals

 What are conditionals?

Conditionals are grammatical structures that we use to show conditions and their outcomes. These structures are used to show possibilities, hypothetical situations, cause-and-effect relations, or logical outcomes.

• If they wish, we will meet them.
• If you were our teacher, we would be fortunate.
• If he had misguided them, I would not have left him.
• If he has money, he distributes it among the needy people.

What are the 4 types of conditionals?

The four types of conditionals are type 1 conditional (first conditional), type 2 conditional (second conditional), type 3 conditional (third conditional), and zero conditional.

Type 1 Conditional

Type 1 conditional is a grammatical structure that shows a condition and its probable outcome in the present or future. It means an event has a possible outcome in the present or future under a certain condition.

• If Lisa picks up him, he will come.
• If John wishes, we will visit our uncle.

Type 2 Conditional

Type 2 conditional is a grammatical structure that shows a hypothetical situation or untrue situation in the present or future. It is a hypothetical condition without any possible outcome in the present or future.

• If John saved some money, he would have money to start a business.
• If he informed the employees on time, they would attend the meeting.

Type 3 Conditional

Type 3 conditional is a grammatical structure that shows an event could have happened in the past under a certain condition. It means the event did not happen in the past and shows an untrue situation in the past.

• If I had cooked the meal, it would have been tastier.
• If I had changed my field of study, I would have studied computer courses.

Zero Conditional

Zero conditional is a grammatical condition. It is used to show that the result of the condition is 100 percent true. It shows a scientific fact, general fact, or habit.

• If it gets dark, some lights automatically turn on.
• If he meets John, they call me to come.

What are conditional sentences in English grammar?

• If we heat jaggery, it melts.
• If they come late, we won’t eat out.
• They go out on a picnic if they have time.
• If she had promised, I would have let her.
• You can pay half if you don’t have money now.
• If they had money, they would buy a new house.
• What would you cook for us if you were the cook?
• If she reminded me on time, I would do something about that.
• What would you do if you had a chance to do something for the betterment of your society?

Structure of Conditionals

A conditional consists of two clauses. One of them is a conditional clause, and the other is the outcome of the conditional clause. Most commonly, a conditional clause is headed by the word “if”. When, unless, or in case can also be used at the beginning of a conditional clause.

Structure of Type 1 Conditional

If + Simple present tense + Comma + Simple future tense

Simple present tense + If + Simple present tense

• If you want to become a rich businessman, you should take high risks.
• You should take high risks if you want to become a rich businessman.

Structure of Type 2 Conditional

If + Simple past tense + Comma + Subject +Would/could/might/should + Verb (base form)

Subject +Would/could/might/should + Verb (base form) + If + Simple past tense

• If he blinked, I would understand.
• I would understand if he blinked.

Structure of Type 3 Conditional

If + Past Perfect Tense + Comma + Subject + Would/could/might/should + have + Verb (past participle)

Subject + Would/could/might/should + have + Verb (past participle) + If + Past Perfect Tense

• If I had informed him, he could have attended the meeting.
• He could have attended the meeting if I had informed him.

Structure of Zero Conditional

If + Simple present tense + Comma + Simple future tense

Simple present tense + If + Simple present tense

• If you dive into the water, you get wet.
• You get wet if you dive into the water.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the if clause?

A clause that starts with “if” is called if clause. All conditional clauses are headed by “if”; therefore, we call them if clauses.

• If he drives, I won’t go with you because he does not drive carefully.

How do we punctuate conditionals?

Conditionals consist of two clauses. When we use a conditional clause at first, we use a comma after the conditional clause. On the other hand, when a conditional clause comes after the main clause, we don’t need to use a comma.

• If he drives well, I will hire him as a driver.
• I will hire him as a driver if he drives well.

What are the parts of conditionals?

Each conditional has two parts or two clauses. One is a conditional clause, and the other is a result clause. The result clause is also called the main clause.

• If you want to eat out, I will pay the bill for you.
• If she properly edited the article, there would be no mistakes in the article.

What is the most common mistake made in conditionals?

The most common mistake that people make in conditionals is using will in conditional clauses. We never use will in conditional clauses.

• If he suggests, we will sign the deed. Correct
• If he will suggest, we will sign the deed. Not Correct

What are conditional clauses?

A clause that shows a condition is called a conditional clause. If you try your best, you will be able to get success in your life. “If you try your best” is the conditional clause that shows the condition. If the condition is met, the outcome “you will be able to get success in your life” is possible.