What are conditional sentences? Definition of Conditional sentences
Conditional sentences are sentences that express a condition and its possible results. Conditional sentences are complex sentences that contain two parts:
- The condition (if-clause): This part states the condition that needs to be met.
- The result (main clause): This part expresses what will happen if the condition is met.
For example, If it rains, I will take an umbrella. There is a real possibility that it might rain, and the action will happen if the condition is true. In conditional sentences the condition is always in the dependent clause and the result is in the independent clause. The phrase “If it rains” is a dependent clause and “I will take an umbrella.” is an independent clause.
In English, Conditional sentences can describe real or hypothetical situations, depending on the type of condition being used.
In English, there are five types of conditional sentences.
| Conditional | Representation | Example |
| Zero conditional | General truths or facts. The result always happens if the condition is met. | If you freeze water, it turns into ice. |
| First conditional | Real or possible situations in the present or future, with likely outcomes. | If it rains, we will cancel the picnic. |
| Second conditional | Hypothetical or unlikely situations in the present or future, with imagined results. | If I had a million dollars, I would buy a house. |
| Third conditional | Imaginary situations in the past, with results that didn’t happen. | If I had studied harder, I would have passed the test. |
| Mixed conditional | A combination of past and present conditions, often with past events affecting present consequences or vice versa. | If I had taken that job, I would be living in New York now. |
Types of conditional sentences
The Zero Conditional (General Truths)
The zero conditional is used to express general trust or facts. The result is always the same if the condition is met.
Structure:
- If + present simple, … present simple.
Example:
- If you heat water to 100°C, it boils.
(This is a general fact; heating water to 100°C always results in boiling.)
The First Conditional (Real Present or Future)
The first conditional describes situations that are possible in the present or future and their likely result.
Structure:
- If + present simple, will + base verb.
Example:
- If it rains, I will take an umbrella. (There is a real possibility that it might rain, and the action will happen if the condition is true.)
The Second Conditional (Unreal Present or Future)
The second conditional is used for hypothetical or unlikely situations in the present or future. It expresses an imaginary condition and its potential result.
Structure:
- If + past simple, would + base verb.
Example:
- If I won the lottery, I would travel the world. (The likelihood of winning is low, but this describes what would happen in that hypothetical situation.)
The Third Conditional (Unreal Past)
The third conditional refers to hypothetical situations in the past that did not happen and their imagined result.
Structure:
- If + past perfect, would have + past participle.
Example:
- If I had studied harder, I would have passed the exam. (The condition is unreal because it didn’t happen, and the result is hypothetical.)
The Mixed Conditional (Simplified)
A mixed conditional is a sentence that talks about a situation where the condition and the result happen in different time periods. It usually describes an imaginary situation where something in the past affects the present, or something in the present would have affected the past.
Two Types of Mixed Conditionals:
- Present Result of a Past Condition
This shows how a situation that didn’t happen in the past affects the present.
Structure:
- If + past perfect (condition), would + base verb (present result).
Example:
- If I had studied harder, I would have a good job now.
(I didn’t study hard in the past, so now I don’t have a good job.) - If I had eaten breakfast (past condition), I wouldn’t be hungry now (present result). (Because I didn’t eat breakfast, I’m hungry now.)
2. Past Result of a Present Condition
This shows how a situation that is not true in the present affects something that happened in the past.
Structure:
- If + past simple (condition), would have + past participle (past result).
Example:
- If I weren’t afraid of heights, I would have gone skydiving last year.
(Because I’m afraid of heights now, I didn’t go skydiving last year.)
If I were taller (present condition), I would have played basketball in high school (past result). (Because I’m not tall, I didn’t play basketball in high school.)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Conditional Sentences
What is a conditional sentence?
- A conditional sentence is a sentence that expresses a condition and its possible result. It consists of two parts: the condition (if-clause) and the result (main clause).
What are the 5 conditionals in English?
- The five main types of conditional sentences are: Zero Conditional, First Conditional, Second Conditional, Third Conditional, and Mixed Conditional.
What is the difference between the if-clause and the result clause?
- The if-clause (condition) states the requirement that needs to be fulfilled, while the result clause (main clause) expresses what will happen if the condition is met.
Can the word “if” be replaced with other expressions in conditional sentences?
- Yes, in some cases, “if” can be replaced with words like “unless” or “as long as,” depending on the sentence’s context.
What is the difference between real and hypothetical conditional sentences?
- Real conditionals (like the first conditional) express situations that are possible or likely, while hypothetical conditionals (like the second and third conditionals) describe imaginary or unlikely situations.
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