Conditionals in English Grammar

Conditionals in English Grammar

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Conditionals in English Grammar

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conditionals in English grammar

What are the 4 types of conditionals in English grammar?

Daily grammar lesson with Elo Kasia. What are conditionals in English grammar? Introduction to conditional sentences with a lot of examples of usage for each conditional in English grammar.

What are conditionals in the English grammar? They are often confusing to students of English, so I will try to explain this topic using simple language and plenty of examples.

Conditional sentences are used to talk about events and their results.

 If (conditional) clause Main clause

The two events are connected. One event or situation is a condition for another event or situation to happen. These events could be factual (real) or hypothetical (unreal, imaginary).

The results could be in the present, future or past.   Conditional sentences express different degrees of possibility. Sometimes the situations are likely, or possible to happen, sometimes they are very unlikely (almost impossible), or they can be used to talk about unreal situations which did not happen, but we talk about “what if” the past had been different.

 How do we form conditional sentences?

They are made using different English verb tenses, depending on what type of situation you are describing.

 What are the different types of conditional sentences?

Depending on “how possible” a situation is to happen; we differentiate between 4 different types of conditional sentences.

  Factual conditional (usually known as 0-conditional)

Used to talk about habits, scientific facts and general truths, if something else happens first.

Note that the order of the sentences can be changed so that the “if” clause can come at the beginning or in the middle. The meaning does not change. Caution about punctuation. When you start your sentence with “if”, it is necessary to have a comma after the first clause, however when your “if” clause comes second, no comma is needed. Also, not only “if” but other words, such as “when”, or “unless” can be used. Either of the clauses can be positive or negative. Zero conditional clauses are often used to give instructions.

Form: If/ when/ unless + present simple —– present simple

Examples:

• If a dog is happy, it wags its tail. or A dog is happy if it wags its tail. (notice that you need a comma in the first sentence but not the second)
• Ice melts if you heat it up.
• If you mix hydrogen and oxygen, you get water.
• If you leave the room, don’t forget to close the window.
• You need to work hard if you want to succeed.
• If you don’t study regularly, you fall behind other students.
• When it snows, the roads are slippery.
• Students get punished when they aren’t on time.
• Unless he asks you nicely, do not lend him money.
• This job is not suitable unless you have a car.

Possible conditional (1st conditional)

Used to talk about possible future events and their likely results. Not only “if” but other words, such as “when”, or “unless” can be used.

Either of the clauses can be positive or negative. Note that the order of the sentences can be changed so that the “if” clause can come at the beginning or in the middle. The meaning does not change.

Form: If/ unless/ when/ as soon as + present simple —- will

Example:

• If it is sunny tomorrow, we will go to the beach.
• We will be late if we don’t hurry up.
• When he gets the e-mail, he will let you know.
• I will call you when I have my lunch break.
• Unless you lend me money, I won’t be able to go to the concert.
• I won’t pass the driving test unless I get some more practical lessons.
• As soon as he arrives, we will leave.

Present unreal conditional (2nd conditional)

Used when you want to imagine a different reality than it is now. Here we describe a situation which is very unlikely or impossible to happen.

Form: If + past simple —- would + verb

Examples:

• If I had a lot of money, I would give up my job and move abroad.
• I would buy a house in the Bahamas if I won the lottery.
• If I knew the answer, I would tell you.
• If we had the key, we would get into the house.
• Sue wouldn’t do her work if she didn’t like it.
• Peter would be angry if I told him what had happened.
• If a car broke down, I wouldn’t know what to do.
• It would be nice if you had more time to chat with me.
• If the salary was better, I would take the job.
• If I were you, I wouldn’t worry about it.

Past unreal conditional (3rd conditional)

Used to imagine a different past than the one that happened and often to express regret.

Either of the clauses can be positive or negative. Note that the order of the sentences can be changed so that the “if” clause can come at the beginning or in the middle. The meaning does not change.

Form: If + past perfect —- would have + verb

Example:

• If I had studied harder, I would have passed my exams.
• They wouldn’t have had the accident if they hadn’t driven so fast.
• If I had got the job, I would have had to relocate to Canada.
• Steven would have been devastated if he hadn’t been invited to the party.

Each day this week I will focus on a different conditional, explain how it is used and give you plenty of examples. Make sure that you follow our *TT exercises and practise how different conditionals are used in everyday situations.

Check my other articles here: All English Time Ask Elo – Learning Articles

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Elo Kasia Community Mentor for ” English Grammar and Speaking Academy“.

Director at Eloquent Learning Online, educational institution based in the UK. www.eloquentlearning.com. Grammar Rules

Conditionals in English Grammar

Conditionals in English Grammar

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