2.

1 Conditional Sentences
Conditional sentences are statements discussing known factors or
hypothetical situations and their consequences. Complete conditional sentences
contain a conditional clause (often referred to as the if-clause) and the
consequence. Consider the following sentences:
a. If a certain condition is true, then a particular result happens.
b. I would travel around the world if I won the lottery.
c. When water reaches 100 degrees, it boils.

Rules You Need to Know

a. There are four types of conditional sentences.

b. It’s important to use the correct structure for each of these different
conditional sentences because they express varying meanings.

c. Pay attention to verb tense when using different conditional modes.

d. Use a comma after the if-clause when the if-clause precedes the main
clause.

Conditional Usage If clause Main clause verb

sentence verb tense tense
type

Zero General truths Simple Simple present

present

Type 1 A possible condition Simple Simple future

and its probable present
result

Type 2 A hypothetical Simple past Present conditional or

condition and its Present continuous
 Conditional Usage If clause Main clause verb
sentence verb tense tense
type

probable result conditional

Type 3 An unreal past Past perfect Perfect conditional

condition and its
probable result in the
past

Mixed type An unreal past Past perfect Present contditional

condition and its
probable result in the
present

2.1.1 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:
a. If you don’t brush your teeth, you get cavities.
b. When people smoke cigarettes, their health suffers.

There are a couple of things to take note of in the above sentences in

which the zero conditional is used. First, when using the zero conditional, the
correct tense to use in both clauses is the simple present tense. A common mistake
is to use the simple future tense.
a. When people smoke cigarettes, their health will suffer .
Secondly, notice that the words if and when can be used interchangeably in
these zero conditional sentences. This is because the outcome will always be the
same, so it doesn’t matter “if” or “when” it happens.
 If clause Main clause

If + simple present simple present

If this thing happens that thing happens.

If you heat ice it melts.

If it rains the grass gets wet.

2.1.2 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:
a. If you rest, you will feel better.
b. 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 simple future
tense in the main clause—that is, 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:
a. If you will rest , you will feel better.
b. If you rest , you will feel better.
Explanation: Use the simple present tense in the if-clause.

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

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

Explanation: Use the zero conditional (i.e., simple present + simple present) only
when a certain result is guaranteed. If the result is likely, use the first conditional
(i.e., simple present + simple future).

If clause Main clause

If + simple present simple future

If this thing happens that thing will happen.

If you don't hurry you will miss the train.

If it rains today you will get wet.

2.1.3 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:
a. If I inherited a billion dollars, I would travel to the moon.
b. If I owned a zoo, I might let people interact with the animals more.

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

the simple past tense in the if-clause and an auxiliary modal 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:
a. If I inherit a billion dollars, I would travel to the moon.
b. 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.
 a. If I owned a zoo, I will let people interact with the animals more.

b. 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 mood to express the unlikelihood that the result will actually
happen.

If clause Main clause

If + simple past present conditional or present continuous

conditional

If this thing happened that thing would happen. (but I'm not sure this
thing will happen) OR
that thing would be happening.

If you went to bed earlier you would not be so tired.

If it rained you would get wet.

If I spoke Italian I would be working in Italy.

2.1.4 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:
a. If you had told me you needed a ride, I would have left earlier.
b. 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. Along these same lines, the speaker in the second
sentence was capable of cleaning the house, but did not. These are all conditions
that were likely, but regrettably 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, shoud,
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:
a. If you would have told me you needed a ride, I would have left earlier.

b. 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.

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

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

Explanation: The third conditional mood expresses a situation that could have
only happened in the past if a certain condition had been met. That’s why we use
the modal auxiliary verb + have + the past participle.

If clause Main clause

If + past perfect perfect conditional or perfect

continuous conditional

If this thing had happened that thing would have happened. (but
neither of those things really happened)
OR
that thing would have been happening.

If you had studied harder you would have passed the exam.
 If clause Main clause

If it had rained you would have gotten wet.

If I had accepted that promotion I would have been working in Milan.

2.1.5 Mixed Type Conditional

The mixed type conditional is used to refer to a time that is in the past, and
a situation that is ongoing into the present. The facts they are based on are the
opposite of what is expressed. The mixed type conditional is used to refer to an
unreal past condition and its probable result in the present. In mixed type
conditional sentences, the if clause uses the past perfect, and the main clause uses
the present conditional.

If clause Main clause

If + past perfect or simple past present conditional or perfect

conditional

If this thing had happened that thing would happen. (but this thing
didn't happen so that thing isn't
happening)

If I had worked harder at school I would have a better job now.

If we had looked at the map we wouldn't be lost.

If you weren't afraid of spiders you would have picked it up and put it
If clause Main clause

outside.