Afonso José Macuacaua

Dinalda Manuel Nhaule

Dorca Safira Joaquim Bila

Flora Dinaria Joao Macie

Kim Pinto Mucavele

Melta Faúsia Gabriel Manjate

Sintía Bento Mondlane

Zulmira Gaspar Cossa

Degree in Public and Municipal Management

First, Second and Zero Conditionals

Save University

Chongoene

March, 2024
 Afonso José Macuacaua

Dinalda Manuel Nhaule

Dorca Safira Joaquim Bila

Flora Dinaria Joao Macie

Kim Pinto Mucavele

Melta Faúsia Gabriel Manjate

Sintía Bento Mondlane

Zulmira Gaspar Cossa

Degree in Public and Municipal Management

First, Second and Zero Conditionals

Paper to be presented at the Faculty of Economics and

Administration, in the course of Public and Municipal
Management for the purpose of evaluation in the subject
of Technical English, under the guidance of Dr. Afonso
Jamal.

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Chongoene

March, 2024
ii
Index

1. Introduction.......................................................................................................................4

2. What is a conditional Sentence?......................................................................................5

2.1. Zero Conditional........................................................................................................5

2.2. First Conditional........................................................................................................5

2.3. Second Conditional....................................................................................................6

2.4. Third Conditional.......................................................................................................7

2.5. Mixed Conditionals....................................................................................................7

2.6. Additional Notes On Conditionals............................................................................8

3. Conclusion.........................................................................................................................9

3
 1. Introduction

Conditional sentences are a fundamental aspect of grammar that allow us to express various
degrees of possibility and hypothetical situations. These sentences consist of two main parts:
the "if" clause, which presents the condition, and the main clause, which presents the result or
consequence of that condition. There are several types of conditional sentences, each serving
a different purpose and expressing different levels of certainty. Understanding these types can
greatly enhance our ability to communicate effectively and convey nuanced meanings. The
following work gives a glance at different aspects regarding to the rules of conditional form.

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 2. What is a conditional Sentence?

A conditional sentence is a type of sentence that expresses a condition and its consequences.
It typically consists of two parts: the "if" clause, which presents the condition, and the main
clause, which presents the result or consequence of that condition.

For example, in the sentence "If it rains, we will stay indoors," the "if it rains" part is the
conditional clause, and "we will stay indoors" is the main clause. This type of sentence is used
to talk about hypothetical situations, possibilities, or predictions based on certain conditions
being met. There are several different forms of conditional sentences that allow the writer to
express various meanings using different tenses.

2.1. Zero Conditional

The zero conditional is used to talk about general truths, scientific facts, or situations that are
always true under certain conditions. It is structured with two present simple clauses, one for
the condition and one for the result. Unlike other conditional forms, the zero conditional does
not imply any uncertainty; it states a fact. Here's the general structure:

 If + present simple, present simple.

For example:

 “If you heat water to 100 degrees Celsius, it boils.”

 “If it rains, the ground gets wet.”

 “If it rains, I take an umbrella with me to work.”

 “If I wake up early, I always read in bed.”

In these sentences, the condition is always true if the stated condition is met.

2.2. First Conditional

The first conditional, also known as the present real conditional, is used to talk about future
events that are likely to happen based on a certain condition. It is structured with a present
simple clause for the condition and a future simple clause for the result. Here's the general
structure:

 If + present simple, will + base form of the verb.

For example:

 "If it rains, I will stay at home."

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  "If you study hard, you will pass the exam."

 "If it rains, I will stay at home."

 "If you study hard, you will pass the exam."

In these sentences, the condition is likely to happen, and the result is what will happen as a
consequence of that condition. The first conditional is used to talk about realistic or possible
future situations.

Note: The condition and the result are not taking place in the past, but the past tense is used to
indicate the unreal nature of the situation.

2.3. Second Conditional

The second conditional, also known as the present unreal conditional, is used to talk about
hypothetical or unlikely situations in the present or future and their possible outcomes. It is
structured with a simple past clause for the condition and a conditional clause with "would"
for the result.

Here's the general structure:

 If + simple past, would + base form of the verb.

 If + simple past, modal + base verb

For example:

 "If I won the lottery, I would buy a big house."

 "If she were here, she would help us."

 “If I had a million dollars, I would buy a large vacation home.”

 “If I were you, I wouldn’t wait to study for the test.”

In these sentences, the condition is unlikely or imaginary (the speaker didn't win the lottery,
and she is not here), and the result is what the speaker would do or what would happen if the
condition were true. The second conditional is often used to express wishes, dreams, or
unlikely situations.

Note: The condition and the result are not taking place in the past, but the past tense is used to
indicate the unreal nature of the situation.

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 2.4. Third Conditional

The third conditional is used to talk about unreal situations in the past and their imagined
outcomes. It is often used to express regrets or to speculate about how things might have been
different if circumstances had been different.

The structure of the third conditional is:

 If + past perfect, would have + past participle.

For example:

 "If I had known you were coming, I would have baked a cake."

 "If she had studied harder, she would have passed the exam."

 “If it had rained last week, the plants would not have died.”

 “If I had finished college, I would have become a doctor.”

In these sentences, the condition (knowing in the first example and studying harder in the
second example) is in the past and is contrary to what actually happened. The result (baking a
cake and passing the exam) is also in the past and is the imagined outcome of the unreal
condition.

2.5. Mixed Conditionals

Mixed conditionals combine the second and third conditionals to present both an unreal
condition either in the past or the present and an unreal result either in the past or the present.
The first form presents an unreal condition in the past that changes an unreal outcome in the
present (the past changes the present).

Form 1: If + past perfect, modal + base

Example:

 “If I had finished college, I would be a doctor now.”

 “If it had rained last week, the plants would be alive now.”

The second form presents an unreal condition in the present that changes an unreal outcome in
the past (the present changes the past).

Form 2: If + simple past, would/could + present perfect

Example:

 “If I spoke louder, you would have heard me before.”

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 “If you were nicer, you could have had more friends when you were younger.”

2.6. Additional Notes On Conditionals

 Conditionals can be categorized as real and unreal. You can think of this as
meaning possible or impossible. Zero and first conditionals are possible as they
deal with things that are generally true or that could be true in the future.

 Second, third, and mixed conditionals are impossible because they are either
hypothetical or concerned with events in the past that we cannot change.

 Real Conditionals: Zero and First conditionals

 Unreal Conditionals: Second, Third, and Mixed.

 In the second conditional, the simple past is used in the condition clause. If the be
verb is being used, it is typical to use were in more formal contexts. If you’re
speaking informally though, was is more usual.

 Formal: If I were you, I would drink more water.

 Informal: If I was you, I wouldn’t stay out so late.

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 3. Conclusion

In conclusion, conditional sentences play a crucial role in our everyday communication by

allowing us to express possibilities, hypothetical situations, and consequences based on
certain conditions. Whether we are discussing real, hypothetical, or regretful situations, the
different types of conditional sentences provide us with the tools to express these ideas
accurately and effectively. By mastering the use of conditional sentences, we can enhance our
language skills and communicate with greater clarity and precision.

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 4. Bibliographical References

The Farlex grammar book: English grammar rules (Vol. 1). (2016). Farlex International.

Wallwork, A. (2013). English For Academic Research: Grammar, Usage and Style. Springer.

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