Introduction
Conditional sentences are natural language sentences that express that one thing is contingent on something else, e.g. "If it rains, the picnic will be cancelled." They are so called because the impact of the main clause of the sentence is conditional on the dependent clause.
- There are four types of conditional sentences.
- It’s important to use the correct structure for each of these different types, because they express varying meanings.
- Pay attention to verb tense when using different conditional modes.
- Use a comma after the if-clause when the if-clause precedes the main clause.
Process
Conditional sentences are statements discussing known factors or hypothetical situations and their consequences. We use them to communicate that something is true or happens only if something else is true or happens—that is, only under a certain condition. Complete conditional sentences contain a conditional clause (often referred to as the if-clause) and the consequence. Consider the following sentences:
Example:If a certain condition is true, then a particular result happens.
Example:I would travel around the world if I won the lottery.
Exampl:When water reaches 100 degrees, it boils.
Evaluation
https://youtu.be/4H3-2smRJJY?si=Fz2oKC4ljALVUFFP
What are the different types of conditional sentences?
There are four different types of conditional sentences in English. Each expresses a different degree of probability that a situation will occur or would have occurred under certain circumstances.
1 Zero conditional sentences
2 First conditional sentences
3 Second conditional sentences
4 Third conditional sentences
Let’s look at each of these types of conditional sentences in more detail.
How to use 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:
How to use 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:
If you rest, you will feel better.
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 the simple future tense in the main clause—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.
How to use 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:
If I inherited a billion dollars, I would travel to the moon.
If I owned a zoo, I might let people interact with the animals more.
Notice that the correct way to structure second conditional sentences is to use the simple past tense in the if-clause and a modal auxiliary verb (e.g., could, should, would, might) in the main clause (the one that expresses the unrealistic or unlikely outcome).
How to use 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:
If you had told me you needed a ride, I would have left earlier.
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. The speaker in the second sentence was capable of cleaning the house but did not.
Conclusion
Home Task
Question:Fill in the blanks: A conditional sentence is one in which one statement is _________ upon another statement.
Question:What are the three components of conditional sentences?
Question:Which type of conditional sentence is most frequently used in making 'promises, predictions, likely outcomes, and threats'?
Question:In this sentence: If you want to go out tonight, you must clean your room.
Question:Which is the conditional clause and which is the main clause?