Conditional Sentences

Conditional Sentences/Explanation/Structure/Examples...

General Structure for all Conditional Sentences:

• (If,  clause )                         +      (main clause)
• (If, dependent clause)        +      ( Independent clause) 
•       ( If, condition)                +          (Result)

Zero Conditional :

Zero conditional sentences express general truths or facts that are always true no matter what. They deal with scientific laws, natural phenomena, and habitual actions.

Structure:

• (If   clause )                         +      (main clause)
• (If, dependent clause)        +      ( Independent clause) 
•       ( If, condition)                +          (Result)
• (If+ simple present)           + (simple present)

Key points:

• Both the "if" clause and the main clause use the present simple tense.
• You can replace "if" with "when" without changing the meaning.

Uses:

• Real world
• General truth
• Scientific fact
• Habit

Examples:

• If the sun heats water, it boils. (Scientific fact)
• When you drop an apple, it falls down. (Natural phenomenon)
• Plants die if they don't get enough water. (General truth)
• I go to bed early if I'm tired. (Habitual action)
• My dog barks whenever someone knocks on the door. (Habitual action)

Sentence Examples:

• If you mix red and yellow, you get orange. (Scientific fact)
• The sun rises in the east and sets in the west. (Natural phenomenon)
• When you eat too much, you feel full. (General truth)
• I brush my teeth every morning if I remember. (Habitual action)
• My cat purrs when she's happy. (Habitual action)

First conditional sentences

Function:

First conditional sentences are exciting tools for expressing possibilities, potential Prediction, promises, possibilities, causes, and consequences.

What are the first conditional sentences?

• They talk about real or likely situations in the future. 
• These sentences express possible future actions or events that are likely to happen if a certain condition is met.
• They use the present simple tense in the "if" clause and "will" + verb in the main clause.
• Structure:

•         (If   clause )                       +      (main clause)
• (If + present simple)        +      ( future simple.)
• ( If,  dependent clause)         +      ( Independent clause) 
•          (If, condition)               +          (Result)

• Simple future tense in the independent clause which expresses the outcome that is most likely to happen in the future as a result of the other action expressed in the  “if clause”.
• For example in the sentence "if it rains, the picnic will be cancelled", the dependent clause is "if it rains," which empresses the condition. The independent clause is "the picnic will be cancelled" ,which states the result or effect of the condition.

Examples:

• If we study hard, we will get good grades on the test.
• It will rain if the clouds look dark.
• I will eat pizza if you order it for dinner.
• She will be happy if you give her a gift.
• We will miss the train if we don't hurry.
• If it rains, we will stay home.
• If I study hard, I will pass the test.
•  We won't go out if you're not feeling well.
• They will be happy if they get the job.
• What will you do if you win the lottery?
• If you study hard, you will do well in the test.
• We will go to the beach if the weather is nice.
• I will help you if you ask me nicely.
• She will be happy if you give her a present.
• The train will be late if it rains.

Key points:

• "Will" expresses a strong possibility or certainty.
• You can change the word order: (Subject) will (+ verb) if + present simple.
• You can use other modal verbs like "can" or "may" in the main clause depending on the meaning.

• Remember:

  • For the first conditional sentences; Focus on real or likely situations, not impossible ones.

Activities for practice:

• Complete the first conditional sentences. Provide the first part ("If...") and let students come up with the second part.
• Write a future prediction scenario. Use first conditionals to describe what might happen based on different choices.
• Play "If, then..." games. Take turns creating the first conditional sentences and see who can come up with the most creative ones.
• Rewrite real-life situations. Turn news headlines or personal events into first conditional sentences.

Second Conditional Sentences:

Function:

• Talk about hypothetical situation in the present or future that are unlikely or impossible.
• Expresses imaginary result of these situations.

Structure:

• (If   clause )                             +      (main clause)
• (If + past simple tense) +   ( would/could+ base form of the verb)
• ( If,  dependent clause)         +      ( Independent clause) 
•       ( If, condition)                   +          (Result)

       If + past simple tense         ,      (would/could + base form of verb)

Examples:

•  If I won the lottery (unlikely), I would buy a mansion (imaginary result).
• If I knew French, I would move to Paris. (I don't know French currently)
• We would go hiking this weekend if the weather were nicer. (The weather might not be nice)
• If they invited me, I would definitely go to the party. (They probably won't invite me).
• If I had more money, I would travel the world.
• If it rained all year round, we would never leave the house.
• If I were you, I wouldn't quit my job. (notice "were" for "you" in a more formal tone).

Third Conditional Sentences:

Function:

Talks about hypothetical situations in the past that did not happen.

Expresses imaginary results of these situations that could have been different if the past condition had been true (Often used with a sense of regret).

Structure:

• (If   clause )                            +      (main clause)

• If + past perfect tense    +    would have + past participle

• ( If,  dependent clause)        +      ( Independent clause) 
•          ( If, condition)               +          (Result)

        If + past perfect tense, would have + past participle

Third Conditional Sentences (Hypothetical Past):

• If I had gotten the job, I would have moved to a new city. (I didn't get the job)
• If she hadn't been mad, I would have talked to her. (She was mad and I didn't talk)
• If we hadn't wasted so much time, we could have finished the project on time (We wasted time and didn't finish on time).
• I would have gotten the job if I had applied sooner. (I didn't apply and didn't get the job)
• She wouldn't have been mad if you hadn't forgotten her birthday. (You forgot and she got mad)
• We could have finished the project on time if we hadn't wasted so much time (We wasted time and didn't finish on time).

Key Difference:

• The second conditional deals with the present or future, while the third conditional deals with the past.
• The second conditional talks about unlikely or impossible situations, while the third conditional talks about situations that didn't happen but could have, often with a sense of regret.

Note; The conditional sentences are also included in 9th, and 10th classes/grades Board Syllabus.