Conditional

Sentences

ENGLISH

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Conditional Sentences
If I study, I will
pass!

So, to put it simply, Conditional sentences are the ‘Possibility’ or ‘Impossibility’ of a

happening.

The possibility or impossibility depends on the condition fulfilled or not. Conditional

sentences depends on what the speaker presents as ‘Imagination’, ‘Contrary to the
fact’, ‘Hypothetical’.

Conditional sentences are the sentences that express.

Examples:
1) If I work hard, I will succeed.

2) When the rain stops, we do our routine.

3) If I were the prime minister of the country, I would make conditions better.

4) If the earth rotates, then the sun rises and sets.

Moreover, Conditional sentences come in the examination in the type of questions such
as, ‘Error spotting’, ‘Fill in the blanks’, ‘Sentence improvement’.
To know, the correct answer to these type of questions, it become mandatory for us to
know the concept, rules and basic usage of Conditional sentences.
So, let’s start with them!

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Types of Conditional expressions /

Sentences

Conditional Sentences

Imaginative Contrary to the fact Hypothetical Factual

Imaginative
These type of conditionals deal with the situation imagined to be. The time and
opportunity to perform an action has passed and the subject wishes and imagines the
action to be done in given time only. This type is also known as ‘Predictive
conditional’.

Example:
1) If I studied every day, I would pass with filling colors.
2) If I listen to my parents when I was eight, I would be successful as a human.

Contrary to the fact

It is also known as ‘Counterfactual’. These type of conditionals deal with the situations
against the reality. The subject imagines or wishes something about that could
have been possible within time limits but now it cannot be.

Example:
1) If Sam arrived, He would brighten things up!
2) If I went on vacations, I would explore many places.

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Hypothetical
These type of conditionals, the subjects imagines to be but can never be a possibility.

Example:
1) If I were Mahatma Gandhi, I would have governed the administration well.
2) If I were my friend, I would have always been loyal.

Factual
These type of conditionals deal with the generic statements that happen or bound to
happen as a routine. These can also be a ‘Universal truths’.

Example:
1) If the earth rotates, then the hours of the day change.
2) If the earth revolves, then the seasons change.
3) If the ice melts, then it changes into the liquid state.

Parts of Conditional Sentences

Conditional by the name itself means clauses which have conditions given in them.
It consist of two clauses:
1) Cause (if clause)
2) Effect (main clause)

Example: If the sun shines, then we will go for shopping.

In this example, If the sun shine is: if clause
We will go for shopping is: main clause

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Conditions in Conditional Sentences

There are 4 basic types of conditionals: zero, first, second, and third.

It’s also possible to mix them up and use the first part of a sentence as one type of
conditional and the second part as another. Those sentences would be called “mixed
conditionals.”

The Zero Conditional

The zero conditional expresses something that is considered a universal truth or when
one action always follows another.

Rule #1:
Condition: if (or when) + present tense | if (or when) + past tense

Result: present tense | past tense

Example:

 When I did my homework, my teacher was happy.*

 If the temperature reaches zero degrees Celsius, water freezes.

 My mom comforted me when I got scared.*

 If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.

As you might have noticed, the order of clauses is not fixed in the conditional. However,
if you move “if” or “when” to the middle of the sentence, you must remove the
comma. This rule applies to all 4 types.

Points to Remember
The zero conditional is the only type of conditional in which “when” can replace “if.”

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The First Conditional

The first conditional expresses a future scenario that might occur. Assuming that the
condition is fulfilled, the outcome is likely to happen.

Rule #1:
Condition: if + present tense

Result: will (may/might/can/could/should) + infinitive

Example:

 If I get paid today, I will go shopping. (“Will” implies near-certainty about the
shopping trip in case the condition is fulfilled)

 We could go to Paris if we save enough money. (“Could” indicates that the

result is possible.)

 If she knows the truth, she might not be happy. (“Might” implies a degree of
uncertainty about her happiness if the condition is fulfilled.)

 They can do it if they try. (“Can” indicates that the result is possible.)

 If I see the man, I may say something to him. (“May” implies a degree of
uncertainty about saying something to him if the condition is fulfilled.)

 He should get a dog if he is lonely. (“Should” indicates that the speaker is

giving their opinion.)

This type refers to general truths, while the first conditional refers to specific situations.
Though “will” is most commonly used in the first conditional, you can also use “may,”
“might,” “can,” “could,” or “should.” However, as outlined above, each of these modal
verbs can change the meaning of the sentence.

The Second Conditional

The second conditional can refer to future hypotheticals that are unlikely to be true or
present situations that are untrue or impossible.

Rule #1:
Condition: if + past subjunctive | *if + simple past

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Result: would/might/could + infinitive (simple or continuous)

Example:

 If I were rich, I would travel the world.

 If she were to try harder, she might get better grades.

 They might be able to see it if they were more observant.

 If I met the President, I would be too nervous about speaking.

 If he played sports, he might be in better shape.

 He could get the promotion if he knew the right people.

Though the second resembles the first conditional in meaning, their structures are
distinct. Moreover, the first conditional usually refers to future events that are likely to
happen, while the second relates to events that are unlikely to happen (or current
impossibilities).

The Third Conditional

The third conditional expresses an unreal situation in the past, with reference to the
hypothetical outcome that would also result in the past.

Rule #1:
Condition: if + past perfect subjunctive | *if + past perfect

Result: would (could/might) + perfect infinitive

Example:

 If I had known how you were going to react, I would have kept my mouth shut.

 If you had seen the movie, we could have talked about the ending.

We might have crossed paths if I had left the house on time.

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Practice Questions
Q. Find out which part has an error and mark it as your answer. If there is no
error, mark ‘No error’ as your answer.
(A)Iran has recently threatened/ (B)that if the Europeans would have taken/(C) the
case to UN, it will withdraw from the nuclear treaty.

A.  If two /events are in future back to back, and the second event is dependent on
the first event, then the first event is in Simple Present Tense and second work is
in Simple Future Tense.

 Here, Iran’s withdrawal from the nuclear treaty is said to an after effect or
dependent on the event of Europeans’ approaching the UN. Thus, (B) must be
replaced with ‘that if Europeans take’

Q. Find out which part has an error and mark it as your answer. If there is no
error, mark ‘No error’ as your answer.
(A)In Trump’s impeachment case, if the majority/ (B)of senators agree to let both
sides/ (C)call their witnesses, Chief Justice Roberts issues a subpoena for them

A.  If two /events are in future back to back, and the second event is dependent
on the first event, then the first event is in Simple Present Tense and
second work is in Simple Future Tense.

 Subpoenas will be issued only if the senators’ votes are in the majority. The
second event is dependent on first. Thus, (C) must be replaced with ‘Chief Justice
Roberts will issue a subpoena for them.’
Correct sentence: In Trump’s impeachment case, if the majority of senators agree
to let both sides call their witnesses, Chief Justice Roberts will issue a subpoena for
them.

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Q. Find out which part has an error and mark it as your answer. If there is no
error, mark ‘No error’ as your answer.
If you keep your eyes and (A)/ ears open, you might find (B)/ plenty of things to write
about (C)/ in the instant Essay writing competition. (D)/ No error (E)

A.  The correct sentence is 'If you keep your eyes and ears open, you will find plenty
of things to write about in the instant Essay writing competition'.

 This is a conditional sentence and in this type of sentence one sentence

depends upon others because of cause and effect. This type of sentence follows
a special structure i.e. 'Conditional word + subject + V1/V5 + object, subject +
will + V1 + object’.

 Therefore, replace 'might with 'will' to satisfy the structure.

Q. Find out which part has an error and mark it as your answer. If there is no
error, mark ‘No error’ as your answer.
If sleep-inducing capsules will help (A) me fall asleep then I will take (B)/ a couple of
capsules tonight (C)/ as I am suffering from Insomnia. (D)/ No error (E)

A.  The above sentence is a conditional sentence. Generally, the simple future should
be used only in the main clause but one exception is when the action in the if-
clause will take place after the action in the main clause. So, the sentence is
correctly structured and has no error.

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