- 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.
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:
If a certain condition is true, then a particular result happens.
I would travel around the world if I won the lottery.
When water reaches 100 degrees, it boils.
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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:
If you don’t brush your teeth, you get cavities.
When people smoke cigarettes, their health suffers.
There are a couple of things to take note of in the above sentences using the zero conditional. First, when using the zero conditional, the correct tense in both clauses is the simple present tense. A common mistake is to use the simple future tense.
When people smoke cigarettes, their health will suffer.
Second, notice that the words if and when can be used interchangeably in these zero conditional sentences. This is because the outcome will be the same any time the condition is in place; there’s no difference in meaning for if and when to communicate.
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. Examine some of the common mistakes people make using the first conditional structure:
If you will rest, you will feel better.
If you rest, you will feel better.
Explanation: Use the simple present tense in the if-clause.
If you set your mind to a goal, you eventually achieve it.
If you set your mind to a goal, you’ll eventually achieve it.
Explanation: Use the zero conditional (simple present + simple present) only when a certain result is guaranteed. If the result is likely, use the first conditional (simple present + simple 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). The following sentences illustrate a couple of the common mistakes people make when using the second conditional:
If I inherit a billion dollars, I would travel to the moon.
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.
If I owned a zoo, I will let people interact with the animals more.
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 to express the unlikelihood that the result will actually happen.
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. These are both conditions that were likely but (regrettably, in these cases) 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, should, 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:
If you would have told me you needed a ride, I would have left earlier.
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.
If I had cleaned the house, I could go to the movies.
If I had cleaned the house, I could have gone to the movies.
Explanation: The third conditional expresses a situation that could have happened in the past only if a certain condition had been met. That’s why we use the modal auxiliary verb + have + the past participle.
Exceptions and special cases when using conditional sentences
As with most topics in the English language, conditional sentences often present special cases in which unique rules must be applied.
Use of the simple future in the if-clause
Generally speaking, the simple future should be used only in the main clause. One exception is when the action in the if-clause will take place after the action in the main clause. For example, consider the following sentence:
If aspirin will ease my headache, I will take a couple tonight.
The action in the if-clause is the aspirin easing the headache, which will take place only after the speaker takes them later that night.
Were to in the if-clause
The verb phrase were to is sometimes used in conditional sentences when the likely or unlikely result is particularly awful or unthinkable. In this case, were to is used to place emphasis on this potential outcome. Consider these sentences:
If I were to be sick, I would miss another day of work.
If she were to be late again, she would have to have a conference with the manager.
If the rent were to have been a penny more, they would not have been able to pay it.
Note that the emphatic were to can be used to describe hypothetical scenarios in the present, future, or past.
Punctuating conditional sentences
Despite the complex nature of conditional sentences, punctuating them properly is really simple!
Here’s how it works:
Use a comma after the if-clause when the if-clause precedes the main clause.
If I’d had time, I would have cleaned the house.
If the main clause precedes the if-clause, no punctuation is necessary.
I would have cleaned the house if I’d had time.
FAQs
What are the 4 if conditionals? ›
- Hypothetical situations (unreal or imagined events)
- Things that are likely to happen in the future.
- Things that are unlikely to happen in the future.
- General truths or habits.
- Impossible situations.
| Conditional sentence type | Usage |
|---|---|
| Type 1 | A possible condition and its probable result |
| Type 2 | A hypothetical condition and its probable result |
| Type 3 | An unreal past condition and its probable result in the past |
| Mixed type | An unreal past condition and its probable result in the present |
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.
What is a conditional sentence type 0 1 2 3? ›A conditional clause is a sentence that describes something that happens (Type 0), will happen (Type 1), maybe would happen (Type 2) or maybe would have happened (Type 3) if certain terms (conditionals, limitations) had been met.
What are conditionals examples? ›Form: If + simple present, simple present Example 1: If it rains, I take an umbrella with me to work. Example 2: If I wake up early, I always read in bed. The first conditional uses the present tense in the if clause and the future tense in the result clause.
What is first conditional examples? ›We use the first conditional when we talk about future situations we believe are real or possible. If it doesn't rain tomorrow, we'll go to the beach. Arsenal will be top of the league if they win. When I finish work, I'll call you.
What are the 5 kinds of conditional statements? ›In this article, we will look at the conditionals in English. We will see five conditionals: zero, first, second, third and mixed. A conditional sentence is formed by a main clause (the consequence), a conjunction (if), and a conditional clause (the condition).
Are there 4 types of conditional statements in Python? ›We have different types of conditional statements like if, if-else, elif, nested if, and nested if-else statements which control the execution of our program.
What is an example of a past conditional sentence? ›- If I had owned a car, I would have driven to work. ...
- She would have traveled around the world if she had had more money. ...
- I would have read more as a child if I hadn't watched so much TV. ...
- Mary would have gotten the job and moved to Japan if she had studied Japanese in school instead of French.
The four conditional statements in Java are: if, if-else, else-if ladder, and switch. The 'if-else' statement executes different code based on whether the condition is true or false. The 'switch' statement evaluates an expression and executes the code corresponding to the matching case.
What is 3 conditional sentences? ›
The type 3 conditional refers to an impossible condition in the past and its probable result in the past. These sentences are truly hypothetical and unreal, because it is now too late for the condition or its result to exist. There is always some implication of regret with type 3 conditional sentences.
How do you identify a conditional sentence? ›- If I don't drink tea in the morning, I feel sick. ...
- I will talk to her if I meet her. ...
- I would have helped him if I had been there. ...
- If I were you I would get that car serviced. ...
- I wouldn't be surprised if she got married soon. ...
- If he arrives soon, we will go the movies.
The type 1 conditional refers to a possible condition and its probable result. These sentences are based on facts, and they are used to make statements about the real world, and about particular situations. We often use such sentences to give warnings.
What is conditional 2 and 3 examples? ›For example: "If it rains, you will stay home." The second conditional: "If I were you, I would look for another job. " The third conditional: "If you had studied harder, you would have become an engineer."
What is a Type 2 conditional sentence? ›What is a Type 2 conditional sentence in English? A type 2 conditional sentence, also known as the second conditional sentence, refers to a condition (situation) that is impossible or unlikely to be true (in the present), and its result in the present or near future (very close to the present).
How many conditional statements are there? ›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.
What is a conditional What are the 3 parts of a conditional? ›Conditional Statement If hypothesis, then conclusion. A conditional statement is a logical statement that has two parts, a hypothesis p and a conclusion q. When a conditional statement is written in if-then form, the "if" part contains the hypothesis and the "then" part contains the conclusion.
What is C conditional? ›C has the following conditional statements: Use if to specify a block of code to be executed, if a specified condition is true. Use else to specify a block of code to be executed, if the same condition is false. Use else if to specify a new condition to test, if the first condition is false.
What is an example of a zero conditional sentence? ›If you freeze water, it becomes a solid. Plants die if they don't get enough water. If my husband has a cold, I usually catch it. If public transport is efficient, people stop using their cars.
What is 1st 2nd and 3rd conditional examples? ›| 1. First conditional: | If I have enough money, I will go to Japan. |
|---|---|
| 2. Second conditional: | If I had enough money, I would go to Japan. |
| 3. Third conditional: | If I had had enough money, I would have gone to Japan. |
What is first and second conditional examples? ›
Say yes if you think the sentence is a first conditional, and it's very likely to happen. Say no if it's a second conditional and it's unlikely to happen! If I had enough money, I'd buy a Ferrari. If I get home early, I'll watch a movie.
What is an example of a future conditional? ›The future conditional describes something that might happen in the future with a condition. It often uses "if." Examples: If I go to the park tomorrow, I will bring my dog.
Can you give me 5 an examples of the first conditional? ›If it rains, I won't go to the park. If I study today, I'll go to the party tonight. If I have enough money, I'll buy some new shoes. She'll be late if the train is delayed.
What are the 4 types statements in Python? ›There are mainly four types of statements in Python, print statements, Assignment statements, Conditional statements, Looping statements. The print and assignment statements are commonly used. The result of a print statement is a value.
How do you create a list in Python? ›To create a list in Python, we use square brackets ( [] ). Here's what a list looks like: ListName = [ListItem, ListItem1, ListItem2, ListItem3, ...] Note that lists can have/store different data types.
What does == mean in Python? ›The == operator compares the value or equality of two objects, whereas the Python is operator checks whether two variables point to the same object in memory.
What are the 3 conditional statements in Python? ›Conditional statements (if, else, and elif) are fundamental programming constructs that allow you to control the flow of your program based on conditions that you specify. They provide a way to make decisions in your program and execute different code based on those decisions.
What are the types of conditionals logic? ›So we have the following main kinds of conditionals: logical, definitional, causal, decisional, and material.
How many types of conditional loop are there? ›There are two types of conditional loops, DO WHILE and DO UNTIL. One or more expressions control both types of loops. However, DO WHILE loops test the expression before the loop executes the first time and repeat only when the expression is true.
What is 1 sentence using third conditional? ›Third conditional
We imagine a change in a past situation and the different result of that change. If I had understood the instructions properly, I would have passed the exam. We wouldn't have got lost if my phone hadn't run out of battery.
What are mixed conditionals? ›
Mixed conditionals are sentences that use two different times. Check out the examples: If I had slept earlier, I wouldn't have missed my appointment. Both the 'if clause' and the 'main clause' have the same time: past. But they have different tenses in the past.
What are conditional sentences with examples? ›This form is used to talk about something that is a probable future result of a condition. Form: If + simple present, will + base verb Example 1: If I see you later, I will say hello. Example 2: If I don't see you later, I won't be able to say hello.
What is an example of a Type 3 conditional sentence? ›To make a sentence in the third conditional, we use, If + past perfect, would/wouldn't have + past participle. If you had told me about the meeting, I would have come. If you had told me about the meeting, I wouldn't have missed it.
What is an example of each conditional sentence? ›I will answer if he calls me. If I study really hard, I'll ace this test. If the weather is good, our crops will flourish. You will succeed in college if you're diligent in your studies.
What are conditional statements with examples? ›Example: We have a conditional statement If it is raining, we will not play. Let, A: It is raining and B: we will not play. Then; If A is true, that is, it is raining and B is false, that is, we played, then the statement A implies B is false.