Conditional Sentences in English Grammar

Conditional Sentences

Conditional sentences describe hypothetical or uncertain situations and their consequences.

Zero Conditional

• Used to talk about universal truths and scientific facts
• If-clause in present simple, main clause in present simple
• Form: If + present simple, present simple
• Example: If you heat ice, it melts.

First Conditional

• Used to talk about future events that are likely to happen
• If-clause in present simple, main clause in future simple
• Form: If + present simple, will + infinitive
• Example: If it rains, I will take an umbrella.

Second Conditional

• Used to talk about unlikely or hypothetical situations in the present
• If-clause in past simple, main clause in would + infinitive
• Form: If + past simple, would + infinitive
• Example: If I won the lottery, I would buy a house.

Third Conditional

• Used to talk about past hypothetical situations and their consequences
• If-clause in past perfect, main clause in would have + past participle
• Form: If + past perfect, would have + past participle
• Example: If I had studied harder, I would have passed the exam.

Mixed Conditional

• Used to talk about hypothetical past situations and their consequences in the present
• If-clause in past simple, main clause in would have + past participle
• Form: If + past simple, would have + past participle
• Example: If I had taken that job, I would be rich now.

Note: Mixed conditional sentences can be confusing, as they mix the past simple with the conditional perfect. However, they are commonly used in spoken English.

Conditional Sentences

• Describe hypothetical or uncertain situations and their consequences

Zero Conditional

• Used for universal truths and scientific facts
• If-clause: present simple
• Main clause: present simple
• Form: If + present simple, present simple
• Example: If you heat ice, it melts.

First Conditional

• Used for future events that are likely to happen
• If-clause: present simple
• Main clause: future simple
• Form: If + present simple, will + infinitive
• Example: If it rains, I will take an umbrella.

Second Conditional

• Used for unlikely or hypothetical situations in the present
• If-clause: past simple
• Main clause: would + infinitive
• Form: If + past simple, would + infinitive
• Example: If I won the lottery, I would buy a house.

Third Conditional

• Used for past hypothetical situations and their consequences
• If-clause: past perfect
• Main clause: would have + past participle
• Form: If + past perfect, would have + past participle
• Example: If I had studied harder, I would have passed the exam.

Mixed Conditional

• Used for hypothetical past situations and their consequences in the present
• If-clause: past simple
• Main clause: would have + past participle
• Form: If + past simple, would have + past participle
• Example: If I had taken that job, I would be rich now.
• Note: Mixed conditional sentences combine past simple with conditional perfect, commonly used in spoken English.

Conjunctions

• A conjunction is a word that connects words, phrases, or clauses in a sentence.
• Conjunctions help to link ideas, show relationships, and provide cohesion in writing and speech.

Coordinate Conjunctions

• Coordinate conjunctions connect words, phrases, or clauses of equal importance.
• Examples of coordinate conjunctions include:
  • And
  • But
  • Or
  • So
  • Yet
• Examples of sentences using coordinate conjunctions:
  • I like reading books and watching movies.
  • I wanted to go to the beach, but it was raining.
  • Do you want to go to the movies or stay home?

Conjunctions Vs. Prepositions

• Conjunctions connect words or clauses, while prepositions show relationships between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence.
• Conjunctions join equal elements, while prepositions show location, direction, or other relationships.

Subordinate Conjunctions

• Subordinate conjunctions introduce dependent clauses and connect them to independent clauses.
• Examples of subordinate conjunctions include:
  • Because
  • Since
  • After
  • Although
  • Unless
• Examples of sentences using subordinate conjunctions:
  • I'm tired because I didn't sleep well.
  • I've been busy since morning.
  • I'll go to the gym after I finish work.
  • Although I'm tired, I need to finish this project.

Correlative Conjunctions

• Correlative conjunctions are used in pairs to connect words or phrases of equal importance.
• Examples of correlative conjunctions include:
  • Both...and
  • Either...or
  • Not only...but also
  • Whether...or
• Examples of sentences using correlative conjunctions:
  • I like both coffee and tea.
  • Do you want to eat either pizza or sushi?
  • I not only like reading books but also watching movies.
  • Do you want to go to the beach or the park?