If Clauses Conditional Clauses

A sentence structure that has an economy of meaning.

Frequently used in science.
Expresses the degree of probability that something will happen.
Contains two sentences:
If clause expressing condition
The main clause expressing possible result.

There are three basic types: first, second, third.

There is also Zero Conditional, a subtype of the First Type.
There are also mixed types.

ZERO CONDITIONAL

If you heat water up to 100 degrees C, it boils.

If + Present Simple + Present Simple.
The meaning - If the condition is fulfilled, the probability that the
outcome will happen is 100%.
- used for scientific, natural facts.
(There is no chance that if the condition is fulfilled something else
other than stated happens.)

FIRST CONDITIONAL

If you manage to complete the experiment, you will get the

better mark.
If + Present Simple + Future Simple
The meaning If the condition is fulfilled, the probability
that the outcome will happen is highly probable, about
90%.
(If the condition is fulfilled, the predicted result will surely happen.)

SECOND CONDITIONAL

If the scientists could see an atom, they would know more

about it.
If + Past Simple + would
The meaning this is a present situation, and in the
present the situation is completely impossible. Yet, the
future is open.
(The scientists cannot see an atom now, maybe in the future they will.)

Third Conditional
If the scientists had known about this solution earlier, they
would have solved the problem by now.
If + Past Perfect + (would + have + Past Participle)
The meaning - this is a past situation, so the entire
situation is definitely impossible. This is a kind of guessing
what would be if the past was different.
(The scientists did not know, and nothing can be changed.)