Mata Kuliah : Intermediate English for Nursing

Tingkat/Semester : III/VI
Lesson/Meeting : T12, T13, T14/5
Topic : Conditional sentence
Type 0
Type 1
Type 2
Type 3

CONDITIONAL SENTENCE

 A conditional sentence is a sentence that expresses a condition. A condition is

something that can only happen IF something else occurs.
 A conditional sentence is a sentence that gives a condition (e.g., If it snows) and the
outcome of the condition occurring (e.g., the game will be cancelled).
 A conditional sentence contains an independent clause and a dependent clause that
almost always begins with “if.” A conditional sentence is only a conditional sentence
if it has both of these parts.

Some conditional clauses might begin with “when.

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.

 Zero Conditional Sentences

 First Conditional Sentences
 Second Conditional Sentences
 Third Conditional Sentences

ZERO CONDITIONAL

A zero-conditional sentence expresses a general fact (i.e., a situation where one thing always
causes another).

If clause Main clause

If + simple present simple present
If this thing happens that thing happens.
If you heat ice it melts.
If it rains the grass gets wet.

Structure: With a zero-conditional sentence, the simple present tense is used in both clauses.
Also, the words if and when are interchangeable.

 If I make money, I'm happy. When I lose money, I'm happy. (Gambling magnate Lui
Che Woo)
 If we burn paper, it becomes ash.
 I feel sick if I eat too much.
 If you don’t brush your teeth, you get cavities.
  When people smoke cigarettes, their health suffers.

(With a zero-conditional sentence, the message is expressed as a fact. That doesn't mean it's
true of course.)

FIRST CONDITIONAL

The type 1 conditional is used to refer to the present or future where the situation is real.
The type 1 conditional refers to a possible condition and its probable result. In these
sentences the if clause is in the simple present, and the main clause is in the simple future.

If clause Main clause

If + simple present simple future
If this thing happens that thing will happen.
If you don't hurry you will miss the train.
If it rains today you will get wet.

Structure: With a first-conditional sentence, the simple present tense is used in the if-clause,
and the simple future tense used in the main clause.
  f I meet him, I will introduce myself.
 I will cook dinner tonight if you clean the house.
 If you rest, you will feel better.
 If you set your mind to a goal, you will eventually achieve it.
 If it rains, I will stay at home.
 If he gives her chocolate, she will be happy.
 If it doesn’t rain, we will go to the library.

SECOND CONDITIONAL

The type 2 conditional is used to refer to a time that is now or any time, and a situation that
is unreal. These sentences are not based on fact. The type 2 conditional is used to refer to a
hypothetical condition and its probable result. In type 2 conditional sentences, the if clause
uses the simple past, and the main clause uses the present conditional.

If clause Main clause

If + simple past present conditional or present continuous conditional
that thing would happen. (but I'm not sure this thing will happen)
If this thing happened OR
that thing would be happening.
If you went to bed earlier you would not be so tired.
If it rained you would get wet.
If I spoke Italian I would be working in Italy.
 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.
 If I were you, I would continue my study.
 If I had time, I would go with you.
 If she met her mother, she would be very happy.
 If it rained tomorrow, I would sleep all day.
 If I were you, I’d tell him the truth.
THIRD CONDITIONAL

he type 3 conditional is used to refer to a time that is in the past, and a situation that is
contrary to reality. The facts they are based on are the opposite of what is expressed. The
type 3 conditional is used to refer to an unreal past condition and its probable past result. In
type 3 conditional sentences, the if clause uses the past perfect, and the main clause uses the
perfect conditional.

If clause Main clause

If + past perfect perfect conditional or perfect continuous conditional
that thing would have happened. (but neither of those things
If this thing had happened really happened) OR
that thing would have been happening.
If you had studied harder you would have passed the exam.
If it had rained you would have gotten wet.
If I had accepted that
I would have been working in Milan.
promotion

 If you had remembered to invite me, I would have attended your party.
 We might have gone to South America if she had not been pregnant.
 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.
 If she hadn’t taken the course, she wouldn’t have gotten the scholarship.
 If I had locked the car, the thief wouldn’t have stolen my car.
 Had I locked the car, the thief wouldn’t have stolen my car.
GOODLUCK