CONDITIONAL SENTENCES
(‘if’ sentences)
BY ATIKA REHAN
LECTURE 1 (2023)
Conditional Sentences
Conditional sentences are statements discussing
known factors or hypothetical situations and their
consequences. Complete conditional sentences
contain a conditional clause (often referred to as
the if-clause) and the consequence(result).
Conditional Sentences
Structure :
A conditional sentence is composed of 2 parts :
If-clause + Main Clause
Example :
If it rains tomorrow, we will not come.
If-clause Main Clause
Conditional Sentences
Types :
There are 4 types of conditional sentences 0,1,2
and 3.They are classified according to their
specific implications.
Each type of conditional sentences uses
different tenses to show the difference in
their implications.
These sentences are in two halves (clauses):
The if part - (if clause)
The other part where you can use words such as
can, will, may, might, could and would -
(main clause)
If you come with me , I will buy an
ice cream
ZERO CONDITIONAL
ZERO CONDITIONAL is a structure used for
talking about general truths -- things which
always happen under certain conditions The
zero conditional is used to talk about things
which are always true -- scientific facts,
general truths, and so on.
N.B: (note that most zero conditional sentences will mean the
same thing if "when" is used instead of "if").
Zero Conditionals
If clause Main clause
If + Present Simple Present Simple
Present Tense Present Tense
If you heat the water It boils
to 100 degrees,
1st CONDITIONAL
1st CONDITIONAL is a structure used for talking
about possibilities in the present or in the
future. The first conditional is used to talk about
things which are possible and probable in the
present or the future --things which may happen.
1st CONDITIONAL
if clause main clause
If + Present Simple Future Simple, can,
may
Present Simple Tense Future Simple Tense
If you study hard, you will pass the
test.
Possible & Probable conditions
IF CLAUSE MAIN CLAUSE
If you ________ (drink) a lot, I ________ (leave) you
If we ________ (buy) tickets, We ___________ (go) to the concert
If he________ (lose) his key, You ________ (lend) him yours
If they ________ (dance) too They ____________ (get) tired
much,
If they ________ (not stop) We ________ (not finish) our lesson
talking,
If you ________ (take) the dog for I ________ (give) you some money
a walk,
2nd CONDITIONAL
2nd CONDITIONAL is a structure used for talking
about unreal situations in the present or in
the future. The second conditional is used to
express an imaginary present or improbable
future situations
(not true or not possible in the present or the
future) -- things which don't or won't happen.
2nd CONDITIONAL
if clause main clause
If + Past Simple would, could, might
+ infinitive
Past simple Tense Would + infinitive
If I won a million I would buy a big
dollars, house.
Possible & Improbable conditions
IF CLAUSE MAIN CLAUSE
If you ________ (drink) a lot, I ________ (leave) you
If we ________ (buy) tickets, We ___________ (go) to the concert
If he________ (lose) his key, You ________ (lend) him yours
If they ________ (dance) too They ____________ (get) tired
much,
If they ________ (not stop) We ________ (not finish) our lesson
talking,
If you ________ (take) the dog for I ________ (give) you some money
a walk,
3rd CONDITIONAL
3rd CONDITIONAL is a structure used for talking
about unreal situations in the past. The third
conditional is used to talk about things which
DID NOT HAPPEN in the past. It can be very
useful, as It could be often used to express
criticism or regret.
3rd CONDITIONAL
if clause main clause
If + Past Perfect would/could/might have
+ Past Participle
Past Perfect Tense Would + Present Perfect Form
If I had studied I would have passed the
harder, exam.
Impossible conditions
IF CLAUSE MAIN CLAUSE
If you ________ (drink) a lot, I ________ (leave) you
If we ________ (buy) tickets, We ___________ (go) to the concert
If he________ (lose) his key, You ________ (lend) him yours
If they ________ (dance) too They ____________ (get) tired
much,
If they ________ (not stop) We ________ (not finish) our lesson
talking,
If you ________ (take) the dog for I ________ (give) you some money
a walk,
QUICK REVIEW
First Conditional:
- Be careful – someone’s going to see you!
- If you are careful, nobody will see you!
- If + Subject + present simple, subject + future will (aff or neg)
Second Conditional:
-Kathy wants to go to the movies but doesn't have any money
-If Kathy had some money, she would go to the movies.
-If + Subject + past simple (neg or aff), subject + would /could/might + infinitive +
complements
Third Conditional:
-Tom was not going to come to dinner the next day because you insulted him.
-If you hadn’t insulted him, Tom would have come to dinner.
- If + Subject + past perfect (neg or aff), subject + would/ could/might + have + pp +
C
Thank you
