There are generally four types of conditional sentences, each of which have a range of possible forms. We do not use any special forms of verb in English when using conditionals like in other languages.
What is a conditional sentence?
A conditional sentence normally consists of an ‘if clause’ and a ‘main clause’.
The ‘if clause’ begins with if. The ‘main clause’ is the other clause as can be seen below.
If it rains, my students will get wet.
I eat, if I am hungry.
If there is noise, it is hard to sleep.
Both clauses are connected in in subject and are separated by a comma.
It is possible for both the ‘if clause’ to appear first or last, the meaning is the same either way around.
Types of conditionals
zero conditional
describes what happens in general
simple present (if clause) + simple present (main clause)
If the phone rings, I hear it.
If you heat ice, it melts.
If I get hungry, I eat.
first conditional
describes what might happen (possibility)
simple present) (if clause) + simple future (main clause)
If I am hungry, I will eat out.
They will sell the company, if sales continue to fall. (remember, the if clause can appear at the beginning or end)
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second conditional
describes what is probably not going to be true or is contrary to fact
simple past (if clause) + present continuous conditional or continuous
If I won the lottery, I would buy Mr Bean’s car!
If I were you, I would take the job.
If I could have my life again, I would not change anything.
third conditional
talks about a past situation that did not happen to imagine the result
past perfect + perfect conditional or perfect continuous
If they had accepted the offer, we would of have had a bigger house now.
My grandparents would have been happier if they would have been this century.
My uncle would have liked this music, if he had been here to hear it.
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Using conditionals:
What would you do if you won the lottery?
What do you wish was different?
Is there something that you wish you had done differently?