What are Conditional Sentences?
Conditionals are sentences used in English to
Examples of Conditional Sentences are:
1. If you read this book, you will gain a lot of knowledge. 2. Smitha could have joined us if you had informed her on time. 3. Unless he owns up to his mistake, we cannot take him back on the team. |
Characteristics of Conditional Sentences:
If my parents let me, I will join you for the movie. Dependent clause main clause |
| If time permits, we can watch a movie. |
If you keep the door open, the cat will run out. Simple present tense Simple future tense |
Unless he owns up to his mistake, the team will not take him back. Negative clause |
Types of Conditional sentences:
There are four types of conditional sentences in English.
1. Zero conditional
2. First conditional
3. Second conditional
4. Third conditional
1. 1 Zero Conditional sentences:
Example of zero conditional sentence:
If the snow melts, the roads become slippery
Simple present tense Simple present tense
More examples of zero conditional sentences are:
| Dependent Clause | Main Clause |
| If Mahesh buys a car, | his jealous neighbour also buys a car |
| If you fail to show up, | the opportunity goes to someone else. |
| If it rains, | little green shoots erupt out of the earth. |
2.1 First Conditional sentence:
example of first conditional sentences:
If he arrives in 10 minutes, we will apprise him of the matter.
Simple present tense Simple present tense
More examples:
| Dependent Clause | Main Clause |
| If you lead a simple life, | you will have no anxieties |
| If it rains, | we will need an umbrella. |
3.1 Second Conditional sentences:
Example of Second Conditional sentence:
If I had your sense of humour, I would consider a career in comedy.
Simple past tense Simple past tense
More examples of Conditional sentences are:
| Dependent Clause | Main Clause |
| If we had the means, | we would buy a car. |
| If I were the Prime Minister, | I would strive for the alleviation of poverty |
| If Manish had more time, | he would finish his paper. |
4.1 Third Conditional sentence:
Example of third conditional sentence is:
If I had saved enough money, I would have bought that house
Past perfect tense Past perfect tense
More examples of third conditional sentences are:
| Dependent Clause | Main Clause |
| If she had informed us, | we would have cancelled our plans |
| If they hadn’t worked hard, | they would not have won |
| If the purse had been stolen, | Manisha would have been left penniless. |
Variations in Form:
For example: Krishna would have failed if Balram hadn’t intervened on time
Future perfect tense Future perfect tense
For example: Were I in your place, I would set the records straight.
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