- Conditional Sentences: Conditional sentences describe the result of a certain condition. They are also known as “If clauses” and are a crucial part of English grammar for competitive exams.
- The Structure of a Conditional Sentence – A conditional sentence has two parts:
- If-clause (the condition)
- Main clause (the result)
- Example: If it rains (if-clause), we will cancel the trip (main clause).
Type 0: The Zero Conditional (Facts & Universal Truths)
This type is used for scientific facts, general truths, and things that are always true.
Structure: If + Present Simple, …. Present Simple.
- If you heat ice, it melts.
- If people don’t eat, they get hungry.
- If you mix blue and yellow, you get green.
Type 1: The First Conditional (Real Future Possibility)
This type is used for real and possible situations in the future.
Structure: If + Present Simple, …. will/can/may/must + base verb (V1).
- If you work hard, you will pass the exam.
- If it is sunny tomorrow, we may go for a picnic.
- If you don’t hurry, you will miss the train.
Type 2: The Second Conditional (Unreal Present or Future)
This type is used for hypothetical, imaginary, or unlikely situations in the present or future.
Structure: If + Past Simple, …. would/could/might + base verb (V1).
- If I were the Prime Minister, I would improve the education system. (Note: “were” is used with “I” in conditionals)
- If I had a million dollars, I would buy a luxury car.
- If she studied harder, she could get a better job.
Type 3: The Third Conditional (Unreal Past)
This type is used to talk about situations that did NOT happen in the past and their imaginary results.
Structure: If + Past Perfect (had + V3), …. would/could/might + have + Past Participle (V3).
- If you had informed me, I would have come to the station. (But you didn’t inform me, so I didn’t come.)
- If she had practiced well, she could have won the competition.
- If I had left home earlier, I wouldn’t have missed the flight.
Mixed Conditionals
These combine time from different conditional types, usually a past condition with a present result.
Structure: If + Past Perfect (had + V3), …. would/could/might + base verb (V1).
- If you had saved your money (in the past), you would be rich now (in the present).
- If I had learned German (in the past), I would work in Berlin today (in the present).
Quick Revision Table
| Type | Usage | If-Clause | Main Clause |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Facts & Truths | Present Simple | Present Simple |
| 1 | Real Future | Present Simple | will + V1 |
| 2 | Unreal Present/Future | Past Simple | would + V1 |
| 3 | Unreal Past | Past Perfect (had + V3) | would have + V3 |