Conditionals are used to describe something what could happen, what might have happened, and what we wish to happen. Sometimes conditionals are called as ‘if clauses’. There are four main kinds of conditionals. All these conditionals are made up of an if clause and a main clause. In many negative conditional sentences, there is an equivalent sentence construction using “unless” instead of “if”.
There are four main kinds of conditionals:
1. The Zero Conditional:
The zero conditional is used when the time is being referred to now or always and the situation is real and possible. The zero conditional is often used to refer to the general truths.
The zero conditional sentences are made with two simple present verbs (One in the ‘if clause’ and the other in the ‘main clause’):
If + simple present, …. simple present
For example: If it rains, the crops grow. (It is always true; there cannot be a different result).
Examples
- If it rains, the ground gets wet.
- If James goes to the party with his friends, sometimes they get drunk.
- If Mary has her birthday, she usually buys a new frock.
The ‘if’ in this conditional can be usually replaced by using ‘when’ without changing the meaning.
For example: when it rains, the ground gets wet.
2. The First Conditional
The first conditional is used to talk about things which might happen in the future.
Though it does not determine what will happen in the future, it describes possible actions. The first conditional refers to a possible condition and its probable result.
In these sentences, when the if clause is in the simple present, the main clause should be kept in the simple future.
if + simple present, … will + infinitive
Examples:
- If she studies, she will pass the exam.
- If you work hard, you will achieve your goals one day.
- If we practice cricket, we will win the match.
3. The Second Conditional
The second conditional is used to talk about;
01). Something in the present which is impossible, because it’s not true.
Examples: If I were the president of the country, I would develop it. (I am not the president of the country; therefore, it is impossible to develop the country).
More examples:
- If I knew swimming, I would go for the Olympics.
- If I were born in India, I would speak in Hindi.
- If he was sportive, he would join the army.
02). Situations in the future which are possible, but unlikely to happen.
Examples: If I won a lottery, I would buy a new car. (Probably I will not win the lottery.)
More examples:
- If she got the transfer for her favorite school, she would work well.
- If she received some money, she would build her house.
- If they gave up their pride, they would live happily.
The second conditional uses the simple past after if, while the second clause carries ‘would’ and the infinitive:
if + simple past, …would + infinitive
4. The third conditional
The third conditional is used to describe a situation that had not happened and to imagine the result of that. The facts are based on the opposite of what is expressed. The third conditional is used to refer to an unreal past condition and its probable past result.
The third conditional uses the past perfect after ‘if’ and ‘would have’ and the past participle in the second part of the sentence:
if + past perfect, …would + have + past participle
For example:
If she had studied hard, she would have passed the exam. (But we know that she did not study hard and therefore, she did not pass the exam).
Examples:
- If she had been more careful, she would not have had an accident.
- If I had known him, I would have talked to him.
- If he had married a good girl, he would have lived a better life.
