Conditional Sentences
Conditional Sentences
Conditional sentences are also referred to as conditional clauses or if clauses. These sentences show that certain conditions must be fulfilled in order for the action in the main clause to take place. This concept is difficult for many ESL learners and native English speakers alike to fully grasp. There are five types of conditional sentences: the zero conditional (Type 0), the first conditional (Type I), the second conditional (Type II), the third conditional (Type III), and wish sentences.
The zero conditional is most commonly used when writing about general truths or scientific facts if they occur under specific conditions. There are two clauses in a zero conditional sentence: an if clause and a main clause. The word when can replace if, and the sentence will remain a zero conditional sentence. Where the if clause is written has an effect on comma placement. If the if clause is used at the beginning of the sentence, then a comma is placed after the clause. If the if clause comes after the main clause, then no comma is used.
If you put ice in water, it will float.
Or: When you put ice in water, it floats.
Or: Ice will float if you put it in water.
Not: If you put ice in water it will float.
Not: Ice will float, if you put it in water.
If you leave ice cream in the sun, it will melt.
Or: When you leave ice cream in the sun, it melts.
Or: Ice cream will melt if you leave it in the sun.
Not: If you leave ice cream in the sun it will melt.
Not: Ice cream will melt, if you leave it in the sun.
If paper is put in a fire, it will burn.
Or: When paper is put in a fire, it burns.
Or: Paper will burn if it is put in a fire.
Not: If paper is put in a fire it will burn.
Not: Paper will burn, if it is put in a fire.
The first conditional is used when a condition that is occurring in the present or the future is very likely to be fulfilled.
if clause + simple present (condition) + future (result)
This structure can change when the result is habitual or automatic. This changes the condition and the result so that it is written in the present.
if clause + simple present (condition) + simple present (result)
I'll cook the steak if she makes the salad.
Or: If she makes the salad, I will cook the steak.
Not: I will cook the steak, and she will make the salad. (no condition)
If she sings, I will cry.
Or: I will cry if she sings.
Not: I am crying because she is singing. (no condition)
If he leaves, she won't survive.
Or: She won't survive if he leaves.
Not: He left and she won't be able to survive without him. (no condition)
If oil is in short supply, gas prices tend to rise. (simple + simple)
Or: Gas prices tend to rise if oil is in short supply.
Not: Gas prices are high because oil is in short supply. (no condition)
The second conditional is used to describe conditions that may occur in the present or the future but are highly unlikely. The structure of the second conditional is as follows:
if clause + simple past + conditional (would + infinitive)
If I had her number, I would send her a text.
Or: I would send her a text if I had her number.
Not: If I had her number, I will text her. (will-future)
If houses weren't so expensive, I would buy one.
Or: I would buy a house if they weren't so expensive.
Not: If houses weren't so expensive, I will buy one. (will-future)
If there were an amusement park close by, I would go every day.
Or: I would go to an amusement park every day if there were one close by.
Not: If there was an amusement park close by, I will go every day. (will-future)
Please note that the last example uses the subjunctive tense. We'll talk about that tense in just a bit.
The third conditional is used to describe conditions that could have occurred but were not fulfilled in the past. The form of this conditional looks like the following:
if clause + past perfect + perfect conditional (would + have + past participle)
If I had known it was a costume party, I wouldn't have worn my party dress.
Or: I wouldn't have worn my party dress if I had known it was a costume party.
Not: If I had known it was a costume party, I wouldn't wear my party dress. (conditional)
If you had been paying attention, you would not have gotten ketchup on your shirt.
Or: You wouldn't have gotten ketchup on your shirt if you had been paying attention.
Not: If you had been paying attention, you will not get ketchup on your shirt. (will-future)
If I had liked scary movies, I would have gone to see it.
Or: I would have gone to see it if I had liked scary movies.
Not: The movie is scary, and I don't want to see it. (no condition)
Wish sentences express a longing for something to occur. This is usually used when someone wanted something to occur in the past, but it didn't happen. Wish sentences often express regret. The structures of wish sentences are as follows:
wish (present) + past perfect
wish (present) + simple past
wish (present) + past continuous
If you want to express a wish for the present, the following structure would be applied:
wish (present) + would + infinitive
I wish I had seen you last night. (past perfect)
I wish it wasn't raining. (past simple)
I wish I was lying on the beach. (past continuous)
I wish you would win the lottery. (would + infinitive)
He wishes she had said hello. (past perfect)
They wish the car was faster. (past simple)
We wish you were playing baseball with us this year. (past continuous)
You wish I would come back. (would + infinitive)
Conditionals are used to show consequences of related (even theoretical or potential) events. It's difficult enough to use a new language, but to think in abstractions in a new language can be an even greater challenge. If you run into difficulties with conditionals when editing an ESL document, first try to determine the type of conditional. If necessary, query the author, and give a number of options for the author to choose from based on his or her intended meaning.
Last Updated: 09/29/2022