Conditionals

In English, we often use some sentences that express conditions. For example, '' If you smoke, people will hate you''. In this chapter, we will learn about some conditional sentences and their pattern.

Types:

• First conditional
• 2nd conditional
• 3rd conditional
• Zero conditional

First conditional: This conditional starts with a simple present tense. If + present indefinite indicates that it is first conditional.

Pattern: If + present indefinite, future Indefinite (Sub + shall/will + v1 + obj)

See,

If I know the truth, I will tell you.

If you borrow a book from your school library, you will give it back within the fixed days.

Second conditional: Second conditional starts with simple past tense. If + past indefinite indicate second conditional.

Structure: If + past indefinite, future in the past (Sub + would + v1 + obj)

Example: If I knew the truth, I would tell you.

If I made that choice, would you be here?

Third Conditional: This conditional can start taking two form.

1. If + past perfect tense

2. Had + subject + V3

Structure: If + past perfect, Sub+ would have + v3 + obj

Or, Had + subject + V3 + object, Sub+ would have + v3 + obj

Example: If I had known the truth, I would have told you.

Had I been there, I would have helped you.

Had I seen the truth, I would have known many interesting thing.

Zero conditional : There is an exceptional case when zero conditional is used. Most of the time we use zero conditional telling something scientifically true.

Pattern : If + present indefinite, present indefinite

See,

If you heat water, it boils.

If a person dies, his heart stops working.

Notice this very carefully, You may find no problem saying that 'If a person dies, his heart will stop working'. But there is a problem. If you want to use first conditional in this sentence, you had better say ' If a person's heart stops working, he will die'.