Tuesday 10 December 2013

Conditional Sentences





Conditional Sentences are also known as Conditional Clauses or If Clauses. They are used to express that the action in the main clause (without if) can only take place if a certain condition (in the clause with if) is fulfilled.

There are four types of Conditional Sentences.


1.   Conditional Zero 
  • It is used for present factual situation where an outcome happens if a specific condition is met.
      FORM:      
      If + Subject + verb (simple present), + subject + verb (simple present)

      Examples:

If
conditional
result
If
I drink coffee,
I can't sleep at night.
If
I sleep late,
I wake up late.















2.   Conditional Type I 
  • It is possible and also very likely that the condition will be fulfilled
FORM:       
If + Subject + verb(simple present), + subject + Will+ Verb

Examples:

If
conditional
result
If
I see her,
I will invite her to the concert.
If
I find a job,
I will buy a house.





















3.   Conditional Type II 
  • It is possible but very unlikely, that the condition will be fulfilled
FORM:     
If + Subject + Verb(simple past), + Subject + Would + verb

Examples:

If
conditional
result
If
I were an actor,
I would be popular.
If
I found her address,
I would send her an invitation.

















4.   Conditional Type III
  • It is impossible that the condition will be fulfilled because it refers to the past.
FORM:     
If + Subject + Verb(past perfect), + Subject + Would + have + Past Participle

Examples:

If
conditional
result
If
he had taken the bus,
he would have arrived on time
If
you had asked me,
I would have helped you