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.
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
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
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.
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
|