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ENGLISH GRAMMAR

CONDITIONAL STRUCTURE of VERBS

How and when to use the four basic conditional structures.


Conditionals are sentences with two clauses: an ‘if' clause and a main clause.
The 'if' clause introduces a condition and the main clause describes the consequence or result.

We can switch the order of the clauses without changing the meaning.
"If I finish work early, I will come." or: "I will come if I finish work early."

Four basic conditional structures are used in English:

  • Zero Conditional
  • First Conditional
  • Second Conditional
  • Third Conditional
ZERO CONDITIONAL: What is always true or usually happens, or what is advised in the present situation.
IF + Present Simple + Present Simple
If you have a ticket you go straight in.
If you freeze water it becomes solid.
If you see an accident call an ambulance.
If you move that vase be careful not to drop it.
Note : In zero conditional sentences, the 'if' can usually be replaced by 'when' without changing the meaning.

FIRST CONDITIONAL: Something that will possibly happen in the future.
IF + Present Simple + will + infinitive
If I see an accident I will call an ambulance.
If it rains tomorrow the picnic will be cancelled.
If you make spaghetti the boys will be happy.
If you promise to be careful I will lend you my bike.
Note : In the first conditional, we sometimes use:
- can to express possibility
"If there is no food left, we can order a pizza."
- may or might  when the consequence is not certain.
"If the shops are open, I may do some shopping."
"If the strawberries are not too expensive, I might buy some."

SECOND CONDITIONAL: Imaginary events that are probably not going to happen.
If + Past Simple +would + infinitive
If I had the time I would learn to play the piano.
If he had more money he would buy a car.
If she worked harder her results would improve.
If I lived near the sea I would swim more often.
Note : In the second conditional:
- we can use could or might instead of 'would'. For example:
"If we invited the author, he might come."
"If we ordered a larger quantity, we could ask for a reduction."
- we can use were instead of 'was' with 'I' and 'he/she/it'.
"If I were you, I would accept the offer."
"If Sam were here, he would be glad to help."

THIRD CONDITIONAL: Something that did not happen, and the reaction or result you imagine
if it really had happened.
IF + Past Perfect +would + have + past participle
If I had seen the accident I would have called a doctor.
If he had read the instructions he would have assembled it faster.
If she had stayed in Paris she would have improved her French.
If Dad had lent me his car I would have arrived earlier.

CONDITIONAL STRUCTURES WITH INVERSION :

In conditional sentences we can sometimes replace the 'if' with an inversion:
    First conditional:
  • If you are tired you can remain seated.
    With inversion: → Should you be tired, you can remain seated.
  • If she needs assistance at the airport, we will be happy to help.
    Should she need assistance at the airport, we will be happy to help.

  • Second conditional:
  • If they sold their house today, they would get a better price.
    Were they to sell their house today, they would get a better price.
  • If he won money, he would buy a new car.
    Were he to win money, he would buy a new car.

  • Third conditional:
  • If I had known it would be so difficult, I would never have enrolled.
    Had I known it would be so difficult, I would never have enrolled.
  • If they had arrived earlier, they wouldn’t have missed the train.
    Had they arrived earlier, they wouldn’t have missed the train.

  • More on inversion here.

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