A Conditional Sentence describes the condition that is necessary for a particular result to happen. conditional Sentences have two parts:`1. The ‘if clause’ (conditional clause) 2. The main clause.example:if you work hard during your examination, I will get you a watch.
Both the condition and result are very likely to happen. The “if clause” in the sentence is the first segment, “if you work hard during your examinations”. The main clause is, “I will get you a watch”.
The conjunction if, even if, when, whenever, whether, and unless often appear in conditional sentences.
It is possible to use other words instead of if in first conditional sentences:
| ALTERNATIVE TO “IF” | WHY USE IT? | EXAMPLE |
| When | When the “condition” will definitely happen. | When I die, I’ll leave all my money to charity. |
| As soon as | To emphasize immediacy | This situation is very urgent. I’ll call you as soon as I have more information. |
| Unless | In place of “if not” | You’ll fail the test unless you study. = You’ll fail the test if you don’t study. |
Let’s study each case separately.
WHEN: WHEN THE “CONDITION” WILL DEFINITELY HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE.
Look at the difference between these two sentences:
- If I see Sam, I’ll give him your message. (I’m not sure if I will see him or not)
- When I see Sam, I’ll give him your message. (I will definitely see Sam)
AS SOON AS: TO EMPHASIZE IMMEDIACY.
- My feet hurt! As soon as I get home, I’m going to take off these high heels.
- As soon as we have enough money saved, we’ll take a vacation to Costa Rica. We can’t wait!
- I’ll respond to your e-mail as soon as I can.
UNLESS: SUBSTITUTE FOR “IF NOT.”
- You won’t lose any weight unless you start eating healthier food.
= You won’t lose any weight if you don’t start eating healthier food. - I’m not going to dance unless somebody invites me.
= I’m not going to dance if somebody doesn’t invite me. - Unless there’s an emergency at work, I’ll be home on time.
= If there’s not an emergency at work, I’ll be home on time.
Use the Second Conditional to talk about impossible, imaginary, or unlikely situations:
- If I were an animal, I’d be a tiger. (impossible)
- What would you do if you had a billion dollars? (imaginary)
- If Americans ate less fast food, they’d be healthier. (unlikely)
There are two parts to a second conditional sentence: the condition and the result:
| CONDITION | RESULT |
| If he exercised more, | he’d be thinner. |
| If I were taller, | I could be a professional basketball player. |
| If the teacher spoke more slowly, | we’d understand her better. |
| If your company went bankrupt, | what would you do? |
It is possible to reverse the condition and the result:
If you slept 8 hours every night, you’d feel better
= You’d feel better if you slept 8 hours every night.
HOW TO FORM THE SECOND CONDITIONAL:
CONDITION: if + subject + past simple
RESULT: subject + would/might/could + verb
With would, it’s common to use the contractions:
I’d, you’d, he’d, she’d, we’d, they’d
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WOULD, MIGHT, AND COULD?
would – the result is more definite or certain
If Peter asked Karen to marry him, she would say yes.
(In this case, we know that Karen loves Peter very much)
might – the result may or may not happen
If Peter asked Karen to marry him, she might say yes… but she might say no. (In this case, we aren’t sure if Karen loves Peter or not)
could – to talk about possible results
If I had a million dollars, I could do anything! I could buy a new car every month, I could have my own helicopter, I could live in a mansion, I could eat expensive gourmet food, I could quit my job…
(could emphasizes the opening of possibilities)
SECOND CONDITIONAL QUIZ
| Question 1 |
If I were you, __________ a new house.
| A | I found |
| B | I’d find |
| C | I’ve found |
| Question 2 |
I’d help you if I ___________ more about graphics.
| A | knew |
| B | known |
| C | would know |
| Question 3 |
___________ happier if he stopped worrying about his insecurities.
| A | He was |
| B | He’s |
| C | He’d be |
| Question 4 |
If we _____________ so much, we’d have time to take dance classes.
| A | couldn’t work |
| B | didn’t work |
| C | wouldn’t work |
| Question 5 |
If you ____________ one thing about your personality, what would you change?
| A | changed |
| B | could change |
| C | will change |
| Question 6 |
My manager ______________ so stressed if he stops procastinating.
| A | isn’t |
| B | wasn’t |
| C | wouldn’t be |
| Question 7 |
You _____________ more things done if you didn’t spend so much time on the internet!
| A | could get |
| B | got |
| C | don’t get |
| Question 8 |
What ________________ if you didn’t have to go to work on Monday?
| A | do you do |
| B | did you do |
| C | would you do |
| Question 9 |
If ____________ a car accident happen, I’d call police and ambulance immediately.
| A | I could see |
| B | I’d see |
| C | I saw |
| Question 10 |
If I met Saif Ali Khan, ____________ him for an selfie!
| A | I asked |
| B | I’d ask |
| C | I didn’t ask |
Points to Ponder:
A conditional sentence describes the condition that is necessary for a particular result to happen. Conditional sentences have two parts:1. The “if clause” (conditional clause)2. The main clause
Types of Conditional sentences:
1. Real Conditional
If (Present Tense) Main (Simple Future).ex- If I win the lottery, I can go to US.
2. Hypothetical Conditional If (Past Tense) Main (would)
ex- If you supervised it, the whole operation would be successful.
If (were) Main (would)
ex- If I were the Prime Minister, I would do a great job.
3. Impossible Conditional
If (Past Present) Main (would have + III form)
ex- If I had won the lottery, I would have gone to Kashmir.
