Conditional Sentences – Easy Explanation
“Conditional sentences show possible situations and their results.”
📘 What is a Conditional Sentence?
A conditional sentence expresses a condition and its result. It usually has two parts:
- If-clause: the condition
- Main clause: the result
Example: If it rains, we will stay home.
📚 Types of Conditional Sentences
| Type | Usage | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zero Conditional | Facts or general truths | If + present simple, present simple | If you heat ice, it melts. |
| First Conditional | Real possibility in future | If + present simple, will + verb | If it rains, I will take an umbrella. |
| Second Conditional | Unreal or imaginary present/future | If + past simple, would + verb | If I were rich, I would travel the world. |
| Third Conditional | Unreal past situations | If + had + past participle, would have + past participle | If she had studied, she would have passed. |
🧠 Tips to Remember
- Use a comma when the “if” part comes first.
- Use the correct tense for each conditional type.
- “Were” is used instead of “was” in second conditionals (e.g., If I were...).
📋 Exam Questions
- Q: What are conditional sentences?
A: Sentences that show a condition and its result. - Q: Structure of second conditional?
A: If + past simple, would + verb - Q: Example of third conditional?
A: If I had left earlier, I would have caught the train.