Conditional Sentences Rules and Examples | If Clauses Grammar - Learn English

Sentences containing conditional clauses like if, unless and provided that are called conditional sentences. They express four types of conditions and each type has different structures and meanings.

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What are the 4 types of conditional sentences?

The four types of conditionals are:

👉 Zero Conditional

👉 First Conditional

👉 Second Conditional

👉 Third Conditional


Understanding the 4 Types of Conditional Sentences

👉 Zero conditional expresses real and possible situations.

👉 First conditional expresses possible situations in the present or future

👉 Second conditional expresses unlikely but possible situations in the present or in the future

👉 Third Conditional expresses unreal situations in the past


These four types of conditional sentences are expressed in the table below

Types and 

structure

Examples

Meanings

Zero (#Rule:1)

(V1/V5V1/V5)

If we heat ice, it melts.

always real and possible

First (#Rule:2)

(V1/V5will+V1)

If nobody comes to the party, we’ll give all the food to the orphanage.

possible situations in the present or future

Second (#Rule:3)

(V2would+V1)

If I won the lottery, I would travel abroad.

unlikely but possible situations in the present or in the future

Third (#Rule:4)

(had+v3would have+v3)

If John had got a job in the USA, he wouldn’t have come to Canada.

unreal situations in the past


Zero Conditional (Definition and Usage)

The zero conditional is used to talk about things which are always true — such as scientific facts and general truths.

Zero Conditional

Structure of Zero Conditional Sentences

The structure of zero conditional sentences is simple presentsimple present i.e. If + sub+v1/v5+obj↔ Sub+v1/v5+obj. This structure and usage of zero conditional can be illustrated through the table below:

Zero Conditional (simple present ↔ simple present) [V1/V5 ↔ V1/V5] 

Uses

Examples

It expresses cause and effect

If you heat water, it boils. (heat:V1boils:V5)

The time is now or always

Plants die if you don’t water them. (die:V1don’t:V1)

The situation is real and possible.

Ice floats if you drop it in water. (floats:V5drop:V1)

It is used to make statements about the real world, and often refers to general truths, such as scientific facts.

Iron rusts if it gets wet. (rusts:V5gets:V5)

If it rains, the grass gets wet. (rains:V5gets:V5)

Wood doesn’t burn if there is no air. (does:V5is:present be verb)


10 Examples of Zero Conditionals

The following ten examples of Zero Conditionals helps you better understand this conditional 

1) If it rains, the streets flood.

2) If you mix red and blue, you get purple.

3) If you heat water to 100 degrees Celsius, it boils.

4)  If the sun sets, it gets dark.

5) If you drop a ball, it falls to the ground.

6) If you eat too much, you feel sick.

7) If you touch fire, it burns.

8) If you don't water plants, they die.

9) If you turn off the lights, the room becomes dark.

10)   If you cut yourself, you bleed.


First Conditional (Definition and Usage)

The first conditional is used to talk about things which are possible in the present or the future — things which may happen.

First Conditional

Structure of First Conditional Sentences

The structure of first conditional sentences is simple present↔simple future i.e. If+Sub+ v1/v5+obj↔Sub+will+v1+obj. This structure and usage of first conditional can be illustrated through the table below:

First Conditional (simple present: V1/V5 ↔ will//shall/can/may + v1) 

Uses

Examples

It shows a simple possible condition

If he meets me, I will help him. (meets:V5will help:will+V1)

The possibility expressed in the main clause is a real one.

You’ll be sick unless you stop eating spicy food. (will beV1)

If you arrive early, you can catch a ride to the game. (V1can+V1)

If you book early, you may get a seat. (V1may+V1)

It refers to something happening in the present or future.

Provided that he finishes his studies, he will find an excellent job.

(V5will+V1)

simple present ↔ imperatives (If+you+V1+obj ↔ V1 + ……..)

If you want to pass the test, work hard. [If+you+V1(want)……. V1(work)+.......]

If you need any help, meet me tomorrow. [If+you+V1(need)……. V1(meet)+.......]

If you wake up before me, give me a call. [If+you+V1(wake)……. V1(give)+.......]

Press the button if you want a receipt. [V1+....... , if+you+V1 (want)……]


10 Examples of First Conditionals

1) If it rains tomorrow, we will stay indoors.

2) If she studies hard, she will pass the exam.

3)  If I see him at the party, I will say hello.

4) If they invite us, we will attend the event.

5) If you don't hurry, you will miss the train.

6) If the weather is nice, we'll go for a picnic.

7) If you finish your homework, you can watch TV.

8) If the team wins, they will qualify for the finals.

9) If he doesn't eat breakfast, he will be hungry later.

10)   If she doesn't catch the bus, she will be late for work

Second Conditional (Definition and Usage)

The second conditional is used to imagine present or future situations that are impossible or unlikely in reality.

Second Conditional

Structure of Second Conditional Sentences

The structure of first conditional sentences is simple pastwould + v1 i.e. If + Sub+v2+obj↔Sub+would+v1+ obj. This structure and usage of second conditional can be illustrated through the table below:

Second Conditional (simple past: V2 ↔ would/could/might + v1) 

Uses

Examples

It shows a doubtful condition

If he met me, I would help him. [V2 (met)would+V1(help)]

The possibility expressed in the main clause is unreal or doubtful.

He would dance if we requested him. 

[would+V1(dance)V2 (requested)] 

It also expresses hypothetical conditions.

If I were a bird, I would fly high in the sky. (V2would+V1)

If I were you, I would not do that. (V2would+V1)


10 Examples of Second Conditionals

1) If I had a million dollars, I would travel the world.

2) If it snowed in summer, we would be surprised.

3) If she won the lottery, she would buy a new house.

4) If I were you, I would take the job offer.

5) If he were more organized, he would manage his time better.

6) If I were taller, I could reach the top shelf.

7) If it weren't raining, we would go for a walk.

8) If I had the recipe, I could bake the cake.

9) If she spoke Spanish, she could communicate with the locals.

10) If they invited us, we would gladly join the celebration.


Third Conditional (Definition and Usage)

The third conditional is used to talk about things which did not happen in the past.

Third Conditional

Structure of Third Conditional Sentences

The structure of first conditional sentences is past perfect would+have+v3 i.e. If + Sub+had+v3+obj↔Sub + would+have+v3+obj. This structure and usage of third conditional can be illustrated through the table below:

Third Conditional (past perfect: had+V3↔ would//could/might + have+ v3) 

Uses

Examples

It shows unfulfilled conditions.

If he had met me, I would have helped him. 

[had+V3(met)would+have+V3(helped)]

The condition was possible only in the past and there is no possibility of it being fulfilled now.

He would have danced if we had requested him.

[would+have+V3(danced) had+V3(requested)]

If they had invited me, I could have come.

It expresses regrets or repentance

If she had studied for exams, she would have got better grades.


10 Examples of third Conditionals

1) If they had studied harder, they would have passed the exam.

2) If it hadn't rained, we would have had the outdoor party.

3) If she had known about the traffic, she wouldn't have taken that route.

4) If I had seen your message earlier, I would have replied sooner.

5) If they had arrived on time, they would have caught the train.

6) If we had saved more money, we could have gone on a luxurious vacation.

7) If you had told me about the meeting, I would have attended.

8) If she had practiced more, she might have won the competition.

9) If it hadn't been so cold, we would have stayed at the beach longer.

10) If they had invested wisely, they wouldn't have lost their savings.

Various Structures of Conditional Sentences


Positive conditions

Structure

He’ll do it if you pay him.

Will + V1V1

If she asked me, I would help her.

V2would+V1

If you like it, you can keep it.

V1can+V1

If she knew the answer, she would tell us.

V2would+V1


Negative conditions

Structure

I wouldn’t eat that food unless I was really hungry

would+V1 was

She would be here by now unless she was stuck in the traffic.

would + be was

If you don’t water plants, they die.

V1V1

Unless you buy a ticket, you won’t be allowed in.

V1will be/ won’t be


Interrogative conditions

Structure

Does Homer get angry if you forget to feed him?

V5V1

Would it hurt the car if you put apple juice in the gas tank?

Would+V1V2

What happens to your computer if you leave it on all night?

V5V1

What would happen if you put apple juice in the gas tank?

Would+V1V2

What will you do if he refuses to give you a rise?

Wil+V1V5


Had + subject + past participle (Third Type)

Structure

Had the rescue crew found him earlier, they could have saved his life.

had+V3could have+V3

Had you told me about your problems, this disaster would not have happened.

had+V3would have+V3

Had I saved my money, I would have bought a house.

had+V3would have+V3

Had they caught the first bus, they would not have been late.

had+V3would have+V3

Had I been invited to the party, I would have gone.

had+V3would have+V3


Important questions and concepts about conditional sentences

What are the 4 types of conditional sentences?
The four types of conditional sentences are zero conditional, first conditional, second conditional, and third conditional.
What is an example of conditional in a sentence?
Example: "If it rains, we will stay indoors."
What are 5 examples of if clauses?
Examples:
  • If you study hard, you will pass the exam.
  • If it snows tomorrow, school may be canceled.
  • If she calls, tell her I'll call back later.
  • If I see him, I'll let him know.
  • If the sun sets, it will get dark.
What is type 1 conditional sentence?
Type 1 conditional sentence example: "If it rains, we will cancel the picnic."
What is 3rd conditional sentences?
Example of a third conditional sentence: "If he had studied, he would have passed the test."
What is an example of a second conditional?
Example: "If I won the lottery, I would travel around the world."
What are 1st and 2nd conditionals examples?
First conditional example: "If it snows, I will build a snowman."
Second conditional example: "If I were you, I would quit that job."
What are type 2 and 3 conditional sentences?
Type 2: Expresses unreal or unlikely present situations, like "If I had a car, I would drive to work."
Type 3: Describes unreal or regretful past situations, such as "If she had known, she would have come."
How do you make a second conditional?
A second conditional is made by using the past simple in the "if" clause and would + base verb in the main clause, like "If I had more time, I would travel."
What is an example of a third conditional?
Example: "If she had studied harder, she might not have failed the exam."
What is an example of impossible in the second conditional?
Example: "If I were a bird, I would fly."
What is an example of a future real conditional?
Example: "If it rains tomorrow, we will cancel the outdoor event."
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