CONDITIONAL SENTENCES

They are complex sentences, including two clauses. One clause introduces a condition, and the other introduces the result which depends on that condition. There are three types of conditionals, depending on the meaning we want to express and accordingly using different verb tenses. They are usually introduced by the connector IF, but UNLESS can replace it sometimes.

1. FIRST CONDITIONAL A. Structure Condition If + subject + present simple verb Result Subject + will / wont + base verb (basic structure) Modal verb variations Imperative

The order of the clauses can be C + , + R or R + C Example : If you fail the exam , your parents will be very angry. C R Your parents will be very angry if you fail the exam. If you need my help, phone me. (IMPERATIVE) You must study more if you dont want to fail. (MODAL) B. Use The first conditional is used to talk about real possibilities in the present or in the future. If the condition is fulfilled, the result will be achieved. Example: If you cook dinner, I'll wash the dishes. C. The Zero Conditional It is a variation of the first conditional. We use it when the results are habitual or automatic (general truths, scientific facts). The structure is as follows: Condition If + subject + present simple verb Result Subject + present simple verb

Most zero conditional sentences will mean the same thing if "when" is used instead of "if". Examples: If I have a day off from work, I usually go to the beach. When I have a day off from work, I usually go to the beach. Using "if" suggests that something happens less frequently. Using "when" suggests that something happens regularly. D. Unless. It is a negative word. It is equivalent to if + negative sentence. We cannot use unless in a negative clause. Example: She wont come if you dont invite her. She wont come unless you invite her.

2. SECOND CONDITIONAL A. Structure Condition If + subject + past simple verb Result Subject + would/ wouldnt + base verb Modal verb

The order of the clauses can be C + , + R or R + C Example: Paula would be sad if Jan left. Verb to be: We use were with singular and plural subject, because it is subjunctive. The rest of verbs make no difference between past simple indicative and subjunctive. In general, we use the structure If I were you to give advice. Example: If I were you, I would drive more carefully in the rain. B. Use The second is used to talk about unreal situations in the present or in the future. It usually expresses wishes or hypotheses. Examples: If I had the money, I would buy this car. (I do not have the money, so I cannot buy any new car). If dogs had wings, they would fly. (Definitely, dogs dont fly)

2. THIRD CONDITIONAL A. Structure Condition If + subject + past perfect verb (had + pp) Result Subject + would/ wouldnt + have + past participle (pp) Perfect modal verb (modal + have + pp)

The order of the clauses can be C + , + R or R + C Examples: If I'd studied harder, I would have passed the exam. We could have won the game if we had played a little better. B. Use The third conditional is used to talk about unreal situations in the past. In other words, things which DID NOT HAPPEN in the past (the action is impossible). The condition cannot be fulfilled because the action in the if-clause did not happen. It usually introduces regrets and complains. While type 1 and type 2 focus on the present or future, the time in type 3 is the past. Examples: If you had driven more carefully, you would not have had an accident. (You had an accident because you didn't drive carefully enough.) We wouldnt have missed the train if we had left home earlier (We left home too late)