CONDITIONALS
CONDITIONALS
CONDITIONALS
The if-clause (which is a condition) and the main clause (which is a result)
For example:
If it rains, we will cancel the trip.
If it rains …. is the if-clause (the condition)
An if-clause begins with IF and has a subject and a verb.
We will cancel the trip …. is the main clause (the result)
If introduces a condition. This is something that may or may not happen, depending on the
circumstances.
We don’t know exactly if it is going to rain so we say… IF it rains,
And what is the result of this condition? We will cancel the trip.
There is always a condition and a result.
The IF-clause introduces a condition. The main clause is the result of that condition.
What happens in the main clause is conditional to what happens in the if-clause. In other words,
the main clause only happens when the events in the if-clause happen.
Note: There are two ways of ordering a conditional sentence.
TYPES OF CONDITIONALS
The four main types of conditionals are:
The Zero Conditional, the First Conditional, the Second Conditional, and the Third Conditional.
Sometimes these are called Type 0, Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3 Conditionals.
We will quickly introduce them in this lesson and go into more detail about each conditional in
individual lessons.
The Zero Conditional
This involves the present simple + present simple
This is used for facts that are generally true or scientific facts.
The condition always has the same result.
If you stand in the rain, you get wet. (This is generally true)
If you heat ice, it melts. (This is a fact)
In general:
Zero conditional refers to facts.
First conditional and Second conditional refer to the present or future. However second
conditional sentences suggest it is less probable or imaginary.
Third conditional refers to the past.
There are MORE than these 4 types of conditional sentences though these are the ones that
are used the most. We will look at other types in future lessons.