Scribd
Upload
43 views3 pages

Conditional Sentence Type 0: Form

Conditional sentences are used to describe situations that depend on certain conditions being met. There are four types of conditional sentences: Type 0 refers to general truths and uses "if + present, + present". Type 1 refers to possible future events and uses "if + present, + future". Type 2 refers to unlikely situations and uses "if + past, + would + base verb". Type 3 refers to hypothetical past situations and uses "if + past perfect, + would have + past participle". The document provides examples and explanations of when to use each conditional sentence type.

Uploaded by

Ale
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
43 views3 pages

Conditional Sentence Type 0: Form

Conditional sentences are used to describe situations that depend on certain conditions being met. There are four types of conditional sentences: Type 0 refers to general truths and uses "if + present, + present". Type 1 refers to possible future events and uses "if + present, + future". Type 2 refers to unlikely situations and uses "if + past, + would + base verb". Type 3 refers to hypothetical past situations and uses "if + past perfect, + would have + past participle". The document provides examples and explanations of when to use each conditional sentence type.

Uploaded by

Ale
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

Conditional Sentences

Conditional Sentence Type 0


Conditional type zero is used to talk about general
truths, scientific facts or things which always happen
under certain conditions.

Form:
If + Simple Present, + Simple Present

Use:
The zero conditional is used to talk about things which are always true, scientific
facts, general truths:
Examples:
If you cross an international date line, the time changes.
Phosphorus burns if you expose it to air.
If I wake up early, I go jogging.
NOTE: you can use "when" instead of "if".

Conditional Sentence Type 1


Often called the "real" conditional because it is used for real or possible situations.
These situations take place if a certain condition is met. It is possible and also very
likely that the condition will be fulfilled.

Form:
If + Simple Present, + Simple Future

Use
Conditional Sentences Type 1 refer to the future. An action in the future will only
happen if a certain condition is fulfilled by that time. We don't know for sure
whether the condition actually will be fulfilled or not, but the conditions seems
rather realistic so we think it is likely to happen.
Example:
If I have enough time, I'll watch the football match.

I may have time to watch the match but I'm not sure about it.

Conditional Sentence Type 2


Often called the "unreal" conditional because it is used for unreal impossible or
improbable situations. This conditional provides an imaginary result for a given
situation. It is very unlikely that the condition will be fulfilled.

Form:
if + Simple Past, + would + base verb

Were / Was
In conditional type 2, we usually use in the if clause "were" instead of "was" even if
the pronoun is I, he, she or it. "were" here is a subjunctive form.
NOTE "was" is also a possible form.
Example:
If I were a millionaire, I would buy a castle.

Use
Conditional Sentences Type 2 refer to an action in the present that could happen if
the present situation were different. I don't really expect the situation to change
because it is very unlikely.
Example:
If I had a lot of money, I would travel around the world.

Conditional Sentence Type 3


It is impossible that the condition will be met because it refers to the past.

Form:
if + Past Perfect, + would + have + Past Participle

Use
Conditional Sentences Type 3 refer to situations in the past. They express
hypothetical results to past given situations.

Example:
If he had been careful, he wouldn't have had that terrible accident.
Sometimes in the past, he was careless. He drove so fast. So he had a terrible
accident

Things to remember
1. The main clause can also be at the beginning of the sentence. In this case, don't
use a comma.
Examples:
"Phosphorus burns if you expose it to air."
" I will send her an invitation if I find her address."
" I would travel around the world if I had a million dollars."
"He wouldn't have had that terrible accident if he had been careful."
2. Main clause and/or if clause might be negative.
Example:
If I dont see him this afternoon, I will phone him in the evening.
If he had been careful, he wouldn't have had an accident.

Exercises on conditional sentences

You might also like