KOTEBE UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION SCIENCE SHARED
CAMPUS
ENGLISH ASSIGNMENT : CONDITIONAL SENTENCES
CLASS 10C
GROUP MEMBERS ROLL NO
1.ABEL SOLOMON …………………………………….. 2
2.ABRAHAM WEGAYEHU ……………………………. 3
3.AMANUEL MULUGETA …………………………….. 4
4.BELESS K/MARIAM …………………………………. 5
5.BEREKET TIZAZU …………………………………... 6
6.SAMSON FIKRE ………………………………………. 22
SUBMITTED TO MR. YITAYAL
Introduction
A conditional sentence is a type of sentence that expresses a hypothetical situation or event and its potential
outcome. These sentences typically consist of two parts: the "if" clause, which presents the condition, and the
main clause, which presents the result or consequence of that condition. Conditional sentences are used to
discuss possibilities, uncertainties, or hypothetical scenarios and they can be classified into different types based
on the likelihood of the condition being met and the result occurring. Understanding conditional sentences is
essential for effective communication and expressing various shades of meaning in both spoken and written
language. In English, conditional sentences can be broadly categorized into four types: zero conditional, first
conditional, second conditional, and third conditional. Each type employs distinct verb tenses and moods to
convey different degrees of certainty or probability associated with the conditions and their hypothetical
outcomes.
Conditional Sentence Type 0 (Zero Conditional):
Conditional sentence type 0 is used to express general truths, habits, scientific facts, or cause-and-effect
relationships that are consistently true or universally accepted. It does not involve hypothetical or unreal
situations like other conditional sentence types.
Structure:
If-clause: Present simple (subject + V1)
Main clause: Present simple (subject + V1)
Example:
- If you heat ice, it melts.
Function:
Expressing General Truths: It is used to talk about facts, habits, or situations that are always true or
universally accepted.
- Example: If you mix red and blue, you get purple.
Describing Scientific Facts: It is used to express scientific principles or natural laws.
- Example: If you heat water to 100 degrees Celsius, it boils.
Stating Cause and Effect: It is used to describe cause-and-effect relationships that are consistent and
predictable.
- Example: If I eat too much, I feel sick.
Conditional sentence type I
Conditional sentence type I, also known as the "first conditional," is a grammatical structure used to express real
or possible situations in the present or future along with their likely outcomes.
Structure
If clause. ............... If + subject + V1 (present)
Main clause.................. Subject + will + V1
Example If you study hard, you will pass your exams.
If you do the dishes, Dad will be happy.
Function
.Expressing Likely or Possible Situations in the Present: Conditional sentences Type I are used to talk
about situations in the present that are likely to happen or are possible. They express real or possible
conditions and their potential outcomes in the present.
Example: If it rains, I will bring an umbrella.
Expressing Likely or Possible Situations in the Future: Conditional sentences Type I can also be used to
discuss situations in the future that are likely to occur or are possible. They express real or possible
conditions and their potential outcomes in the future.
Example: If she studies hard, she will pass the exam.
Expressing General Truths or Facts: Conditional sentences Type I can be used to express general truths
or facts that are universally true or commonly accepted.
Example: If you heat water to 100 degrees Celsius, it boils.
Expressing Promises or Threats: Conditional sentences Type I can be used to make promises or threats
about future actions or consequences.
Example: If you help me with this project, I will make sure you receive credit.
Expressing Offers or Invitations: Conditional sentences Type I are often used to make offers or
invitations to do something in the future.
Example: If you're free this weekend, I would love to go for a hike with you.
Exception0
1. Zero Conditional: Used to express general truths, facts, or scientific facts that are always true or universally
accepted. Both the condition (if-clause) and the result (main clause) are in the present simple tense
Example: If you heat ice, it melts.
2. Spontaneous Decision, Offer, or Suggestion: Using "if" with "will" in the main clause to express a
spontaneous decision, offer, or suggestion made at the moment of speaking.
Example: If you'll excuse me, I need to take this call.
3. Using "Unless": Using "unless" instead of "if" in the conditional clause to introduce a condition that needs to
be avoided for the desired result to take place.
Example: Unless you hurry, we will miss the train.
4. Using "Even If": Using "even if" in the conditional clause to emphasize that the result will still occur
regardless of whether the condition is met or not.
Example: Even if it rains, we will still go for a walk.
These exceptional cases highlight variations in the structure and usage of conditional sentence type I, providing
additional nuances and expressions beyond the typical conditional format.
Conditional sentence type II
The second conditional is used to express the consequence of an unrealistic action or situation in the present or
future. The situation can be:
Very improbable (1-5% probability)
Completely unrealistic (with a 0% probability)
For example,
If I won the lottery, I would travel around the world.
There is a very low probability (1% chance) that the first part of this sentence (winning the lottery’) will
happen. But if it happens, the second part is 100% certain.
If I had more free time, I would play more sport.
I don’t have a lot of free time (0%), but in that case, the second part is 100% certain.
Structure
If clause: If + past simple, would/wouldn’t + verb.
Main clause: Would + verb if + past simple.
As with all conditionals, you can also invert this structure:
I’d go out more often if I lived in a big city.
I wouldn’t need a car if I lived in a big city.
As an alternative to would, we can complete the second part of a second conditional sentence with could.
For example: If we lived in the city we could use the public transport.
An exception about the verb ‘to be’
When we use the verb ‘to be’ in the second conditional, the past form is always were and not was for the
subjects I, he, she and it. For example,
If I were rich, I’d spend all my time travelling.
If he were my boss, I’d look for another job.
If it weren’t so cold, we could go for a walk.
Polite requests
We also use the second conditional to make very polite requests.
For example: Would you mind if I used your computer?
Would it be ok if we sat here?
Conditional sentence type III
Conditional sentence type III, also known as the third conditional, is a grammatical structure used to talk about
hypothetical or unreal situations in the past and their imagined outcomes. It is used to express regrets,
hypothetical situations, or actions that did not happen in the past and their imagined consequences.
Structure:
Conditional sentence type III consists of two clauses: the "if-clause" and the "main clause."
1. If-Clause (Condition): The if-clause uses the past perfect tense (had + past participle) to indicate a condition
that did not happen in the past.
2. Main Clause (Result): The main clause uses the perfect conditional (would have + past participle) to
indicate the imagined outcome or consequence of the unreal condition in the past.
Example:
"If I had studied harder, I would have passed the exam."
- If-Clause: If I had studied harder (past perfect tense)
- Main Clause: I would have passed the exam (perfect conditional)
Function:
. Expressing Regrets: Conditional sentence type III is often used to express regrets about past actions or
decisions that did not happen, and their imagined consequences.
Example: If I had known about the meeting, I would have attended.
Imagining Unreal Past Situations: It is used to talk about hypothetical or unreal past situations and their
imagined outcomes.
Example: If she had won the lottery, she would have traveled the world.
Expressing Unfulfilled Conditions: It is used to express conditions in the past that were not fulfilled and
their imagined results.
Example: If he had arrived on time, he wouldn't have missed the bus.
Exception:
The main exception for conditional sentence type III is when the if-clause (condition) uses the past simple tense
instead of the past perfect tense. In this case, the main clause (result) also changes to the simple conditional
tense instead of the perfect conditional tense. This structure is often referred to as the "mixed conditional" or
"conditional sentence type II in the if-clause and type III in the main clause."
Example of Exception:
"If I knew his phone number, I would have called him."
If-Clause: If I knew his phone number (past simple tense)
Main Clause: I would have called him (perfect conditional)
Another exception for conditional sentence type III involves using "were" instead of "was" in the if-clause when
the subject is "I" or "he/she/it." This exception is commonly known as the "subjunctive mood" and is used to
express hypothetical or unreal situations.
Example:
"If I were you, I would have handled the situation differently."
In this sentence, "were" is used instead of "was" in the if-clause to express a hypothetical or unreal situation.
This exception is particularly common in formal or literary English and is considered grammatically correct in
this context.
Mixed Conditional Structure: Past Perfect in If-Clause, Simple Conditional in Main
Clause
Mixed conditional sentences allow speakers to express complex hypothetical situations by combining elements
of different conditional types.
Structure:
If-clause (Condition): Past perfect (had + past participle)
-Main clause (Result): Simple conditional (would + base form of the verb)
Function:
Expressing Unreal Past Situations with Hypothetical Results: This structure is used to discuss
hypothetical or unreal situations in the past and their imagined outcomes or consequences.
- Example: If I had studied harder, I would have passed the exam.
Mixed Conditional Structure: Past Simple in If-Clause, Simple Conditional in Main
Clause
Structure:
If-clause (Condition): Past simple (subject + V2)
Main clause (Result): Simple conditional (would + base form of the verb)
Function:
1. Describing Hypothetical Present or Future Situations with Unreal Past Conditions: This structure is used to
discuss hypothetical present or future situations with conditions related to unreal past events.
- Example: If I knew his phone number, I would call him.
Conclusion
Understanding conditional sentences is crucial for effective communication as they allow us to discuss
hypothetical situations, possibilities, and uncertainties. By mastering the different types of conditional sentences
and their structures, we can convey nuanced meanings and express potential outcomes with clarity. Whether
used in everyday conversations, academic writing, or professional settings, the ability to construct and interpret
conditional sentences enhances our language skills and enables us to engage in more sophisticated forms of
communication.
