What is Conditional Sentence?

Sukrisno Nino    Februari 10, 2020    Materi Kelas XI   

Conditional Sentence

Meaning: 

Look at these examples to see how zero, first and second conditionals are used.

Example: 

• If They freeze water, it becomes solid.
• If it rains tomorrow, I'll take the bus.
• If I lived closer to the Transmart, I would go more often

You have to understand that:

1. There are four types of conditional sentences.
2. It’s important to use the correct structure for each of these different conditional sentences because they express varying meanings.
3. Pay attention to verb tense when using different conditional modes.
4. Use a comma after the if-clause when the if-clause precedes the main clause.

Conditional sentences are statements discussing known factors or hypothetical situations and their consequences. Complete conditional sentences contain a conditional clause (often referred to as the if-clause) and the consequence. Consider the following sentences:

• If a certain condition is true, then a particular result happens.
• They would travel around the world if they won the quiz.
• When the water reaches 100 degrees, it boils.

Zero conditional

We use the zero conditional to talk about things that are generally true, especially since laws and rules in which one thing always causes another. When you use a zero conditional, you’re talking about a general truth rather than a specific instance of something.

• If I drink too much coffee, I can't sleep at night.
• Ice melts if you heat it.
• When the sun goes down, it gets dark.

Take a note when you use conditional sentence. First, when using the zero conditional, the correct tense to use in both clauses is the simple present tense. A common mistake is to use the simple future tense. Secondly, notice that the words if and when can be used interchangeably in these zero conditional sentences. This is because the outcome will always be the same, so it doesn’t matter “if” or “when” it happens.

Incorrect Conditional Sentence: When people smoke cigarettes, their health will suffer.'

The structure is: if/when + present simple >> present simple.

First conditional

We use the first conditional when we talk about future situations we believe are real or possible. 

• If it doesn't rain tomorrow, we'll go to the beach.
• Arsenal will be top of the league if they win.
• When I finish work, I'll call you.

In first conditional sentences, the structure is usually: 

if/when + present simple >> will + infinitive. 

Note that we use the simple present tense in the if-clause and simple future tense in the main clause—that is, the clause that expresses the likely outcome. This is how we indicate that under a certain condition (as expressed in the if-clause), a specific result will likely happen in the future.

• Incorrect: If you will rest , you will feel better.
• Correct: If you rest , you will feel better.

It is also common to use this structure with unless, as long as, as soon as or in case instead of if.

Example: 

• I'll leave as soon as the babysitter arrives.
• I don't want to stay in London unless I get a well-paid job.
• I'll give you a key in case I'm not at home.
• You can go to the party, as long as you're back by midnight.

Second conditional

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

• If we had a garden, we could have a cat.
• If I won a lot of money, I'd buy a big house in the country.
• I wouldn't worry if I were you.

Notice the correct way to structure second conditional sentences is to use the simple past tense in the if-clause and an auxiliary modal verb (e.g., could, should, would, might) in the main clause (the one that expresses the unrealistic or unlikely outcome). The following sentences illustrate a couple of the common mistakes people make when using the second conditional:

• Incorrect: If I inherit a billion dollars, I would travel to the moon.
• Correct: If I inherited a billion dollars, I would travel to the moon.

Explanation: When applying the second conditional, use the simple past tense in the if-clause.

The structure is usually: if + past simple >> + would + infinitive. 

When if is followed by the verb be, it is grammatically correct to say if I were, if he were, if she were and if it were. However, it is also common to hear these structures with was, especially in the he/she form.

• If I were you, I wouldn't mention it.
• If she was prime minister, she would invest more money in schools.
• He would travel more if he was younger.

Third Conditional 

Third conditional sentences are used to explain that present circumstances would be different if something different had happened in the past. Look at the following examples:

• If you had told me you needed a ride, I would have left earlier.
• If I had cleaned the house, I could have gone to the movies.

These sentences express a condition that was likely enough, but did not actually happen in the past. The speaker in the first sentence was capable of leaving early, but did not. Along these same lines, the speaker in the second sentence was capable of cleaning the house, but did not. These are all conditions that were likely, but regrettably did not happen.

Note that when using the third conditional, we use the past perfect (i.e., had + past participle) in the if-clause. The modal auxiliary (would, could, shoud, etc.) + have + past participle in the main clause expresses the theoretical situation that could have happened.

Consider these common mistakes when applying the third conditional:

• Incorrect: If you would have told me you needed a ride, I would have left earlier.
• Correct: If you had told me you needed a ride, I would have left earlier.

Explanation: With third conditional sentences, do not use a modal auxiliary verb in the if-clause.

• Incorrect: If I had cleaned the house, I could go to the movies.
• Correct: If I had cleaned the house, I could have gone to the movies.

Explanation: The third conditional mood expresses a situation that could have only happened in the past if a certain condition had been met. That’s why we use the modal auxiliary verb + have + the past pariticple

Exceptions and Special Cases When Using Conditional Sentences

As with most topics in the English language, conditional sentences often present special cases in which unique rules must be applied.

Use of the Simple Future in the If-Clause

Generally speaking, the simple future should be used only in the main clause. One exception is when the action in the if-clause will take place after the action in the main clause. For example, consider the following sentence:

If aspirin will ease my headache, I will take a couple tonight.

The action in the if-clause is the aspirin easing the headache, which will take place only after the speaker takes them later that night.

“Were to” in the If-Clause

The verb phrase were to is sometimes used in conditional sentences when the likely or unlikely result is particularly awful or unthinkable. In this case, were to is used to place emphasis on this potential outcome. Consider these sentences:

If I were to be sick, I would miss another day of work.

If she were to be late again, she would have to have a conference with the manager.

If the rent were to have been a penny more, they would not have been able to pay it.

Note that the emphatic “were to” can be used to describe hypothetical scenarios in the present, future, and the past.

Punctuating Conditional Sentences

Despite the complex nature of conditional sentences, punctuating them properly is really simple!

Here’s the skinny:

Use a comma after the if-clause when the if-clause precedes the main clause.

If I’d had time, I would have cleaned the house.

If the main clause precedes the if-clause, no punctuation is necessary.

I would have cleaned the house if I’d had time. Past participle.

Sources:

https://www.grammarly.com/blog/conditional-sentences/

ww.perfect-english-grammar.com

learnenglish.britishcouncil.org