When should you use conditional sentences?
Using conditionals is a natural part of conversation for native speakers. Often, native speakers don’t even realize they are using conditionals!
Conditional sentences suggest that there are consequences for every action. Conditional sentences consist of a condition (the ‘if’ clause) and a result. Students are often confused about which conditional to use as we use different conditionals for different situations. Conditionals can be difficult to implement as we are required to utilize all the verb tenses.
Don’t forget to download your free Conditionals Cheat Sheet at the bottom of the blog!
The usage part
So, how and when do we use conditionals?
We use the zero conditional for the present simple, to talk about facts and general truths.
If this thing happens, this other thing happens.
We use the first conditional to talk about possible future events.
If this happens, this will happen.
We use the second conditional to talk about unreal or imaginary present or future situations.
If this happened, this other thing would happen.
We use the third conditional to talk about unreal or imaginary past situations.
If this thing had happened, this other thing would have happened.
The grammar part
Let’s take a look at the structure of the conditionals in more detail:
Zero conditional
When/If + present simple + present simple
Examples:
If the power goes out, I can’t play video games.
If you study grammar, it gets easier.
When I sleep for eight hours, I feel rested.
First conditional
If + present simple + future simple
Examples:
If it storms tomorrow, our flight might be cancelled.
I will have more energy if I drink this coffee.
Second conditional
If + past simple + would + verb
Examples:
If I had extra money, I would buy another house.
If I knew the answer, I would tell you.
If I didn’t have to work this afternoon, I would come with you to the beach.
Third conditional
If + past perfect, would + have + past participle
Examples:
If I had known about the meeting, I would have been present.
If I had left earlier, I wouldn’t have missed my flight.
Mixed conditionals
The ‘mixed conditional’ is formed by combining two different conditionals.
We can mix elements of the second and third conditional to talk about an imaginary past situation and its imaginary result in the present.
If + past perfect, + would + verb
Example: We would be on a plane right now if we hadn’t overslept!
We can also use the mixed conditional to imagine how things could have been different in the past if other general truths were true.
If + simple past, + would + have + past participle
Example: If Jason were more hardworking, he wouldn’t have lost his job.
Activity
Practise using the different conditional structures by writing down your answers to the following questions:
- What do you do if you don’t understand the grammar?
- What will you do this weekend if it’s sunny? What will you do if it rains?
- What happens if you don’t drink enough water?
- What do you do when you have time off from work?
- If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you like to live and why?
- If you had been born in a different country, how would your childhood have been different?
- If you had chosen a different career, how would your life be different today?
Study conditionals in more detail
The Conditionals course, as with all the courses in Intrepid English Academy, recognizes students’ challenges. The Conditionals course essentially aims to help students confidently express themselves, by providing a range of practice activities and regular quizzes. There is an emphasis on real-world examples as we want students to feel comfortable using English and comfortably integrate it within their own context. After this course, you will be able to express yourself utilizing the conditionals freely and confidently.
The course allows you to adapt the content to your own environment. You can study at a time and place that suits you, and review your learning in live lessons with an Intrepid English Teacher, or by sharing with fellow students in the Intrepid English Community.
For more information about our courses and membership options, check out the Memberships page, or send us an email.