Clauses and Conditionals

What is a ‘conditional sentence’? A sentence discussing factual implications or hypothetical situations and their consequences. Full conditional sentences contain two clauses: the condition and the result. Eg.) If I go to the mall (condition), I will buy a pair of jeans (result).

Conditional Sentence The ‘result’ is the main clause and the ‘condition’ is a subordinate (dependant) clause. The properties of the conditional clause (tense, degree of probability) determine the properties of the entire sentence. Conditional clauses usually begin with “if” or “unless” – If you study, you will pass the exam. – You won’t pass the exam unless you study.

Three types of “IF” clauses in conditional sentences: Type 1: if + Simple Present, will-future – Expresses something that is likely to happen Type 2: if + Simple Past, would +infinitive – Expresses something that is not likely to happen Type 3: if + Past Perfect – Expresses something that is impossible.

Type 1: if + Simple Present, will-future Type 1 expresses something that is likely to happen. Eg. If I catch the bus, I will get to school on time. The main clause can also be at the beginning of the sentence: Eg. I will get to school on time if I catch the bus.

Type 1: if + Simple Present, will-future Conditional sentences Type 1 refer to the future. An action in the future will only happen if a certain condition is met. We don’t know for sure whether or not the condition will be fulfilled, but the condition is realistic and therefore likely to happen. It is likely that I will catch the bus and get to school on time.

Type 2: if + Simple Past, would + infinitive Type 2 expresses something that is unlikely to happen. Eg. If I had the time, I would go to the show. The main clause can also be at the beginning of the sentence: Eg. I would go to the show if I had the time. We usually use “were” instead of “was” in Type 2.

Type 2: if + Simple Past, would + infinitive An action could happen if the present situation were different. We don’t really expect the situation to change – we just imagine ‘what would happen if…’ It is unlikely that I will find the time to go to the show.

Type 3: if + Past Perfect Type 3 expresses something that is impossible. Eg. If I had finished my homework, I would have gone to the party. The main clause can also be at the beginning of the sentence: Eg. I would have gone to the party if I had finished my homework.

Type 3: if + Past Perfect Type 3 conditional sentences refer to situations in the past. An action could have happened in the past if a certain condition had been fulfilled. We just imagine what would have happened if the condition had been met. I wanted to go to the party but I wasn’t able to go to the party because I hadn’t finished my homework.

Type “0” The “0” conditional is formed with both clauses in the present tense. It is used to express a certainty, a universal statement, a law of science, etc. Eg. If you heat water to 100 degrees celsius, it boils. If you don’t eat for a long time, you become hungry. If the sea is stormy, the waves are high. The “0” conditional is different from true conditionals because the introductory ‘if’ can be replaced by ‘when’ or ‘whenever’.

Reference Conditional Sentences / If-Clauses Type I, II und III. (n.d.) Retrieved March 4, 2009, from up/grammar/conditional-sentences up/grammar/conditional-sentences