What are Conditional Sentences and How to Perfectly Use Them in English?

Home » Grammar » What are Conditional Sentences and How to Perfectly Use Them in English?

Date: December 16, 2024

Sentences play a crucial role in any language. They help writers effectively communicate their points of view. However, sentences in the English language come in different shapes and forms. One of the most popular ones is the conditional type.

Conditional sentences, as the name indicates, involve using a condition. Therefore, they generally start with words like ‘if’ and ‘unless.’ These types of sentences help writers convey a wide range of possibilities and hypothetical scenarios in an easy-to-understand manner. So, mastering them is essential to become a better English writer. 

In this blog, you will learn everything about conditional sentences, from their basic introduction to types, how to correctly use them, and some real-life examples. So, let’s start it without wasting any time. 

Conditional Sentences — A Basic Introduction

A conditional sentence is a form of complex sentence that expresses a condition. They typically consist of two parts: a condition and a result. The condition portion usually starts with ‘if’ and ‘unless,’ whereas the resulting section describes the circumstance that might happen if the condition becomes true. 

Here is the most basic example of a conditional sentence:

If this condition happens, the resulting situation will become valid.

Different Types of Conditional Sentences

Conditional sentences generally have four types. Each kind has different rules and regulations. So, in order to fully master the concept of conditional phrases, it is essential to understand their types first. Here is a detailed explanation of each form, along with relevant examples:

1. Zero Conditional

The zero conditional is the most basic form of conditional sentence. It communicates general truths and facts. Therefore, it is useful for describing unchanging circumstances or general truths. It typically consists of two clauses, where the first portion states the condition, and the second section specifies the result. 

Here are some examples that clarify the concept of zero-conditional sentences:

If it rains, the grass becomes moist.

If you run, you move quickly.

As you can see, this type of conditional sentence states general facts and truths. It follows this structure: if + simple present tense, simple present tense.

2. First Conditional

The first conditional type is one step ahead of the zero-conditional form. It generally comes in handy for describing those events or situations that are most likely to happen. However, unlike zero-conditional, the first and second clauses are in the present and future tenses, respectively. These are a few examples that will clarify the concept of the first conditional sentence in a bit more detail:

If I take this class, I will be able to understand the material better.

If I don’t study, I will get an ‘F’ grade.

As you can see, both sentences above represent real and possible situations by following the ‘if + present tense, will + infinitive’ structure.

3. Second Conditional

The second conditional sentence is the exact opposite of the first conditional type. So, it helps express unreal or improbable situations from the present or future. Here is the pattern this type generally follows:

If + simple past tense, would + first form of the verb

By taking inspiration from this structure, here are two examples that best describe the second conditional sentences:

If I had more time and money, I would build a better custom PC.

If someone offered me a million pounds, I would immediately accept it.

4. Third Conditional

The third conditional is the most complex form of conditional statement. As a matter of fact, most individuals search for alternatives to conditional phrases because of this type. But don’t worry because we’ll attempt to make things simpler here. So, in a nutshell, the third conditional statement becomes relevant when discussing past hypothetical circumstances. It follows the below-specified structure:

If + past perfect, would have + past participle.

Based on this structure, here are the best-describing examples of third conditional sentences:

If you had known I was coming, you would have taken me from the airport.

If I had studied harder, I would have easily gotten an A.

Tips for Using Conditional Sentences Perfectly

So far, you have understood the basic form of conditional sentences and their common types. Let’s understand how you correctly use each form of the conditional phrase by following the tips below.

1. Analyze the Condition-to-be-Expressed

You can only use conditional sentences correctly if you know the condition well you want to express. So, analyze the context of your text and determine what kind of condition will be applicable here. The following list describes the most commonly used condition natures with conditional sentences:

• Fact and general truth.
• Improbable or unreal situation.
• Past hypotheticals.
• Real possibility.

2. Select the Appropriate Type

After successfully identifying the nature of the condition, choose the applicable conditional sentence type. Here is a table that describes which conditional sentence will be suitable with the condition types mentioned above:

Nature of Condition

1. Fact and general truth
2. Real possibility
3. Improbable or unreal situation
4. Past hypotheticals

Applicable Type of Conditional Sentence

1. Zero conditional
2. First conditional
3. Second conditional
4. Third conditional

3. Follow the Pre-Defined Structure

After confirming the nature of the condition and type of conditional sentences, it’s time to write them. So, follow the structure we have already discussed in the above-specified types of conditional sentences.

4. Don’t Forget to Review and Revise

After implementing all these four suggestions, you need to perform one final check. And that is to proofread the written material one last time. You can manually read it or use your word processing software’s ‘Read Aloud’ feature. This way, you can discover all your content’s hidden mistakes and make it more readable and clear.

Final Verdict:

To sum up, a conditional sentence generally involves a condition. These sentences typically begin with words like if and unless and have two portions. One represents the condition, whereas the other represents the result. But everything is not so straightforward with them, as they occur in different shapes and forms. So, understand each type’s structure before using these sentences. Additionally, identify the nature of the condition first to accurately use these sentences.