English 9

Conditionals

Conditional sentences have two parts or clauses that give a condition in the dependent clause
and a result or main clause in the dependent clause. The conditional clause usually contains an if-
statement. Conditional sentences express a result of a specific condition. Remember the short but
two important words: if or when.

Example: If it rains, we will stay indoors.

Conditionals are extremely important in the English language because they help us express
things that may happen in the present or future. They are sentences that expresses factual
implication or hypothetical situations.

Factual implications
-based on facts that support a statement that makes an argument strong.

Example:
If I take coffee tonight, I don’t sleep.

Hypothetical situations
-based on guess or possible outcome of a condition.

Example:
If you study, then you’ll pass.

Conditional Sentences
They are called conditional sentences because the validity of the main clause of the sentence
is conditional on the existence of certain circumstance expressed in the dependent clause.

Main Clause and Dependent Clause

 Main Clause (Independent/Result Clause)-has a subject and a verb that can

stand alone.
-has a complete thought
 If/when Clause (Dependent Clause)-has a subject and a verb that cannot stand
stand alone
-doesn’t have a complete thought

What makes up a conditional sentence?

 Conditionals consist of the if or when clause and the main clause.

 The if or when clause present the condition while the main clause expresses the results
of the action.

Four Types of Conditionals

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

Zero Conditional

 called factual conditional because it is used to express truths, facts; the things that are real,
happening and existing around us.
 Generally true in the present or in the past, particularly laws and rules, or to gove instructions if
a condition is met.
 It uses an if-clause and a result clause that is going to happen.
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Examples:
If you heat water above 100 degrees Celsius, it boils.
If the sun sets, it gets dark.
If you freeze water, it will turn into ice.

In zero conditionals, we follow this structure:

If/when + present participle form of the verb

 Use “if” when there is a chance that the action may or may not happen.
Example:
If the power goes out, you can’t use the wifi.
If I drink coffee, I feel awake.
Plants die if they are not watered.
 Use “when” when you are sure that the action will take place.
Example:
When you eat spicy food, you will feel a burning sensation in your mouth.
When I feel sad, I sing a song.
 Expressing habits
 Giving instructions
 Expressing rules
Expressing habits

Examples:
When I feel sad, I read a book.
When my friends are online, I say hello to them.

Giving Instructions

Examples:
If my classmate calls, tell her to call me at 3:00 pm.
If you need someone to talk to, call me.

Expressing Rules

Examples:
You can enter the school, if you wear a complete uniform.
Students can borrow a book if they present a library card.

Take note:
Conditionals can be used in expressing a stand or argument. Expressing argument is helpful in
presenting one’s reasoning to change another person’s point of view on a particular topic or issue.

First Conditional

Prediction-is a statement about a future event. Although future events are necessarily uncertain, so
guaranteed accurate information about the future is impossible.

 First conditional is a possible conditional.

 Used in dealing with things that are possibly or likely to happen in the future. It may or may not
happen in the future.
 Unless, as long as, as soon as, in case can be used in place of if/when

In first conditional, we follow this structure:

If/when + present participle form of the verb (DC)

will + base form of the verb (MC/RC/IC)

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Take note:
First conditionals can be used to express possible plans, promises, advices, warnings, threats or
persuasion.

 You can use some modals in the first conditional sentences. Will is used in the main clause of
the first conditional sentence, however you can use the modal verbs may, might or could when
something is a possible result and not a certain one in the future.
Examples:
If you are nice to me, I may buy you a gift when I’m in Boracay.
If they train a little harder, they might win the match.
If he doesn’t do his work, he could get fired.

Second Conditional
 Used in dealing with things that are impossible in the present and that are unlikely to occur in
the future.
 It is also used in expressing imaginary situations in the present or future. We use it to talk
about things in the future that are probably not going to be true.

Examples:
If I had enough money, I would buy a sports car.
If only he charged his phone, he wouldn’t need to borrow yours.

In second conditional, we use this structure:

If/when + past simple for of the verb (DC)

would + base form of the verb (MC)

More examples:
If I didn’t read my notes, I wouldn’t get good scores.
If I met Kathryn Bernardo, I would shake her hand.
If I had enough money, I would buy a house with twenty bedrooms and a
swimming pool.

We also use second conditional to talk about something in the present which is impossible but
because it’s not true.

Example:
If I had his number, I would call him.

Second conditional can be used:

 To ask hypothetical questions.

Examples:
If you had the chance to meet your favorite K-pop idol, would you ask for a
picture together?
What would you do if you were a senator?
If you only had one friend, who would it be?

 To give advices
Examples:
If I were you, I’d practice my reading skills.
If I were her, I would talk to her politely.

 When saying “no” or to soften your response as “no”

Example:
Joe: “Hey bro, we’re going to have a party at my place! Do
you want to join us?”
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 Ram: “No.” (rude sentence)

Joe: “Hey bro, we’re going to have a party at my place! Do

you want to join us?”
Ram: “If I weren’t busy with my homework, I would come to
the party, but I am really busy, so I can’t bro.”

Third Conditional
 Deals with changes in a past scenario that wild have led to a positive result.
 About an unreal past, a past that did not happen.

Example:
If I had written my essay earlier, I would have submitted it on time.

We use this structure in the third conditional:

If/when + past perfect tense (DC)

would have/could have + past participle form of the verb (MC)

Examples:
If she had performed it, Elena would have stayed in her post.
If she has called me, I would have come.
If only I had told her the truth, she would’ve have left.

Third conditionals can also be used to express regrets, describing things that happened or
didn’t happen that we are sorry for.

Examples:
If my alarm had gone off, I wouldn’t have been late for work.
If there hadn’t been so much traffic, we wouldn’t have missed our flight.

What is the importance of conditionals in argumentation?

Conditionals can be used in expressing:

 A stand or argument

Conditionals may be helpful in:

 Persuading other to move or act
 Change their thoughts

TYPES IF/WHEN CLAUSE MAIN CLAUSE

ZERO CONDITIONAL PRESENT SIMPLE PERSENT SIMPLE

WILL + BASE FORM OF THE

FIRST CONDITIONAL PRESENT SIMPLE VERB
(future tense)

WOULD + BASE FORM OF

SECOND CONDITIONAL SIMPLE PAST
THE VERB

PAST PERFECT TENSE WOULD HAVE/COULD HAVE +

THIRD CONDITIONAL (had + past participle form of the PAST PARTICIPLE FORM OF
verb) THE VERB

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