Conditional Sentences

Conditional Sentences

Also known as (aka.) conditional clauses or "If clauses" are used in English meaning that the action in the main clause (without if ) can only occur if a certain condition (in the clause with if) is fulfilled. There are many types of conditional sentences and we will review them here.

Las oraciones condicionales son usadas en inglés para expresar que el significado de la oración principal (sin el si/if) puede sólo ocurrir si una cierta condición (en la oración con if/si) se realiza. Hay muchos tipos de condicionales y las revisaremos aquí.

0-Zero Conditionals: Present tense clause + Present tense clause.

This is used to state a condition that will always happen because it is always true.

If she eats a lot of fried food, she always feels sick afterwards.

1^st-First Conditionals:  Present tense clause + Future tense clause.

This is used to state something that is probable to occur.

If you drive too fast, you will have an accident.

If I take up karate lessons, we shall defend myself against attackers.

2^nd-Second Conditionals: Past tense clause, would + Verb in the Infinitive form.

This is used to state a less probable situation or hypothetical circumstance.

If we found the treasure, we would donate it to the museum.

I would join the club, if I had the time.

3^rd Conditionals: Past Perfect tense, would have + Past Participle verb clause.

This conditional sentences are used to express a hypothetical situation in the past.

If we had not walked so slowly, we would have arrived on time to the film premiere.

If we had written an appreciation letter to the academy, we would have received free entry tickets.

Mixed Conditionals: Past Perfect + would tense

                                    Past Simple + would have tense

                                   Past + Future tense clause

These are situations that are possible or hypothetical in the past, present or future (when the time reference in the conditional clause is different from that in the main clause).

If he had looked after his daughter better, he would not feel so sad now.

If you were an animal, you would not have put up with that cage for a long time.

If you studied a lot, you will pass your exam.

 Conditionals with Modal auxiliary verbs: Present, past or past perfect + should, could, can, may, might (have)   

     These are possible situations and we use a modal to advice or suggest a probability.

If you have a toothache, you should visit the dentist.

If she feels ill, she may see the doctor.

If they come late, they might be stuck in a traffic jam.

If you do not drive, you can/could take driving lessons.

We can also use other conjuncts to express a condition in a conditional phrase with unless (but not if or only if), on condition that, provided, providing, as long as, so long as, even if, but for, supposing, suppose, otherwise, or else, in case, lest.

I will drive as long as/on condition that/ provided that you do the ironing tonight.

Even if you pass the exam, you should work hard to get their approval.

Supposing you win the elections, would you do the necessary reforms?

She would be better study it, otherwise she will not succeed in her dream.

In the following websites you can practise all types of Conditional sentences and check the correction  afterwards:

https://agendaweb.org/verbs/conditional-mixed-exercises.html

http://www.myenglishpages.com/site_php_files/grammar-exercise-conditionals.php

https://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises_list/if.htm

https://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/tests/conditional-sentences-3