Conditionals


What is a conditional sentence?

A conditional sentence consists of two parts:

The main clause and the conditional clause.

Conditionals can be thought of in terms of logic.

If the conditional clause is true, the main clause is true.

If children eat too much cake, they get fat.

Conditional clause “if children eat too much fat”

Main clause “they get fat”

Negative:

If children don’t eat too much cake, they don’t get fat.

Clause reversal

Children get fat, if they eat too much cake.


Zero Conditional

The zero conditional is made using two verbs in the present simple.

If + present simple, …. present simple.

Usage:

The zero conditional is used for certainties. W

Examples:

If water cools to 0 degrees, it freezes
If you study, you learn
If he eats too much cake, he gets fat.
Water boils, if it’s heated to 100c.
The dog chews the furniture, if he is bored.
The dog doesn’t chew the furniture, if he isn’t bored.

Exercise:

1. if

First Conditional

if + present simple, … will + infinitive

Second Conditional

if + past simple, …would + infinitive

Third Conditional

if + past perfect, …would + have + past participle