Do you understand Conditionals in English?

6 years ago
 
Defining Conditionals
Conditionals are sentence structures that explain a particular situation or circumstance and its consequences. If this happens, then that happens. Conditionals are commonly referred to as "if sentence structures" because they often contain the word "if."
There are four main conditionals that are commonly used in the English language: first conditional, second conditional, third conditional and zero conditional.
First Conditional: Daily Considerations
The first conditional deals with issues that have a real possibility of occurring. This conditional typically deals with future, real world events that are pondered on a daily basis. When people make plans and suggest back up plans, they are utilizing the first conditional.
The first conditional uses the if/then structure and the words will, shall, can or may to convey the future action being considered. The following sentences are examples of the first conditional:
If I can get the time off of work, then I will come visit you in Baton Rouge.
If we burn the dinner, we may have to order pizza.
I can work from home, if my Internet connection gets fixed.
If it rains tomorrow, I shall go to the movies.
Second Conditional: Not Real Possibilities
The second conditional is a bit more tricky. In some ways it is similar to the first conditional. It utilizes the same if/then structure, but instead of using the words will, shall, can, or may, the second conditional uses would, could, or might. The most significant difference between the second conditional and the first conditional, however, is that the second conditional deals with events that are not real possibilities. In many cases, the events could happen; they are not physical impossibilities. However, they are not tangible events that are certain to impact daily life.
In many respects, the second conditional is what English speakers use when they are dreaming about something or fantasizing about a particular scenario. See the following sentences for examples of the second conditional:
If I had a million dollars, I might open an animal sanctuary.
If we lived in Spain, we would enjoy the siestas.
If I became president, I could do away with the penny.
Third Conditional: In the Past
While the first two conditionals talk about possible future events, the third conditional deals with the past. Specifically, the third conditional talks about events in the past and ponders the effects of those events not happening.
Because we can't go back in time, the third conditional deals with events that have no possibility of happening. The third conditional uses the words would have to convey these impossible events. The following are examples:
If Bobby Kennedy hadn't been assassinated, he would have made a great president.
If I had bet on the long shot, I would have made a killing.
If I had married her when I had the chance, I would have been happy.
Zero Conditional: Always True
The zero conditional deals with issues that are always true. They can often be thought of as stating a scientific fact. The following are examples:
If you don't ever water your plants, they die.
If you jump in a lake, you get wet.
If it gets below freezing, water turns into ice.
If you stick your hand in a fire, it burns.
I hope that helps! If you have any other questions or concerns, please send me a message or schedule a trial lesson to discuss this very important topic more! 