Conditional Sentences In English (Real and Unreal Conditionals – If Clauses)

Understanding conditional sentences is crucial for effective communication in English. This guide will explore the intricacies of four types of conditional sentences: Type 0, Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3. By the end, you’ll have a solid grasp of when and how to use each type.

Conditional Sentences In English

What are Conditional Sentences

Conditional sentences are structures in English that express a relationship between a condition and its potential consequence. They are used to discuss hypothetical or real situations, and the outcome depends on whether the stated condition is met.

1. Situation Always True (Scientific Fact): If you mix blue and yellow, you get green.
2. Hypothetical Situation in the Past: If she had studied harder, she would have passed the exam.
3. Real Condition: If it rains, we will stay indoors.
4. Hypothetical Situation: If I were rich, I would buy a yacht.

These sentences often consist of an “if” clause (the condition) and a main clause (the consequence), and they come in various types, each serving a specific purpose in conveying different levels of possibility or certainty.

Conditional Sentence Type 0: General Truths and Scientific Facts

Conditional type zero is used to discuss general truths, scientific facts, or situations that consistently occur under certain conditions.

Form

The structure is as follows:

Usage

• If you cross an international dateline, the time changes.
• Phosphorus burns if exposed to air.
• When I wake up early, I go jogging.

Note: “When” can be used instead of “if.”

Conditional Sentence Type 1: Real and Possible Situations

Referred to as the “real” conditional, Type 1 is used for situations that are real or possible. These events occur if a specific condition is met.

Form

The structure is as follows:

Usage

• If I have enough time, I’ll watch a football match.

This implies that there’s a possibility I may have time to watch the match, but it’s uncertain.

Conditional Sentence Type 2: Unreal and Improbable Situations

Known as the “unreal” conditional, Type 2 is used for situations that are impossible or improbable. This type provides an imaginary result for a given situation, and it’s very unlikely that the condition will be fulfilled.

Form

The structure is as follows:

Usage

• If I were a millionaire, I would buy a castle.
• If I had a lot of money, I would travel around the world.

Conditional Sentence Type 3: Hypothetical Results to Past Situations

Type 3 deals with situations in the past. It expresses hypothetical results based on given past situations.

Form

The structure is as follows:

Form: If + Past Perfect, + Would + Have + Past Participle

Usage

• If he had been careful, he wouldn’t have had that terrible accident.

This implies that in the past, due to his carelessness, he had a terrible accident.

Real vs. Unreal Conditionals: Understanding the Difference

1. Real Conditionals:
   • Definition: Real conditionals depict situations that are either factual or have a high probability of occurring.
   • Structure: In real conditionals, the “if” clause presents a condition in the present, and the main clause outlines the likely consequence in the future.
   • Example: “If it rains, we will stay at home.” Here, the condition (rain) is realistic, and the consequence (staying at home) is a probable outcome.
2. Unreal Conditionals:
   • Definition: Unreal conditionals describe situations that are hypothetical, imaginary, or unlikely to happen.
   • Structure: In unreal conditionals, the “if” clause presents a condition that is contrary to reality, often in the past tense, and the main clause outlines a hypothetical or unreal consequence (would + verb.)
   • Example: “If I were a bird, I would fly to exotic places.” In this case, the condition (being a bird) is unreal, and the consequence (flying to exotic places) is an imaginary result.

• Certainty: Real conditionals express situations with a degree of certainty or high probability. Unreal conditionals, on the other hand, deal with hypothetical or unlikely scenarios.
• Tense Usage: Real conditionals predominantly use present or future tenses in the “if” clause, while unreal conditionals often involve past tenses, emphasizing the unreal or hypothetical nature of the condition.
• Likelihood of Fulfillment: Real conditionals suggest conditions that are likely to be fulfilled, whereas unreal conditionals present conditions that are improbable or impossible.

12 More Examples Of Conditional Sentences

1. If you heat ice, it melts.
2. If the sun sets, it gets dark.
3. When you mix red and blue, you get purple.

1. If it rains, we will stay at home.
2. If she studies hard, she will pass the exam.
3. When the bus arrives, we’ll leave for the party.

1. If I were a bird, I would fly to exotic places.
2. If I had a magic wand, I would make all your dreams come true.
3. When pigs fly, I’ll believe that story.

1. If they had invited me, I would have attended the event.
2. If he had saved money, he wouldn’t be in debt now.
3. When she had finished her presentation, everyone applauded.

Summary

More about real and unreal conditionals here.

Things to Remember:

1. The main clause can be at the beginning of the sentence without a comma.
   • “Phosphorus burns if exposed to air.”
2. Main and/or if clauses might be negative.
   • “If I don’t see him this afternoon, I will phone him in the evening.”
   • “If he had been careful, he wouldn’t have had an accident.”

• Conditionals
• If or Unless
• Conditional sentences type 1 exercise
• Conditional sentences type 2 exercise
• Conditional sentences type 3 exercise
• Conditional sentences type (Mixed)
• Conditional sentences (Mixed)
• Listen to “if you were a sailboat” by Katie Melua.