CONDITIONAL SENTENCE

A conditional sentence is one that expresses something that must be true or happen before something else can be true or happen.. A conditional sentence is made up of an If-Clause (condition), and the main clause (result). Example: If it rains, the match will be canceled.

There are four basic types of conditional sentences, namely: actual conditional (called the zero conditional), likely conditional (called the first conditional), unlikely conditional (called the second conditional), and impossible conditional (called the third conditional).

1. Actual Conditional: This type is called the zero conditional sentences and it expresses what actually happens. It is used to state general truths, facts, or habits. Examples:

A. When a cub of sugar is put in water, it dissolves.

B. If it rains, the streets get wet.

2. Likely Conditional: This type is called the first conditional, and it expresses a likely future event or what could happen. Examples:

A. If it rains, I’ll not go to school.

B. If I meet him, I’ll give him the letter

3. Unlikely Conditional: This type is called the second conditional, and it expresses an unlikely event in the future. Examples:

A. If it rained, the streets would

get wet.

B. If I met him, I would give him the letter.

4. Impossible Conditional: This type is called the third conditional, and it expresses an impossible situation. It’s called an impossible situation because it never happened. Examples:

A. If It had rained, the streets would have been wet.

B. If I had met him, I would have given him the letter.

For a more detailed and audio-visual explanation of conditional sentences, watch the following video lecture: