Conditional Statement

Question

Hi guys,I have always problem with conditional statement. I learned it through practice, but I have no reason to use the proper tenses.eg I don't know why in conditional type zero, why we use both present. Type I, present(if-clause) and future. Type II, past simple (if-clause) and would-could-might+infinitive. Type III, past perfect (if-clause) and would have+past participle.Now it's getting harder when they are combined with each other. And when if replace with phrases like "in case of", "as long as", "provided", and...I'm not asking to explain all of them, and if you do that is very very appreciate, but help me to know a comprehensive reference to study that, preferably online. I just want to have no problem at all.Would you please help me?Thanks

Smiles A Lot · Accepted Answer

I forget one thing! Omitting if! like:

Had I known... (instead of If I had known...)
Were you my daughter,... (instead of: If you were my daughter,...)
Should you need my advice,... (instead of: If you should need my advice,...)

Daylighttt · Answer

Zero type is used for some facts which are accepted by everybody.
Think about simple present tense. There is the same thing in this tense.
If you heat butter, it melts.

Had I known... (instead of If I had known...)
.......
You are just making an inversion with this structure.

Smiles A Lot · Answer

Thank you, but the problem is that I don't know the logic behind each type, and when they used in mixed conditional, no clue!

I know all types by practice, but I wanted to learn them the way I never forget.
I wondered if anybody have a good resource, recommended YouTube video or something.

KJinCali79 · Answer

Below is a link explaining the four types. Not sure if this helps.
http://www.englishtenses.com/conditional_sentences

Smiles A Lot · Answer

Thank you KJin.

I want to know how a native think when he/she is using conditional. If it is only practice, fine, I'm doing it. But if you see a relation between real and unreal conditional with verb tenses, I mean meaningful relation, I would appreciate it if you could explain them.

eg When my father come, my mom kiss him.
or When it is winter,(or in winter) I stay at home, rather than going outside.
Why present simple?

or If he were a doctor, he would work in a high-class clinic.
If I worked in a hospital, I would be able to find a way to make the process faster.
Why "were", of course I know it is possible to use was in informal speech.

or
If I were going to California next week, I would meet you Kyle.
That is future unreal conditional, why past tense?

If I were working in the government, my work would be way easier.
Why again past for present conditional.

You know, I like to learn how those tenses can be understood as a verb describing an unreal situation. That is what I'm working on, not just remembering them.

Thank again.

Conditional Statement

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