Conditional sentences have two clauses: an if-clause and a main clause. There are three main types of conditional sentences. Simple present conditional sentences refer to possible present or future events. Simple past conditionals refer to hypothetical or unlikely past events. Past perfect conditionals refer to imaginary or unfulfilled past conditions. The document also discusses replacing "if", omitting "if", the differences between "if" and "when", and "in case" vs. "if".

2. CONDITIONAL
SENTENCES

3. PREPARED BY
Hemalatha. T
Sarumathi. G
Sindhu priya. S
1st – year,
Ece-’b’.

5. Conditional sentences
structure :
• A conditional sentence is composed of
two parts :
If-clause + main clause
(When the If Clause goes first, it is followed by a
comma, but you can also put the Main Clause
first without using a comma between the
clauses.)

6. The if-clause can be at
the beginning or at the
middle of the sentence.

7. Example:
If it rains tomorrow, we will not come.
Main clause
If-clause or
Sub-ordinate
clause

8. TYPES
1. Simple Present
( open/ probable condition)
2. Simple Past
(hypothetical/ improbable)
3. Past Perfect
(imaginary/ unfulfilled
condition)

9. OPEN / PROBABLE CONDITION.
USE :
- It is possible to fulfil a condition which
is given in the if- clause.
TYPE ONE

11. Example

12. UNLESS is the opposite of “If”:
If she doesn’t call soon, I’ll be angry =
Unless she calls soon, I’ll be angry.
He will be late if he doesn’t hurry up =
He will be late unless he hurries up

13. TYPE TWO
Often called the "unreal" conditional
because it is used for unreal -
impossible or improbable - situations.
This conditional provides an imaginary
result for a given situation.
If + Past simple = would/could/might + verb

14. Example
.
If - clause Main clause
If I studied, I would pass the
exams.
If he were more
intelligent,
He might get a better
job.

15. if I were you - if I was you –
which is correct?
- The word were in the phrase if I were
you is special form. It is known as the subjunctive
mood (from the grammatical point of view).
- Today you also find the phrase if I was
you. Here the Simple Past form of be is used. But
there are people who say that this phrase is
incorrect and would never use it (mainly
Americans). Others say that this phrase can be
used.

16. If I were you I would
phone him. - subjunctive
mood
If I was you I would phone
him. - Simple Past

17. Third conditional (imaginary/
unfulfilled condition)
Nature: unreal
Time: Past (so we are talking about a
situation that was not so in the past.)
TYPE THREE

19. Example
 If you had been here,
 If he had tried, He would have
found a new job.

20. Mixed Conditionals
-Unreal conditionals (type II + III) sometimes
can be mixed, that is, the time of the if clause is
different from the one of the main clause.
Past --> Present
 If I had taken an aspirin, I wouldn't have a headache
now.
Past --> Future
 If I had known that you are going to come by tomorrow, I
would be in then.

21. Present --> Past
If she had enough money, she could have done this
trip to Hawaii.

Present --> Future
If I were you, I would be spending my vacation
in Seattle.
Future --> Past
If I weren't flying to Detroit, I would have planned a
trip toVancouver.
Future --> Present
 If I were taking this exam next week, I would be high-strung.

22. Replacing if :
If can be replaced by words or
expressions with a similar meaning.
The most common are:
-as long as
-On condition (that)
-unless
-With the condition (that)
- On the assumption(that)

23. Omitting if
 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,...)

24. if vs. when
if and when are interchangeable when
the statement of the conditional clause is
a fact or a general issue (also known as
zero conditonal)
Example:
if is used for something that, according to the
speaker, might happen.
when is used for something that, according to
the speaker, will happen.

25. in case vs. if
 in case of can be used to shorten an if-clause as shown below:
 If there is a fire, leave the room.
 In case of fire, leave the room.
 While if expresses a condition (1), in case is used to express a
possibility (2).
 (1)
 I need painkillers if I'm in severe pain.
 (2)
 I need painkillers in case I'm in severe pain.
 The expression just in case is used pretty much the same way.
 I got you a pizza just in case you were hungry.
(I don't know whether you are hungry.)

26. would in if-clauses
 In polite requests would is possible in if-
clauses.
 It would be nice if you would help me in
the kitchen.
(Are you ready to help me in the kitchen?)