Conditionals

Conditionals

1. What are conditionals in English grammar? Sometimes we call them 'if clauses'.

   • They describe the result of something that might happen (in the present or future) or might have happened but didn't (in the past) . They are made using different English verb tenses.
     • The Zero Conditional
       • We can make a zero conditional sentence with two present simple verbs (one in the 'if clause' and one in the 'main clause'
         • If + present simple, .... present simple.
           • This conditional is used when the result will always happen. So, if water reaches 100 degrees, it always boils. It's a fact. I'm talking in general, not about one particular situation. The result of the 'if clause' is always the main clause.
             • The 'if' in this conditional can usually be replaced by 'when' without changing the meaning.
               • Example
                 • If water reaches 100 degrees, it boils. (It is always true, there can't be a different result sometimes)
                   • I am sick. (This is true only for me, maybe, not for everyone, but it's still true that I'm sick every time I eat peanuts)
                     • Bibliography
                       • https://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/zero-conditional.html
     • The First Conditional
       • The first conditional has the present simple after
         • 'if', then the future simple in the other clause: if + present simple, ... will + infinitive
           • It's used to talk about things which might happen in the future. Of course, we can't know what will happen in the future, but this describes possible things, which could easily come true.
             • Example
               • If it rains, I won't go to the park.
                 • If I study today, I'll go to the party tonight
                   • First vs. Second Conditional:
                     • The first conditional describes things that I think are likely to happen in the future, whereas the second conditional talks about things that I don't think will really happen. It's subjective; it depends on my point of view.
                       • Bibliography
                         • https://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/first-conditional.html
     • The Second Conditional
       • The second conditional uses the past simple after if, then 'would' and the infinitive:
         • Structure
           • if + past simple, ...would + infinitive
             • (We can use 'were' instead of 'was' with 'I' and 'he/she/it'. This is mostly done in formal writing).
               • Is has two uses
                 • First, we can use it to talk about things in the future that are probably not going to be true. Maybe I'm imagining some dream for example.
                   • If I won the lottery, I would buy a big house.(I probably won't win the lottery)
                     • If I met the Queen of England, I would say hello.
                 • Second, we can use it to talk about something in the present which is impossible, because it's not true. Is that clear? Have a look at the examples:
                   • If I had his number, I would call him. (I don't have his number now, so it's impossible for me to call him).
                     • If I were you, I wouldn't go out with that man.
                 • How is this different from the first conditional?
                   • This kind of conditional sentence is different from the first conditional because this is a lot more unlikely.
                     • Bibliography
                       • https://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/second-conditional.html
     • The Third Conditional
       • We make the third conditional by using the past perfect after 'if' and then 'would have' and the past participle in the second part of the sentence:
         • Structure
           • if + past perfect, ...would + have + past participle
         • It talks about the past. It's used to describe a situation that didn't happen, and to imagine the result of this situation.
           • Example
             • If she had studied, she would have passed the exam (but, really we know she didn't study and so she didn't pass)
               • If I hadn't eaten so much, I wouldn't have felt sick (but I did eat a lot, and so I did feel sick).
           • Bibliography
             • https://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/third-conditional.html

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