Conditionals

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Conditionals

Conditionals are used to speculate about what might happen, what may have happened, and what we would like to happen. In English, most sentences that use conditional tense contain the term "if". Many of the conditional constructions of English are used in sentences that include verbs in the past. This use is called "the unreal past" because we use a past verb tense but we are not referring to something that has actually happened. There are five main ways to construct conditional sentences in English. In all cases, they consist of a proposition or clause with "if" and a main proposition. In many negative conditional sentences there is an equivalent alternative construction that uses "unless" instead of "if".

Conditional Zero

With the name of zero conditional the structure is recognized that raises a possibility of which the same consequence is always recognized. That is to say, to the sentence that affirms a truthful and effective fact, but instead of presenting it as a generality, it poses it as a condition of a single resolution.

Usually this type of conditional is used in a context of dialogical communication and as an exemplary resource since, as said, it can always be replaced by a generalization that includes the case of which one is speaking and also to many others.

It gives a practical shade to a sentence that raises something that will be repeated in any case.

The "zero conditional" is used when the time referred to is now or always and the situation is real and possible. This type of conditional is usually used to talk about general facts. The verb tense of both propositions is the "simple present". In conditional type 0 sentences, the term "if" can usually be replaced by "when" without changing the meaning.

Zero conditional structure

The zero conditional structure is very simple and easily deduced: when dealing with generalizable situations, it is sensible to use the present simple omitting the expression 'always' (always).

It results from a combination between condition and consequence, linked by the particle 'if' and potentially by the expression 'then', which means 'then'.

It is easily translatable into Spanish and, as in that language, this type of conditional can be expressed in the following forms:

'Condition - if - result'

'Result - if - condition'

'If - condition - (then) - result'

If + simple present---------simple present

Examples:

If children study, then their parents are happy.

Plants die if they don’t get enough water

If the match starts at time, people stop complaining

Conditional One

The first conditional (first conditional or conditional type 1) in English is a verb tense that is used to talk about real possibilities in the future.

It is an action that will occur if a certain condition is met.

Structure of the first conditional:

The first conditional (first conditional or conditional type 1) in English is a verb tense that is used to talk about real possibilities in the future.

It is an action that will occur if a certain condition is met.

The "type 1 conditional" is used to refer to the present or future when the situation is real. Conditional type 1 refers to a possible condition and its probable outcome. In these sentences, the "if" clause adopts the "simple present" and the main proposition the "simple future".

Structure of the first conditional: If + simple-------- presentsimple future

Examples:

If he tells the truth, they will forgive him.

If we leave now we may get there by two.

If we are not there when they arrive, they can wait at the pub.

Conditional Two

The second conditional is used to refer to situations that are not real in the present, and that are not very likely to occur in the future. Therefore, it is often said that they are imaginary situations.

The structure of the phrase in second conditional is:

The second conditional is used to refer to situations that are not real in the present, and that are not very likely to occur in the future. Therefore, it is often said that they are imaginary situations.The "type 2 conditional" is used to refer to a time that can be now or at any time and to a situation that is not real. These prayers do not allude to facts. The conditional type 2 is used to refer to a hypothetical condition and its probable outcome. In these sentences, the "if" proposition adopts the "simple past" and the main clause the "present conditional".

The structure of the phrase in second conditional is:

If + simple past-------present conditional o present continuous conditional

The clause would / could / might + verb is a verb tense called simple conditional.

Examples:

If I were taller, she would like me.

If I won the lottery, I would buy my dream house.

If she lost weight, the dress would fit.

Conditional Trhee

The "type 3 conditional" refers to an impossible condition, temporarily located in the past, and to its probable outcome in the past. These sentences are certainly hypothetical and unreal because, at this moment, it is too late for the condition or its outcome to occur. The conditional type 3 almost always implies certain repentance or that we regret something. Reality is the opposite or the opposite of what is expressed in prayer. In conditional type 3 sentences, the time frame is the past and the situation is hypothetical. In conditional type 3 sentences, modalities can also be used in the main clause, instead of "would", to express the degree of certainty, permission or a recommendation on the result.

CONTRACTIONS

Both "would" and "had" can be contracted in the same way, -'d, something that can generate confusion if we do not master the conditional type 3 sentences. Remember these 2 rules:

1. "would" never appear in the "if" statement, therefore, if "-'d" appears in the "if" statement, it will be the contraction of "had".

2. "had" is never put before "have", therefore, if "-'d" appears after a pronoun and is followed by "have", it will be the contraction of "would".

The structure of the phrase in trhee conditional is:

If + past perfect------perfect conditional o perfect continuous conditional

Examples:

If it had rained, you would have gotten wet.

You would have gotten wet if it had rained.

You would have passed your exam if you had worked harder.