Conditionals: Definition and 4 Types with Examples

In English grammar, a conditional is a type of clause that expresses a condition or a set of conditions that must be met in order for a particular event or outcome to occur. The conditional clause typically begins with the word “if” and is followed by a condition, while the main clause expresses the result or outcome that will occur if the condition is met.

Here is an example of a conditional sentence:

• If it rains tomorrow, I will stay home.

In this example, the condition is “it rains tomorrow” and the consequence is “I will stay home.” The sentence is saying that if the condition (it raining tomorrow) is true, then the consequence (staying home) will happen.

Types of Conditionals

There are 4 different types of conditionals in English, including the zero conditional, the first conditional, the second conditional, and the third conditional. The form of the conditional sentence can change depending on the likelihood or certainty of the condition being fulfilled.

The zero conditional is a type of conditional sentence in English grammar that expresses a factual or logical relationship between two events, where the condition and the consequence are both present tense. It is called the “zero” conditional because it does not refer to any specific time, past, present, or future.

This type of conditional is used to describe scientific or general truths, or to express a result that is always true under certain conditions.

In the zero conditional, the condition is stated in the if-clause, and the result or outcome is stated in the main clause. The if-clause is typically written in the present simple tense, and the main clause is written in the present simple tense.

For example:

• If water boils at 100 degrees Celsius, it turns into steam. (In this sentence, the condition is “water boils at 100 degrees Celsius” and the consequence is “it turns into steam.”)
• If you heat ice, it melts. (In this sentence, the condition is “you heat ice” and the consequence is “it melts.”)

Here are some more examples of the zero conditional:

• If you heat ice, it melts.
• If you mix red and yellow paint, you get orange.
• If you cut a tree down, it falls to the ground.

In each of these examples, the condition (stated in the if-clause) is a simple action or event, and the result (stated in the main clause) is a logical or scientific outcome that always occurs when the condition is met.

In English grammar, the first conditional is a type of conditional sentence that expresses a conditional relationship between two events, where the first event (the condition) is likely to occur and the second event (the consequence) is likely to follow.

The first conditional is used to describe a likely or possible future event. It is called the “first” conditional because it refers to a future time, and it is used to describe events that are likely to happen if a certain condition is met.

In the first conditional, the condition is stated in the if-clause, and the result or outcome is stated in the main clause. The if-clause is typically written in the present simple tense, and the main clause is written in the future simple tense.

For example:

• If I eat too much, I will feel sick. (In this sentence, the condition is “I eat too much” and the consequence is “I will feel sick.”)
• If it rains tomorrow, I will bring my umbrella. (In this sentence, the condition is “it rains tomorrow” and the consequence is “I will bring my umbrella.”)

Here are some more examples of the first conditional:

• If it rains, I will stay inside.
• If you finish your homework, you can watch TV.
• If he calls, tell him I’m not available.

In each of these examples, the condition (stated in the if-clause) is a likely or possible future event, and the result (stated in the main clause) is a future action or outcome that is likely to occur if the condition is met. The first conditional is used to describe events that are reasonably likely to happen based on the current situation or circumstances.

The second conditional is a type of conditional sentence that expresses a hypothetical or contrary-to-fact relationship between two events, where the condition is unlikely or impossible to occur and the consequence is also unlikely or impossible to occur. This type of conditional is used to describe hypothetical or imaginary situations, or to express a result that is not currently true or possible.

It is also known as the “unreal conditional” because it refers to a situation that is not real or is unlikely to happen.

The second conditional is formed with the word “if” followed by the past simple tense, and then the word “would” or another modal verb followed by the base form of a verb.

The structure of the second conditional is:

• “If + subject + simple past tense verb, subject + would/could/might + base verb.”

Here is an example of the second conditional:

• If I won the lottery, I would buy a house on the beach.

In this example, the speaker is describing a hypothetical situation (winning the lottery) and its possible consequence (buying a house on the beach). The speaker is not actually expecting to win the lottery, but is using the second conditional to talk about what they would do if they did.

Here is another example of the second conditional:

• If it rained tomorrow, we might have to cancel the picnic.

In this example, the speaker is describing a hypothetical situation (it raining tomorrow) and its possible consequence (having to cancel the picnic). The speaker is not certain that it will rain tomorrow, but is using the second conditional to talk about what might happen if it does.

Here is another example of the second conditional:

• If I had a time machine, I would go back in time and meet Shakespeare.

In this sentence, the condition is “I had a time machine” and the consequence is “I would go back in time and meet Shakespeare.”

The third conditional is a type of conditional sentence in English grammar that expresses a past hypothetical or contrary-to-fact relationship between two events, where the condition was not fulfilled and the consequence did not occur.

It is also known as the “past unreal conditional” because it is used to describe past events or situations that did not happen, or to express a result that was not achieved due to a past event.

The third conditional is formed with the word “if” followed by the past perfect tense, and then the word “would have” followed by the past participle of a verb.

The structure of the third conditional is:

• “If + subject + had + past participle verb, subject + would/could/might + have + past participle verb.”

Here is an example of the third conditional:

• If I had studied harder, I would have passed the exam.

In this example, the speaker is describing a hypothetical situation (studying harder) that did not happen in the past and its possible consequence (passing the exam). The speaker is not actually saying that they did study harder, but is using the third conditional to talk about what might have happened if they had.

Here is another example of the third conditional:

• If he had taken the earlier flight, he would have arrived on time.

In this example, the speaker is describing a hypothetical situation (taking the earlier flight) that did not happen in the past and its possible consequence (arriving on time). The speaker is not actually saying that he did take the earlier flight, but is using the third conditional to talk about what might have happened if he had.

Here is another example of the third conditional:

• If he had asked for directions, he would have found the museum.

In this sentence, the condition is “he had asked for directions” and the consequence is “he would have found the museum.”

In addition to these four main types of conditionals, there are also mixed conditionals, which combine elements of different types of conditionals, and other variations that can be used to express more specific conditions or outcomes.