Conditional Sentence
Conditional Sentence
I. Definition
Conditional sentences are sentences that express one thing contingent on something else, e.g. “If it rains, the picnic will be cancelled”. (https://en.wikipedia.org).
Conditional Sentences are also known as Conditional Clauses or If Clauses. They are used to express that the action in the main clause (without if) can only take place if a certain condition (in the clause with if) is fulfilled. (https://www.ego4u.com)
II. Form
A Conditional Sentence is always in the form of complex sentence. It consists of two parts; they are main clause and sub-clause (the clause with if).
Main clause is part of complex sentence which can stand alone if it is separated from the other part of the sentence because it has its own subject and verb and it already has a complete meaning. It is also called independent clause.
Meanwhile a sub-clause is part of complex sentence which cannot stand alone if it is separated from the other part of the sentence because it doesn’t have a complete meaning. The sub-clause always depends on the main clause, that’s why it is also called dependent clause.
Please pay attention to the following chart.
If you say “I will take you home” (main clause), people will be easily understand you. But if you only say “If you want to” (sub-clause), people will surely get confused of what you mean.
III. Type
There are 3 types of conditional sentences, they are: future possible condition (type 1), present unreal condition (type 2), and past unreal condition (type 3).
Let’s discuss about them one by one.
A. Type 1 (Future Possible Condition)
Conditional sentence type 1 is used to express something which will happen or will be done in the future if the condition is met.
The main clause is stated in simple future tense (Subject+will+v1) and the sub-clause in in simple present tense (Subject+v1).
Examples:
- I will drink this juice later if I feel thirsty.
- She will come to your party if you invite her.
- If you go to bed late, you will get up late too.
- If you are lazy, you will not pass the examination.
If the main clause comes at the beginning of the sentence (sentence 1 and 2) you don’t need to use a coma, otherwise (sentence 3 and 4) you need it.
B. Type 2 (Present Unreal Condition)
Conditional sentence type 2 refers to situation in the present. An action could happen if the present situation were different. The sentence is not based on the actual situation. What is being stated is the opposite of the existing reality.
The main clause is stated in past future tense (Subject+would+v1) and the sub-clause is in the simple past tense (Subject+v2). In the sub-clause (the if part), were is used instead of was for all subject pronouns.
The fact of conditional sentence type 2 is usually stated in simple present tense with the opposite form. It means if the clause is in positive form then the fact is in negative form and vice versa.
Examples:
1.I would fly to the sky if I had wings.
Fact: I don’t fly to the sky because I don’t have wings.
2. We wouldn’t win the competition if we didn’t work hard.
Fact: We win the competition because we work hard.
3. If I were you, I wouldn’t let him go.
Fact: I am not you so I let him go.
4. If she were here, he would be happy.
Fact: She is not here so he is not happy.
C. Type 3 (Past Unreal Condition)
Conditional sentence type 3 refers to situation in the past, the impossible condition and its probable result. The sentence is unreal, because it is now too late for the condition or its result to happen. There is always some implication of regret with conditional sentence type 3. The reality is the opposite of, or contrary to, what the sentence expresses.
The main clause is stated in future perfect tense (subject+would+have+v3) and the sub-clause is in past perfect tense (subject+had+v3).
The fact of conditional sentence type 3 is usually stated in simple past tense with the opposite form. It means if the clause is in positive form then the fact is in negative form and vice versa.
Examples:
1.They would have passed the test if they had made good preparations.
Fact: They didn’t pass the test because they didn’t make good preparations.
2. Rina wouldn’t have been that angry if Dani hadn’t tell her a lie.
Fact: Rina was very angry because Dani told her a lie.
3. If you had come earlier to the station, you wouldn’t have missed the train.
Fact: You didn’t come earlier to the station so you missed the train.
4. If you had told us that you would go home, we would have prepared everything to welcome you.
Fact: You didn’t tell us that you would go home so we didn’t prepare everything to welcome you.