Conditional Sentences - 1

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Conditional ("if") sentences normally have two parts. One part shows a result and the other shows a condition on which the result depends. The condition is normally preceded by if. In "He gets angry if he doesn't get what

he wants," the result is "he gets angry" and the condition (introduced by "if") is "he doesn't get what he wants.

There are two main types of conditional sentences: real and unreal. Real conditional sentences refer to situations that are either true or possible. Unreal conditionals refer to situations that are untrue, impossible or hypothetical;conditional sentences of this type are often described as being contrary to fact.

Let's look, first, at real conditionals.

Real Conditionals-1
There are two types of real conditional sentences. In the first type, the result is known: it happens every time the condition is met. In conditional sentences of this type, when, whenever, or every time may be substituted for if with no change in meaning:


If she studies, she gets good grades.
(When / Whenever / Every time she studies,she gets good grades.)

If he's relaxed, he feels more confident.
(When / Whenever / Every time he's relaxed,he feels more confident.)

If they have extra money, they put it in their savings account.
(When / Whenever / Every time they have extra money, they put it in their
savings account.)

Extra Notes:
1. If may be at either the beginning or middle of conditional sentences:
If she studies, she gets good grades. / She gets good grades if she studies.
If he's relaxed, he feels more confident. / He feels more confident if he's relaxed.
If they have extra money, they put it in their savings account.
They put extra money in their savings account if they have any.

Notice that a comma is used with the if clause when it begins a sentence. Notice also that
there is no comma when the if clause is in the middle of a sentence.

2. For predictable situations, the simple present tense is normally used (see the examples above).

Conditional Sentences - 2
Conditional Sentences - 3

Conditional Sentences - 4
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Conditional Sentences - 6