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English Grammar Series- If Conditionals

English Grammar Series- If Conditionals

Dr Maleka University College Dhanmondi Dhaka, ডক্টর মালিকা বিশ্ববিদ্যালয় কলেজ, ধানমন্ডি ঢাকা 


What Are Conditionals?

In English grammar, conditionals are statements that describe both hypothetical and real sentence. They are sometimes referred to as 'if clauses'.  They begin the same way.


How many conditionals are there?

Mainly there are three conditionals, zero conditional, first conditional, second conditional.

How and when are these conditionals used?

The examples mentioned below explain how zero, first and second conditionals are used.


If you boil water, it becomes evaporated.
If it rains tomorrow, I'll take the umbrella.

If I lived closer to the coffee shop, I would go more often to drink coffee.


Conditional describes result of a certain condition. The if clause tells the condition suppose- If you study hard. The main clause tells the result, suppose - you will pass your exams. If we change the order of the clauses, it will not change the meaning of the sentences. 


If she studies hard, she will pass her exams.

She will pass her exams if she studies hard.


Conditional sentences are categorised p into different types.


Zero conditional

We use the zero conditional in order to talk about things that are generally true for all. Such as for laws and rules.


If I drink too much tea, I can't sleep at night.

Ice melts if you heat it.
When the sun goes down, it becomes dark.

The structure of zero conditional:  if/when + present simple, present simple.


First conditional

We use the first conditional when we talk about future situations that we know are real or it may be possible.


If it rains tomorrow, we'll not go to the playground.

She will be loved by her father if she stands first in the examination.

When I need you, I'll call you.


First conditional sentences structure: if/when + present simple, future indefinite/future simple.



Second conditional

The second conditional is used to tell about present or future situations that are impossible or that are unlikely to happen in reality.


If we had a garage, we could have a car.
If I won a lot of money, I'd buy a big house for library
I would remove unhappiness if I were a king.


The structure of second conditionals: if + past simple, sub + would + main verb. 
If there is Be verb after if, it is correct to say if I were, if he were, if she were, if they were, because they are the part of second conditionals.


If I were a bird, I would fly in the sky.
If she was education minister, she would invest more money in educational institutions.
Thank you

Shameem Sarwar
shameem.sarwar@yahoo.com

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