What is conditional tense? How conditional tenses are used in English Grammar?

What is conditional tense? How conditional tenses are used in English Grammar?

A conditional tense is a kind of sentence in which the sentence states a condition and that result of that condition. So, in one sentence, it can be concluded that conditional tense consists of condition and its outcome or result. Normally, conditional tenses have ‘if’ in the sentence. Sometimes, there may be ‘when’ or ‘in case’ or ‘unless’ instead of ‘if’ in the conditional sentences.

For example: If you run fast, you will catch the thief.

In this example, ‘If you run fast’ is called if clause or conditional clause and ‘you will catch the thief’ is called outcome clause or result clause or main clause. Thus, conditional tense consists of condition and its result.

Again, again the first part of the sentence i.e., ‘If you run fast’ describes a possible situation and the second part i.e., ‘you will catch the thief’ describes consequence or result.

What are the types of conditional tenses? How each conditional tense is different from other?

There are four types of conditional tenses that are used in English Grammar. These are as follows-

1. Ø       Zero Conditional Tense.
2. Ø        First Conditional Tense.
3. Ø       Second Conditional Tense.
4. Ø       Third Conditional Tense.

How Zero Conditional Tense is used? What are the rules for Zero Conditional Tense?

In two factors, Zero Conditional Tense is used. First, when the sentence states universal truth and second when the sentence states general truth.

1. Ø       Universal Truth.
2. Ø       General Truth.

For example, if you go out in the rain, you get wet.

                      If you take alcohol, your health suffers.

The first example states universal truth. Nobody can come out after going in the rain without getting wet.

The second example, states general truth. If you take alcohol, one day your health will really suffer.

So, here we find that, in Zero Conditional Tense, both ‘if clause’ or ‘conditional clause’ and ‘result clause’ or ‘main clause’ denotes present indefinite tense. It means that, when the sentence will state universal truth or general truth, both clauses will be present indefinite tense. The formation of zero conditional tense will be as follows-

Present indefinite ←→ Present indefinite

Sub+V1 (s/es)+Obj + Sub+V1 (s/es)+Obj

More Examples of Zero Conditional Tense:

1.      If ice melts, it comes water.
2.      If it rains, the grass gets new life.
3.     Newborn baby cries when he/she is born.
4.    Water becomes steam if it is heated
5.      Air raises up when it is hot.

How First Conditional Tense is used? What are the rules for First Conditional Tense?

First conditional is used when the result of the condition may happen in the future but no 100% guaranteed. There may be possibilities to happen but it isn’t truly that it must happen. In that case, we use First Conditional Tense.

For example, if he runs fast, he will catch the thief.

In the above example, it is not guaranteed that he can catch the thief but there is possibility to catch. In that catch the sentence is considered 1^st conditional tense.  The formation of first conditional tense will be as follows-

Present indefinite ←→ Future indefinite

Sub+V1 (s/es)+Obj + Sub+shall/will+V1+Obj

More Examples of First Conditional Tense:

1.        If it does not rain for a long time, the crops will die.
2.       If it works out, he will succeed.
3.       If you study hard, you will definitely pass.
4.      If you are free, we can go for a walk.
5.      If he comes, he will go with him.
6.      Unless you start now, you won’t catch the train
7.     If the weather clears up, the plane will take off.
8.     If Virat scores a quick handed, India will win the match.
9.      The city will be submersed if it continues to rain heavily.
10.       If my friend comes, I’ll be happy.

How Second Conditional Tense is used? What are the rules for Second Conditional Tense?

Second Conditional Tense is used to describe hypothetical condition or unreal situation or imaginary condition with impossible result. Both the condition and its result are impossible.

For example, If I were you, I would accept the job.

In the above example, ‘I’ could not be ‘you’. It is an impossible imagination. The formation of 2^nd conditional tense will be as follows-

Past indefinite ←→ Sub+would/could+V1+obj

More Examples of First Conditional Tense:

1.      If Harish were not so ill, you would go with you.
2.       If I were a bird, I could fly.
3.     If I had time, I would go to the museum.
4.     If I were there, I would speak up.
5.       Unless you supported me, I would not stand in for the post.
6.     If wishes were horses, beggars would write.
7.      If you cry, you would feel much better.

How Third Conditional Tense is used? What are the rules for Third Conditional Tense?

Third conditional tense is used to describe unfulfilled condition and its result. We often use these conditions to describe our regrets.

For example, If I had inherited a billion dollar, I would have traveled to the Mars.

In the above example, we are describing our unfulfilled conditions. Now we are describing our regrets. To state this type of condition, we use third conditional tense. The formation of third conditional dense will be as follows-

Past perfect ←→ Sub+would/could+have+V3+obj

More Examples of 3^rd Conditional Tense:

        i.            If I had not listened attentively, I would have missed the main point.

     ii.            If Newton had not observed the Apple falling, the law gravity would have remained undiscovered.

1.       If I had known you were in Delhi, I would have visited you.
2.      If you had started in time, you would have reached by now.
3.       If I had the money, I could have traveled the world.

     If they had moved the tickets earlier, they would have found more sets.

Conditional sentences can be written without using ‘if’.

For Example, Had I known this, I would have not come to you.