Conditional Mood 

In this article, you'll dive into the conditional mood, like 'If she had known, she would have called'. Detailed explanations and a quiz are included to test your knowledge.

"Conditional Mood" in the English Grammar

What Is Conditional Mood?

Conditional mood is used to express a hypothetical or uncertain situation that is often dependent on a certain condition or circumstance. It is used to express a situation that is not necessarily real or has not yet happened, but may happen in the future.

Conditionals: Structure

Conditional sentences usually consist of two clauses: the condition clause, which expresses the condition, and the result clause, which expresses the hypothetical consequence that would follow if the condition were met. For example:

Example

If I have time, I will go to the party.

Here, the ' condition clause' introduces the condition, and the main clause introduces the hypothetical consequence.

Conditionals: Types

There are different types of conditionals and each serves a specific function:

Zero Conditional

We use zero conditionals to express general truths such as scientific facts, typical behaviors, explanations, guidelines, advice, orders, instructions, etc. Pay attention to the following examples:

Example

If you heat water to 100 °C, it boils.

'Zero conditionals' are used for things that are always true.

When it rains, the earth gets wet.

Zero Conditionals: Structure

The zero conditional structure consists of an 'if-clause' with a simple present verb, and a main clause with a simple present verb.
Modal verbs such as can, might, could, may can also be used in the main clause of a zero conditional sentence..

Example

If you drink too much alcohol, you get drunk.

If he eats too much, he gains weight soon.

Zero Conditional Clause Marker

A clause marker is a term that introduces a dependent clause. In the conditional mood, the word 'if' is commonly used as a clause marker to introduce the condition. The word 'When' can also be used as a clause marker in the conditional mood to introduce a dependent clause expressing a hypothetical situation that is expected to occur in the future.

Example

Ice melts when you heat it.

First Conditional

The first conditional mood is used to express a possible condition and its probable result. This structure is often used to talk about future events that may or may not happen depending on whether a certain condition is met. Take a look at the examples:

Example

If you are there, I will see you in 10 minutes.

Give him the keys if he is in your house.

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First Conditional: Structure

The 'if-clause' in the first conditional mood can be in simple present, present continuous, present perfect, and present perfect continuous tense. The verb in the main clause can be in future tense or a modal such as will, can, may, must, etc.
Additionally, in some cases, imperatives can be used in the main clause of a first conditional sentence to express a command or instruction.

Example

If it rains, we will cancel the picnic.

present simple + future simple

If you are driving, I can call you later.

present continuous + modal

If she has arrived, tell her to call me.

present perfect + imperative

First Conditional Clause Marker

Some of the most common clause markers in the first conditional mood include: unless, as long as, provided that, and in case, in addition to 'if' which is used in all types of conditionals. Check out the examples:

Example

I will be available in case you need a ride.

Unless you hurry, you will miss the train.

Second Conditional

The second conditional is used to express hypothetical situations that are unreal or are unlikely to happen. This structure is often used to talk about present or future dreams or situations that are imagined but not happening.

Example

If I were you, I would talk to him in person.

If I won the lottery, I would travel the world

Second Conditional: Structure

In the second conditional mood, the verb in the condition clause can be in the simple past, past continuous, or past modal form. The main clause can be constructed using past modal verbs together with the base form of the verb.
Take a look at the examples:

Example

If she knew the answer, she would tell you.

If they were staying longer, we could show them around."

Warning!

When using the second conditional mood, use the verb 'were' instead of 'was', even when referring to singular subjects such as 'I', 'she', 'he', or 'it'.

Third Conditional

The third conditional mood is used to express hypothetical situations in the past which are unreal and impossible to happen because they are about events in the past that cannot be changed. For example:

Example

If she had taken her pills on time, she might have been alive now.

If they had been studying all night, they wouldn't have failed the test.

Third Conditional: Structure

In the third conditional mood, the condition clause can contain a past perfect, or a past perfect continuous verb. In some cases, 'could have + past participle' can also be used in the condition clause. The main clause typically uses 'would have', 'might have, or 'could have' followed by a past participle. Here are some examples:

Example

If Sara had driven carefully, she might not have had an accident.

Hanna could have been here if she had not missed the flight.

Tip!

While the zero and first conditionals are categorized as predictive or factual conditionals, the second and third are considered counterfactual or subjunctive since they refer to hypothetical situations.

Mixed Conditional

Mixed conditionals are a type of grammatical structure used to express hypothetical situations that are unreal or unlikely to happen. In a mixed conditional sentence, the condition clause and the main clause are not in the same tense.

Example

If I had worked out harder in the past, I would be in better shape now.

You wouldn't be alone if you hadn't lost him for a ridiculous reason.

Mixed Conditional: Structure

Mixed conditionals can be constructed in two ways. The first way is to use a past condition with a present result, while the second way is to use a present condition with a past result. The structures are as follows:

1.

[if + past perfect] + [would/could/might + base form of the verb]

2.

[if + past simple] + [would/could/might + have + past participle]

Example

If I had saved money (past), I could buy a house now (present).

If you had studied harder (past), you would be a doctor now (present).

If he liked you (present), he would have called you (past).

If they cared about the environment (present), they would have recycled (past).

Tip!

In the conditional mood, one or both of the clauses can contain a negative verb. For example:

Example

If I don't apologize, I'd feel guilty.

He won't go to sleep unless you tell him a story.

Punctuation

There are two ways to construct a conditional sentence: by starting with the condition clause or starting with the main clause.
If the conditional sentence starts with the main clause, no comma is needed between the two clauses.
If the conditional sentence starts with the condition clause, a comma is needed between the two clauses.
Take a look at the examples below:

Example

If you are tired, you should take a break.

I would have gone to the party if I had finished my work

Review

the table below summarizes the structure of the different types of conditional sentences:

If-clause

Main clause

Zero

present

present

First

present/present continuous

future (will)/imperative/modals + base verb

Second

past tense

past modals + base verb

Third

past perfect

would have + past participle/past modals + past participle

Mixed

past perfect/past simple

past modals + base verb/would have + past participle

Quiz:


1.

Which sentence correctly uses the zero conditional?

A

If water reaches 100°C, it will boil.

B

If water reached 100°C, it would boil.

C

If water reaches 100°C, it boils.

D

If water had reached 100°C, it would have boiled.

2.

Sort the words to form a sentence in the third conditional.

wouldn't
the
.
you
show
have
you
taken
train
if
,
had
the
missed
3.

Complete the table with the correct verb forms for each conditional type.

Conditional TypeIf-Clause StructureMain Clause Structure

Zero

First

Present Simple

Second

Third

Would have + past participle

Mixed

Past Perfect

Present Simple
Future Simple
Past Simple
Would + base verb
Past Perfect
4.

Match each sentence to its correct conditional type.

If I spoke Italian, I could order for us in the restaurant.
If you press that button, the machine stops immediately.
If they had left earlier, they wouldn't have missed the train.
If she studies tonight, she will pass the exam tomorrow.
If I had taken that job, I would be living abroad now.
Mixed Conditional
Second Conditional
Zero Conditional
Third Conditional
First Conditional
5.

Choose the correct verb or structure to complete each conditional sentence.

I will go to the beach if the weather

(be) nice tomorrow.

If she

(study) more, she would pass the test easily.

If they had called earlier, we

(meet) them at the restaurant.

If I had exercised regularly, I

(be) healthier now.

Unless you

(hurry), you'll miss the bus.

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