LoginConditional 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.
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:
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:
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..
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.
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:
If you are there, I will see you in 10 minutes.
Give him the keys if he is in your house.
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.
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:
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.
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:
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:
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:
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.
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:
[if + past perfect] + [would/could/might + base form of the verb]
[if + past simple] + [would/could/might + have + past participle]
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:
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:
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:
Which sentence correctly uses the zero conditional?
If water reaches 100°C, it will boil.
If water reached 100°C, it would boil.
If water reaches 100°C, it boils.
If water had reached 100°C, it would have boiled.
Sort the words to form a sentence in the third conditional.
Complete the table with the correct verb forms for each conditional type.
| Conditional Type | If-Clause Structure | Main Clause Structure |
|---|---|---|
Zero | ||
First | Present Simple | |
Second | ||
Third | Would have + past participle | |
Mixed | Past Perfect |
Match each sentence to its correct conditional type.
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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