Conditional Sentences
In today's
Grammar
HELP!
Student Handbook -
Online! lesson
we begin our unit on
Conditional Sentences
Please keep in mind that all the examples
you see below were contributed by ESL students in their
writing and reading classes. We
bring you only authentic writing.
Sneak Preview
The following sentences are conditional sentences from our students' essays. Do you agree with their statements?
-
If a person wants to live in the United States, he should learn to speak English.
-
If a man cooks or helps his wife to cook, he can say 'good-bye' to being slim.
-
If a married couple doesn't get along, they should get divorced. If they have children, their staying together only harms the children.
-
If all your dreams came true, you would not be happy.
-
If a person keeps busy and gets plenty of exercise, he will stay young.
What Is a Conditional Sentence?
A conditional sentence is one type of complex sentence, which means that it consists of a main clause and a dependent (or subordinate clause).
Most of the time the conditional sentence begins with the subordinate clause, as in the examples above.
The subordinate clause is often called the "if" clause (or the "condition") clause, and the main (or independent) clause is often called the "then" clause (or the "result" clause). The action in the "then" or "result" clause is dependent upon the action in the "if" or "condition" clause.
It is easy to identify a conditional sentence. The "if" clause usually begins with the word "if". The main clause usually begins with the word "then".
Three Categories of Conditional Sentences
There are three categories of conditional sentences and they are known as
-
1st conditional
-
2nd conditional and
-
3rd conditional.
We will learn about each of these categories in the rest of this chapter.
Next...1st, 2nd and 3rd Conditionals
Continue with our next lesson, "Conditional Sentences: Introduction, Part 2."
All material is copyrighted, Software for Students. Copying for PERSONAL USE ONLY. All others must contact Software for Students for permission to use in schools or other educational institutions.