Conditional Sentences, Review and Chart

The Grammar HELP!  Student Handbook - Online!

In today's Grammar  - Online! lesson we continue 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.

Editing Tips

When editing conditional sentences, edit to ensure that you are using:

  • the correct conditional (i.e. 1st, 2nd or 3rd)

  • the proper verb tenses, verb forms and punctuation

Chart

TYPE When We Use It Verb Tense of "if" clause Verb Tense of "then" clause
1st


 The if Clause Is
True
in the Present or the Future		 Simple Present Present or Future, Depending on the Context
a)  If one of us has a problem, we have a family meeting.
b)  If Adam doesn't go, he will feel left out.
c)  If I have a problem tomorrow, I'll call you.
2nd


 The if Clause Is
Not True
in the Present or the Future		 Action Verbs:
Simple Past

'be' verbs:
were		 would + base form
a)  If I fell in love, I would know it.
b)  If all your dreams came true, would you be happy?
c)  If I met the man who killed my brother, I would pardon him.
d)  If I were you, I would take the job.

3rd

 The if Clause Is
Not True
in the Past		 Past Perfect would + Past Perfect
a)  If he had been honest*, he would have been happier.
b)  If my grandfather had known about it**, he never would have forgiven me.
c)  If they had decided to stay together***, the marriage wouldn't have worked out.

*    He wasn't honest, and he wasn't happy.
**   He didn't know about it.
*** They decided not to stay together.

Next...Putting It All Together:  Editing Practice

  

Please continue with our next lesson, "Putting It All Together: Editing Practice."

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