Overview: Conditional Sentence | Basic English Grammar for Competitive Exams - Bank Exams PDF Download

Introduction of Conditional Sentence

A conditional sentence in English grammar is a type of sentence that expresses a condition (a hypothetical situation or event) and the outcome that depends on the fulfillment of that condition. Conditional sentences usually include two clauses: an "if" clause (also known as the condition) and a main clause (also known as the result).

Types of Conditional Sentences

• Zero conditional: expresses a real and certain condition that always produces a certain result. For example: "If you heat water to 100 degrees Celsius, it boils."
• First conditional: expresses a possible condition and its probable result. For example: "If it rains, I will stay at home."
• Second conditional: expresses an unlikely or impossible condition and its imaginary result. For example: "If I won the lottery, I would travel the world."
• Third conditional: expresses a hypothetical condition in the past and its imagined result, which did not happen. For example: "If I had studied harder, I would have passed the exam." 

Solved Exercise

1. Zero Conditional (present real condition)
Exercise: Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb in brackets.
If you (heat) water to 100 degrees Celsius, it (boil).

If you heat water to 100 degrees Celsius, it boils.
The zero conditional is used for facts or general truths, and both the main clause and the conditional clause use the simple present tense.

2. First Conditional (future real condition)
Exercise: Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb in brackets.
If it (rain) tomorrow, I (stay) at home.

If it rains tomorrow, I will stay at home.
The first conditional is used for future situations that are likely to happen. The conditional clause uses the simple present tense, while the main clause uses the "will" + base verb form.

3. Second Conditional (present unreal condition)
Exercise: Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb in brackets.
If I (have) a million dollars, I (travel) around the world.

If I had a million dollars, I would travel around the world.
The second conditional is used for hypothetical or unreal situations in the present or future. The conditional clause uses the simple past tense, while the main clause uses "would" + base verb form.

4. Third Conditional (past unreal condition)
Exercise: Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb in brackets.
If I (study) harder, I (pass) the exam.

If I had studied harder, I would have passed the exam.
The third conditional is used for hypothetical or unreal situations in the past. The conditional clause uses the past perfect tense, while the main clause uses "would have" + past participle verb form.

5. Mixed Conditionals (combining different time frames)
Exercise: Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb in brackets.
If I (know) about the party, I (go) yesterday.

If I had known about the party, I would have gone yesterday.
Mixed conditionals are used when the conditional clause and the main clause refer to different time frames. In this example, the conditional clause refers to a past unreal condition (using past perfect tense), while the main clause refers to a past unreal result (using "would have" + past participle verb form).