Conditional Patterns

By Matthew, 29 8月 2009 - 2:58午後
5
 
 
Grammar name (English): 
Conditionals Sentence Patterns
Grammar name (日本語): 
条件文、条件語句、条件節

The patterns for the five types of conditionals, or IF sentences, in English and some examples. Compare and understand.

#1 from coffee run#1 from coffee runThere are five types of conditionals in English. This page shows the five patterns next to each other so you can compare them. The five types are listed below:

  1. Zero conditionals—a result that always happens;
  2. First conditionals—a result of a possible situation;
  3. Second conditionals—a result of an impossible or unlikey situation;
  4. Third conditionals—a past result of something that did not happen;
  5. Mixed conditionals—a present result of something that did not happen.
The Patterns

This is a simple summary of the five main patterns, and their most common forms:

Pattern Condition Result
1. Zero Conditionals IF + PRESENT VERB PRESENT VERB
2. First Conditionals IF + PRESENT VERB FUTURE VERB
3. Second Conditionals IF + PAST (SUBJUNCTIVE) VERB PAST CONDITIONAL VERB
4. Third Conditionals IF + PAST PERFECT VERB PAST MODAL AUXILIARY VERB
5. Mixed Conditionals IF + PAST PERFECT VERB PAST CONDITIONAL VERB

It is easier to see the patterns if we think about the verb "to do":

Pattern Condition Result
1. Zero Conditionals IF...do... ...does...
2. First Conditionals IF...do... ...will do...
3. Second Conditionals IF...did... ...would do / could do...
4. Third Conditionals IF...had done... ...would have done / could have done...
5. Mixed Conditionals IF...had done ...would do / could do...

Some examples of each:

1. Zero Conditionals If you mix sodium with water, it explodes. Learn more
2. First Conditionals If it is sunny tomorrow, I will go surfing.  
3. Second Conditionals If I were totally crazy, this would be my hobby.  
4. Third Conditionals If I had remembered to go to the shops, I would not have been eaten.  
5. Mixed Conditionals If I had not missed the meeting, I would not be in trouble.