Updated Conditional Sentences rules For Competitive Exams

CONDITIONAL SENTENCES

 

What is conditional sentence?

A conditional sentence consists of two parts first is a condition and another is a main clause.

If A goes, B comes.

If the sun sets, the moon arises.

Examples

If it rains, he will have a bath.

In the above example ‘If it rains is a condition’ and ‘he will have a bath’ is a main clause because the precedent action which is about a bath totally depends on the first action which is a condition. Hence it is a conditional sentences.

The Main Clause: It is a part of a sentence and doesn’t depend on anything. It can give its meaning alone. It is also called an independent clause.

Types of conditional sentences

There are generally five types of conditional sentences.

        ·        Present

        ·        Past

        ·        Past Perfect

        ·        Imaginary

        ·        Other types of conditional sentences

    è General rule for conditional sentences

The condition in the sentence should never be in the future tense.

Example: If Rakesh will learn affiliate marketing, he will make a lot of money. ×

Here the condition is affiliate marketing hence it should not be in the future tense.

If Rakesh learns affiliate marketing, he will make a lot of money. ✓

Here the rule applied as per the requirement hence it is an accurate sentence.

Type 1 Present

Formation: In the first type of conditional sentence we hope that the first action will come into existence only then another will happen. Therefore we always use the condition in the present tense and the second part of the sentence in the future indefinite tense.

{If + Present tense,    Future indefinite tense (will/shall+ V1)}

Examples:

If she doesn’t like talking to him, he will not force her for it.

If you have a dream, you will fulfil it by an effective strategy.

If you want to learn Content writing, you will have to learn English Grammar first.

If my friend is in trouble, I will surely go to help me out.

If the internet connection doesn’t work properly, it will affect my work efficiency.

Type 2

{If + Present tense (Sub+ V2), Future indefinite tense (would+ V1)}

In the second type of condition sentence we repent for the past possibility which we couldn’t do.

Examples

If I had money, I would buy a range rover car.

If she learnt English, she would work in an MNC company on an excellent profile.

If Raju didn’t drink limitlessly, he wouldn’t be hospitalized in an emergency.

If he had a job, he would not roam helter and skelter in streets.

If I had an opportunity to learn digital marketing, I would have my own business.

Type 3 Past Perfect

 Formation: {If + Subject + Past perfect (had+ V3), (Subject + would / could have + V3)}

If they had played in the match, we would have won it easily.

If I had completed my work timely, I would have slept by this time.

If she had got her tickets, she would have left India already.

If you had known me, I would have invited you to have dinner with me on my birthday.

If Rahul had learnt how to use Microsoft Excel, he would have generated the bill.

Type 4 Imaginary

In the fourth type of conditional sentence we imagine the things that are not present in the reality.

Formation: (If, Were, Would That, I wish, Had, Only If) you can start your sentences with these words.

		Use	First line	Second line
	has	è	Had	Would
subject	does	è	Past Indefinite	+
	is	è	Were	V1

Take the help of the above table and make some interesting sentences.

Examples

 Were you were here, I would not weep. (the person is not currently available)

If he invited his friends, they would be here in time with a pleasurable surprise. (but he didn’t invite)

Had she money (if she had money), she would live a luxurious life. (doesn’t have money)

Only if I were the Prime Minister, I would work for the welfare of my country. (I am not)

I wish I were a kid, I would play from morning to evening. (I am not)

        Type 5 Other types of Conditional sentences

Other conditional sentences rules for IF clause with a detailed explanation.

    è Permission

    è Possibility

    è Suggestion

    è Universal truth

Examples

        ·        If you want to play Cricket, you can go after half an hour. (Permission)

        ·        If it is lightening, it may rain tonight. (Possibility)

        ·        If you want to work from home permanent, you should learn digital marketing. (Suggestion)

        ·        If you hurt someone, he cries. (Universal truth)

Some other rules for conditional sentences by using the below words that support the other conditions

(Unless, In case, Provided, Suppose, Supposing that, But for, as long as)

Word	Usage
Unless	Condition
In case	IF
Provided	On condition that
Suppose	Imagine
Supposing that	Imagine
As long as	by the end of time
But For	if not  just use  But for + noun

Unless

We can never win a race, unless we have determination and confidence in ourselves.

 Unless you execute the plan, the strategy is in vain completely.

In case

In case you need anything, please call me to this number anytime.

I can use my phone in case I have phone someone.

Provided

I can trust you provided you promise for not deceiving me in the future.

I will prove your mistake provided you will apologize for it.

Suppose/ Supposing that

Suppose she doesn’t come today, what will you do then?

Supposing that it was his off, I went to see him.

As long as

As long as I live I love you.

I didn’t sleep as long as she was working.

But for

But for Neha, I couldn’t do it.

But for food and water, we can’t live a long time.