Conditionals · Grade 8
A conditional sentence has two parts: an if part (the condition) and a main part (the result). There are four main types. Which one you use depends on whether the situation is always true, possible in the future, imaginary now, or imaginary in the past.
Key facts
- Zero (always true): if + present, present. If you heat ice, it melts.
- First (a real possibility): if + present, will + verb. If it rains, we will play inside. Never will in the if part.
- Second (imaginary or unlikely): if + past, would + verb. If I had wings, I would fly. For advice: If I were you, I would ask.
- Third (an imaginary past: it didn't happen): if + had + past participle, would have + past participle. If she had left early, she would have caught the bus.
- The if part can come first (with a comma) or second (no comma): We will play inside if it rains.