What are conditional sentences?

Conditional sentences, also known as “if-then” sentences, express a relationship between a condition and its result. They usually consist of two clauses: the “if” clause (conditional clause) and the “main” clause (result clause). The “if” clause sets the condition, and the “main” clause presents the consequence or result of that condition.

Conditional sentences are a fundamental aspect of the English language. They serve to express hypothetical situations, possibilities, or cause-and-effect relationships. By using conditional clauses, we can explore different scenarios and their potential outcomes.

Understanding and using conditional sentences correctly can greatly enhance your ability to express different shades of meaning and convey complex ideas in English. So, remember to consider the specific conditions and their corresponding results when constructing conditional sentences.

There are several types of conditional sentences:

Zero Conditional:

This type of conditional sentence expresses general truths or facts, where the result is always true if the condition is fulfilled. It is formed using the simple present tense in both clauses. Example: If you heat water to 100 degrees Celsius, it boils.

First Conditional:

The first conditional is used for real and possible situations in the future. It is formed using the simple present tense in the “if” clause and will/can/may + base verb in the “main” clause. Example: If it rains tomorrow, we will stay indoors.

Second Conditional:

The second conditional deals with hypothetical or unlikely situations in the present or future. It is formed using the simple past tense in the “if” clause and would/could/might + base verb in the “main” clause. Example: If I had more money, I would buy a new car.

Third Conditional:

The third conditional expresses unreal situations in the past and their imagined consequences. It is formed using the past perfect tense in the “if” clause and would/could/might + have + past participle in the “main” clause. Example: If she had studied harder, she might have passed the exam.

Mixed Conditional:

Mixed conditionals combine elements of the second and third conditionals. They describe situations where the condition relates to the past, but the result relates to the present or vice versa. Example: If I had saved more money in the past, I would be wealthier now.

Test your grammar skills

ex 1. Zero conditional

(fill in the blank with the correct verb, in the correct form)

come flood boil get evacuate freeze fall dissolves grow fizz

1. If you heat water to 100 degrees Celsius, it ________________.
2. If the temperature drops below zero, water ________________.
3. If plants receive enough sunlight, they ________________.
4. If you mix red and yellow, you ________________orange.
5. If you press the switch, the light ________________on.
6. If the alarm rings, students ________________.
7. If you add salt to water, it ________________.
8. If it rains heavily, the streets ________________.
9. If you drop a ball, it ________________.
10. If you mix vinegar and baking soda, it ________________.

Test your grammar skills

ex 2. First conditional

(fill in the blank with the correct verb, in the correct form)

1. If you study hard, you ________________ the exam with flying colors. (pass)
2. We will go for a walk if it ________________ outside. (not/rain)
3. If she finishes her project on time, her boss ________________ her efforts. (appreciate)
4. I will call you if I ________________ any updates on the situation. (get)
5. If they don’t hurry, they ________________ the last bus home. (miss)
6. If you save enough money, you ________________ a new car. (buy)
7. If it snows tomorrow, schools ________________ closed. (be)
8. She won’t be late if she ________________ a taxi to the airport. (take)
9. If you eat healthy food, you ________________ better. (feel)
10. If you don’t finish the report in time, your manager ________________ disappointed. (be)

Test your grammar skills

ex 3. Second conditional

(fill in the blank with the correct verb, in the correct form)

• If I were you, I ________________ for that job opportunity. (apply)
• If she had more time, she ________________ a trip around the world. (take)
• I would be surprised if he ________________ to the party. (come)
• If they won the lottery, they ________________ a new house. (buy)
• If it weren’t so expensive, I ________________ that designer dress. (buy)
• She would feel better if she ________________ some rest. (get)
• If he were taller, he ________________ a basketball player. (be)
• If we had more resources, we ________________ a bigger project. (start)
• If you were more careful, you ________________ mistakes. (make)
• If I had a map, I ________________ lost. (not/get)

Test your grammar skills

ex 4. Third conditional

(fill in the blank with the correct verb, in the correct form)

1. If she had studied harder, she ____ the exam. (pass)
2. If they had taken the earlier flight, they ____ in time for the meeting. (arrive)
3. He wouldn’t have missed the train if he ____ his alarm. (set)
4. If we had known about the traffic jam, we ____ a different route. (take)
5. She wouldn’t have been late if she ____ up earlier. (get)
6. If they had practiced more, they ____ the competition. (win)
7. He would have understood the instructions if he ____ them carefully. (read)
8. If I had known about the party, I ____ it. (attend)
9. If she hadn’t missed her flight, she ____ at the conference. (speak)
10. If they had studied Spanish, they ____ the language. (learn)

Test your grammar skills

ex 5. Mixed conditional

(fill in the blank with the correct verb, in the correct form)

1. If I had more experience, I ________________ for that job. (apply)
2. If she understood the instructions, she ________________ mistakes. (not/make)
3. He would feel happier if he ________________ more time with his family. (spend)
4. If we had saved enough money, we ________________ on a vacation. (go)
5. If they had seen the movie, they ________________ how it ends. (know)
6. She would be healthier if she ________________ better eating habits. (have)
7. If he were more organized, he ________________ all his tasks on time. (complete)
8. If we had known about the event, we ________________ it. (attend)
9. She wouldn’t be stressed if she ________________ some time off. (take)
10. If they had made better decisions, they ________________ the consequences. (avoid)

Test your grammar skills

ex 6. Conditional sentences

(fill in the blank with the correct verb, in the correct form)

1. If you bring the ingredients, I ________________ the cake for the party. (bake)
2. We would have arrived on time if we ________________ the shortcut. (take)
3. If he were here, he ________________ you exactly what to do. (tell)
4. If they find the address, they ________________ the party location. (inform)
5. If I had known about the meeting, I ________________ my schedule accordingly. (arrange)
6. If you water the plants regularly, they ________________ healthy and vibrant. (remain)
7. If she could play the guitar, she ________________ us a song. (perform)
8. If you had called earlier, I ________________ my plans. (change)
9. Would you mind if I ________________ a look at your notes? (take)
10. If the weather were better, we ________________ for a hike in the mountains. (go)

Test your Business English grammar skills

ex. 7 Conditional sentences

(fill in the blank with the correct verb, in the correct form)

Be Increase Sign Improve Choose Make Reward Be Cut Adjust

1. If we deliver the project on time, the client ________________ satisfied.
2. If the marketing campaign is successful, sales ________________.
3. If the team meets its targets, the company ________________ them.
4. If we invest in employee training, productivity ________________.
5. If we offer competitive prices, customers ________________us.
6. If the negotiation goes well, we ________________the contract.
7. If the market conditions change, we ________________our strategy.
8. If we implement cost-saving measures, the company ________________ expenses.
9. If the team collaborates effectively, the project ________________ successful.
10. If we analyze the data thoroughly, we ________________ informed decisions.

Test your Advanced Business English grammar

ex 8. Conditional sentences

(fill in the blank with the correct verb, in the correct form)

(will/adjust)(may/widen)(shall/increase) (could/boost) (might/pursue)(can/unlock)(shall/attract)(must/seek)(may/require)(will/reduce)

1. If the company diversifies its product line, it ________________ its market share.
2. If we incorporate AI technology, we ________________ operational efficiency.
3. Should the negotiations break down, we ________________ an alternative solution.
4. If we leverage our network effectively, we ________________ new business opportunities.
5. If the management implements the cost-cutting strategy, we ________________ profitability.
6. Should the demand exceed supply, we ________________ the prices.
7. If the marketing team executes the campaign successfully, we ________________ a new customer base.
8. Should we encounter legal challenges, we ________________ professional counsel.
9. If the project timeline accelerates, we ________________ additional resources.
10. If we optimize our supply chain, we ________________ production costs.

Conditional sentences using advanced Business English verbs:

ex 9. Advanced conditionals

(fill in the blank with the correct verb, in the correct form)

(could/incur)(shall/receive)(will/activate) (may/attain)(can/anticipate)(may/abandon)(must/implement)(will/adjust)(could/establish) (shall/achieve)

1. If the company fails to meet regulatory requirements, we ________________ serious penalties.
2. Should the merger proceed as planned, we ________________ a dominant market position.
3. If the sales team surpasses its targets, they ________________ lucrative bonuses.
4. Should the market conditions remain stable, we ________________ substantial growth.
5. If the project encounters delays, we ________________ our contingency plan.
6. If the negotiations collapse, we ________________ the deal altogether.
7. Should the economy experience a downturn, we ________________ cost-saving measures.
8. If we secure the contract, we ________________ a long-term partnership.
9. If the company invests in research and development, we ________________ innovative solutions.
10. Should the market demand shift, we ________________ our product offerings accordingly.

In advanced Business English, using modal verbs in conditional sentences allows for more precise expressions of possibility, probability, and necessity in various business scenarios.

Conditional sentences using advanced Business English verbs:

ex 10. Advanced conditionals

(fill in the blank with the correct verb, in the correct form)

(might/launch)(might/gain)(shall/improve)(may/obtain)(will/see)(shall/enhance)(could/cultivate)(will/pursue)(may/reduce)(can/develop)

1. If the marketing campaign goes viral, we ________________ a significant increase in brand visibility.
2. Should the company merge with its competitor, we ________________ a larger market share.
3. If the new product launch is successful, we ________________ a boost in revenue.
4. If the project team collaborates effectively, we ________________ innovative solutions to complex problems.
5. Should the customer feedback be positive, we ________________ customer loyalty and retention.
6. If we invest in employee training programs, we ________________ a skilled and motivated workforce.
7. Should the supply chain be disrupted, we ________________ alternative sourcing options.
8. If the company adopts sustainable practices, we ________________ our environmental impact.
9. If we implement cost-cutting measures, we ________________ operational efficiency.
10. Should the market competition intensify, we ________________ a strategic marketing campaign.