Oxford International School (OIS)

Subject: English Language; Topic: Conditionals

Information Sheet
Class: 9
Name: ______________________________ Section: _______________ Roll: _______ Date:
_________________

General Discussion:
1. Conditionals are sentences that contain an ‘if clause’ in them.
2. The ‘if clause’ is the ‘conditional clause’ or the ‘subordinate clause’ or the ‘dependent clause’.
3. They describe the result of an action that might happen in the present or in the future
4. They describe the result of an action that might have happened in the past but actually it did not happen.
5. They speculate: what could happen, or what might have happened, or what we wish would happen.
6. In English, most of the sentences using the conditional contain the word ‘if’.
7. Many conditional forms in English are used in sentences that include verbs in one of the past tenses.
8. The usage of the past tense is referred to as ‘the unreal past’ as it does not really happen.
9. There are five main ways of constructing conditional sentences in English.
10. In all five cases, these sentences are made up of an ‘if clause; and a ‘main clause’.
11. In many negative conditionals, there is an equivalent sentence construction using ‘unless’ instead of ‘if’.

Types of Conditionals: There are five types of conditionals in English grammar. They are as follows:
1. The Zero Conditional
2. The First Conditional
3. The Second Conditional
4. The Third Conditional and
5. The Mixed Conditional

1. The Zero Conditional: The Zero Conditional has one Present Simple Tense in the ‘If Clause’ and
another Present Simple Tense in the 'Main Clause'.

Structure 1: If Clause/Conditional Clause Main Clause

If + Present Simple Tense + , (Comma) Present Simple Tense + Extension
[Or]
Structure 2: Main Clause If Clause/Conditional Clause
Present Simple Tense + Extension if + Present Simple Tense

Examples:

(a) If water reaches 1000 C, it always boils.

[Or] Water always boils if it reaches 1000 C.

(b) If I eat peanuts, I become ill.

[Or] I become ill if I eat peanuts.

(c) If people eat too much, they get (become) fat.

[Or] People get (become) fat if they eat too much.

(d) If you touch a fire, you get burned.

[Or] You get burned if you touch fire.

(e) If people do not eat, they die.

[Or] People die if they do not eat.

Note: When the ‘Main Clause’ is used in the beginning, the Comma (,) is not used.

Usage: This Zero Conditional is used when the result always happens. So, if water reaches 1000 C, it
always boils. It is a fact. We are talking in general, not about one particular situation. The result of the 'if

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clause' is always the main clause. The 'if' in this conditional can usually be replaced by 'when' without
changing the meaning.

2. The First Conditional: The First Conditional has the Present Simple Tense in the 'If Clause', and the
Future Simple in the ‘Main Clause’.

Structure If Clause/Conditional Clause Main Clause

1: If + Present Simple Tense + , (Comma) Future Simple (will/will not) + Infinitive (to +
Verb) + Extension
[Or]
Structure Main Clause If Clause/Conditional Clause
2: Future Simple (will/will not) + Infinitive (to if + Present Simple Tense
+ Verb) + Extension

Examples:

(a) If it rains, I will not go to the park. [Note: will not = won’t]
[Or] I will not go to the park if it rains.

(b) If I study today, I will go to the party tonight. [Note: I will = I’ll]
[Or] I will go the party tonight if I study today.

(c) If I have enough money, I will buy some (pairs of) new shoes.
[Or] I will buy some (pairs of) new shoes if I have enough money.

(d) If the train is delayed, she will be late. [Note: she will = she’ll]
[Or] She will be late if the train is late.

(e) If she does not leave soon, she will miss the bus. [Note: does not = doesn’t]
[Or] She will miss the bus if she does not leave now.

Note: When the ‘Main Clause’ is used in the beginning, the Comma (,) is not used.

Usage: The First Conditional is used to talk about an action which might happen in the future. Of course,
we cannot know what will happen in the future, but this describes a possible action, which could easily
come true.

3. The Second Conditional: The Second Conditional has the Past Simple Tense in the ‘If Clause’ and
‘would + Infinitive’ in the ‘Main Clause’.

Structure If Clause/Conditional Clause Main Clause

1: If + Past Simple Tense + , (Comma) would + Infinitive (Base Verb) + Extension

[Or]
Structure Main Clause If Clause/Conditional Clause
2: would + Infinitive (Base Verb) + Extension if + Past Simple Tense

Examples:

(a) If I won the lottery, I would buy a big house. [Note: I, probably, will not win the lottery.]
[Or] I would buy a big house if I won the lottery.

(b) If I met the Queen of England, I would say hello.

[Or] I would say hello if I met the Queen of England.

(c) If she were rich, she would travel all over the world.
[Or] She would travel all over the world if she were rich.

(d) If she ever studied, she would pass the exam. [Note: She never studies, so this will not happen.]
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[Or] She would pass the exam if she ever studied.

(e) If I had his number, I would call him. [Note: I do not have his number now, so it I cannot call him.]
[Or] I would call him if I had his number.

Note 1: When the ‘Main Clause’ is used in the beginning, the Comma (,) is not used.

Note 2: We can use 'were' instead of 'was' with 'I' and 'he/she/it'. This is mostly done in formal writing. It
has two uses:

First, we can use it to talk about things in the future that are probably not going to be true. Maybe I am
imagining some dream for example,

1. If I won the lottery, I would buy a big house. [Note: I probably won't (will not) win the lottery.]
[Or] I would buy a big house if I won the lottery.

2. If I met the Queen of England, I would say hello.

[Or] I would say hello if I met the Queen of England.

3. If she were rich, she would travel all over the world.
[Or] She would travel all over the world if she were rich.

4. If she ever studied, she would pass the exam. [Note: She never studies, so this will not happen.]
[Or] She would pass the exam if she ever studied.

Second, we can use it to talk about something in the present which is impossible, because it's not true. Is
that clear? Have a look at the examples:

1. If I had his number, I would call him. [Note: I do not have his number now, so I cannot call him.]
[Or] I would call him if I had his number.

2. If I were you, I would not go out with that man.

[Or] I would not go with that man if I were you.

Usage: The Second Conditional is used to talk about a hypothetical (imaginary/supposed/unreal) condition
and its probable result. It indicates that an action could happen in the past but it did not happen.

4. The Third Conditional: The Third Conditional has the Past Perfect Tense in the ‘If Clause’ and 'would
have' + Past Participle in the ‘Main Clause’.

Structure 1: If Clause/Conditional Clause Main Clause

If + Past Perfect Tense + , (Comma) would have + Past Participle + Extension
[Or]
Structure 2: Main Clause If Clause/Conditional Clause
would have + Past Participle + Extension if + Past Perfect Tense

Examples:
(a) If she had studied, she would have passed the exam. [Really, she did not study and so she did not
pass.]
[Or] She would have passed the exam if she had studied.

(b) If I had not eaten so much, I would not have felt sick. [In fact, I did eat a lot, and so I did feel sick.]
[Or] I would not have felt sick if I had not eaten so much.

(c) If we had taken a taxi, we would not have missed the plane.
[Or] We would not have missed the plane if I had taken a taxi.

(d) If she had gone to bed earlier, she would not have been tired.
[Or] She would not have been tired if she had gone to bed earlier.

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(e) If he had left the house at nine, he would have been on time for the interview.
[Or] He would have been on time for the interview if he had left the house at nine.

Note: When the ‘Main Clause’ is used in the beginning, the Comma (,) is not used.

Usage: The Third Conditional talks about the past. It is used to describe an action that did not happen, and
to imagine the result of this action.

5. Mixed Conditional: It is possible for the two parts of a Conditional Sentence to refer to different times,
and the resulting sentence is a ‘Mixed Conditional’ or a ‘Mixed Conditional Sentence’.

Types: There are two types of Mixed Conditional Sentences. They are as follows.

(a) Present Result of a Past Condition

Form: In this type of Mixed Conditional sentence, the Tense in the 'If Clause’ is the Past Perfect, and the
Tense in the ‘Main Clause’ is the Present Conditional.

Structure If Clause/Conditional Clause Main Clause (Result)

1: (Condition)
If + Past Perfect Tense + , (Comma) Present Conditional (Subject + would +
Infinitive/Base Verb/Present Form of Verb)
[Or]
Structure Main Clause (Result) If Clause/Conditional Clause (Condition)
2: Present Conditional (Subject + would + if + Past Perfect Tense
Infinitive/Base Verb/Present Form of Verb)

Example:

Structure 1: If this thing had happened, that thing would happen.

Structure 2: That thing would happen if this thing had happened.

Note: As in all conditional sentences, the order of the clauses is not fixed. You may have to rearrange the
pronouns and adjust punctuation when you change the order of the clauses, but the meaning is identical.

More Examples:

1. If I had worked harder at school, I would have a better job now.

[Or] I would have a better job now if I had worked harder at school.

2. If we had looked at the map, we would not be lost.

[Or] We would not be lost if we had looked at the map.

3. If you had caught that plane, you would be dead now.

[Or] You would be dead now if you had caught that plane.

Function: This type of Mixed Conditional refers to an Unreal Past Condition and its Probable Result in the
Present. These sentences express a situation which is contrary to reality both in the Past and in the
Present. In these Mixed Conditional sentences, the time is the past in the ‘If Clause’ and in the Present in
the ‘Main Clause’.

More Examples:

1. If I had studied, I would have my driving license. [I did not study and now I do not have my license.]
[Or] I would have my driving license if I had studied.

2. If I had taken that job, I would be a millionaire now. [I did not take the job and I am not a millionaire.]
[Or] I would be a millionaire now if I had taken that job.
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3. If you had spent all your money, you would not buy this jacket. [You did not spend all your money and
now you can buy this jacket.]
[Or] You would not buy this jacket if you had spent all your money.

Note: In these Mixed Conditional Sentences, you can also use Modals (might, could) in the Main Clause
instead of would to express the degree of certainty, permission, or a recommendation about the outcome.

Examples:

1. If you had crashed the car, you might be in trouble.

[Or] You might be in trouble if you had crashed the car.

2. If I had invested in ABC Plumbing, I could be a millionaire now.

[Or] I could be a millionaire now if I had invested in ABC Plumbing.

3. If I had learned to ski, I might be on the slopes right now.

[Or] I might be on the slopes right now if I had learned to ski.

(b) Past Result of Present Condition or Continuing Condition

Form: In this second type of Mixed Conditional Sentences, the Tense in the 'If Clause’ is the Simple Past,
and the Tense in the ‘Main Clause’ is the Perfect Conditional.

Structure If Clause/Conditional Clause Main Clause (Result)

1: (Condition)
If + Simple Past Tense + , (Comma) Perfect Conditional (Subject + would have +
Past Participle Form of Verb)
[Or]
Structure Main Clause (Result) If Clause/Conditional Clause (Condition)
2: Perfect Conditional (Subject + would have if + Simple Past Tense
+ Past Participle Form of Verb)

Example:

Structure 1: If this thing happened, that thing would have happened.

Structure 2: That thing would have happened if this thing happened.

Note: As in all Conditional Sentences, the order of the clauses is not fixed. You may have to rearrange the
Pronouns and adjust punctuation when you change the order of the clauses, but the meaning is identical.

Examples:

1. If I was not afraid of spiders, I would have picked it up.

[Or] I would have picked it up if I was not afraid of spiders.

2. If we did not trust him, we would have sacked him months ago.
[Or] We would have sacked him months ago if we did not trust him.

3. If I was not in the middle of another meeting, I would have been happy to help you.
[Or] I would have been happy to help you if I was not in the middle of another meeting.

Function: These Mixed Conditional Sentences refer to an Unreal Present Situation and its Probable (but
Unreal) Past Result. In these Mixed Conditional Sentences, the time in the ‘If Clause’ is now or always and
the time in the ‘Main Clause’ is before now.

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For example, ‘If I was not afraid of spiders; is contrary to present reality. I am afraid of spiders. ‘I would
have picked it up’ is contrary to past reality. Actually, I did not pick it up.

More Examples:

1. If she was not afraid of flying, she would not have travelled by boat.
[Or] She would not have travelled by boat if she was not afraid of flying.

2. If my Italian was better, I would have been able to translate the letter.
[Or] I would have been able to translate the letter if my Italian was better.

3. If I was a good cook, I would have invited them to lunch.

[Or] I would have invited them to lunch if I was a good cook.

4. If the elephant was not in love with the mouse, she would have trodden on him by now.
[Or] she would have trodden on him by now if the elephant was not in love with the mouse.

More Discussion on Conditionals:

1. First Conditional vs. Zero Conditional: The First Conditional describes a particular situation, whereas
the Zero Conditional describes what happens in general. For example,

Examples:

(a) Zero Conditional: ‘If you sit in the sun, you get burned.’ Here, it describes that ‘every time a person sits
in the sun - the burning is a natural consequence of the sitting’. But,

(b) First Conditional: ‘If you sit in the sun, you will get burned.’ Here, it describes what will happen today,
another day might be different.

2. First vs. Second Conditional: The First Conditional describes things that I think are likely to happen in
the future, whereas the Second Conditional talks about things that I do not think will really happen. It is
subjective; it depends on my point of view.

For example,
First Conditional: If she studies harder, she will pass the exam. (I think it is possible she will study harder
and so she will pass.)

But,
Second Conditional: If she studied harder, she would pass the exam. (I think that she will not study
harder, or it is very unlikely, and so she will not pass.)

How is this different from the first conditional?

This kind of conditional sentence is different from the first conditional because this is a lot more unlikely.

For example,
Second Conditional: If I had enough money, I would buy a house with twenty bedrooms and a swimming
pool (I am probably not going to have this much money, it is just a dream, not very real.)

But,
First Conditional: If I have enough money, I will buy some new shoes. (It is much more likely that I will
have enough money to buy some shoes.)

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Class: 9; Subject: English Language; Paper: 1 & 2
Topics: Syllabus, Marks, Time, and Type of Questions

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Section A: Grammar (Paper 1)
Marks: 25; Time: 30 Minutes
Topics: (a) Conditionals
(b) Speech or Narration

Type of Questions: MCQ

Q1-Q25: Conditionals and Speech or Narration
Each question will have FOUR OPTIONS:
 ONE Correct and
 THREE Incorrect

Section B: Reading for Meaning (Paper 2)

Marks: 25; Time: 45 Minutes
Topics: (a) Question-Answer
(b) Word-Meaning

Type of Questions: MCQ

Q1-Q25: Question-Answer and Word-Meaning
Each question will have FOUR OPTIONS:
 ONE Correct and
 THREE Incorrect

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