Grade 7 English: Conditional sentences poster

1What is a conditional sentence?

A conditional sentence has an if clause (the condition) and a main clause (the result). When the if clause comes first, a comma follows it.

2Zero conditional

Facts that are always true. Use if + present, present.

3First conditional

A real or likely situation in the future. Use if + present, will + verb.

4Second conditional

An imaginary or unlikely situation now. Use if + past, would + verb. We often say If I were you.

5Third conditional

An imaginary situation in the past that cannot be changed. Use if + past perfect, would have + past participle.

6Tips

• Unless means if not: Unless it rains, we will play outside.
• Do not use will or would in the if clause.
• The clauses can swap places. No comma is needed when the if clause is second: We will play if the sun shines.