Conditional Sentences A conditional sentence describes the condition that is necessary for a particular result to occur. The conjunctions if, even if, when, whenever, whether, and unless often appear in conditional sentences. The meaning of a conditional sentence determines which verb tenses needs to be used in the independent and subordinate clauses. ►Use conditional sentences to express a general or habitual fact. In this type of conditional sentence, the verb tense in each clause is the same. General fact: Habitual fact: When I touch an ice cube, it feels cold. Whenever I touched an ice cube, it felt cold.

►Use conditional sentences make predictions about the future, or express future intentions or possibilities. In this type of conditional sentence, the subordinate clause contains a present-tense verb and the independent clause contains the modal can, may, might, should, or will) plus the base form of the verb. Prediction: Intention: Possibility: If I win the lottery, I can go to Paris. If I win the lottery, I will go to Paris. If I win the lottery, I might go to Paris.

►Use conditional sentences to speculate about the future result of a possible but unlikely condition in the present. In this type of conditional sentence, the subordinate clause contains the past tense of the verb, and the independent clause contains the modal would, could, or might, plus the base for of the verb. Speculation: If I won the lottery, I would go to Paris. If I won the lottery, I would go to Paris.

Unlikely present condition: Future result:

►Use conditional sentences to speculate about the past result of a condition that did not happen in the past. In this type of conditional sentence, the subordinate clause contains the past perfect tense of the verb, and the independent clause contains the modal would have, could have, or might have, plus the past participle.