Exploring Different Types of Conditional Sentences

Description Conditional Sentences

A conditional sentence in Indonesian means a sentence of supposition. They can be used to express cause and effect, the possibility of something happening, or a supposition that is unlikely to happen. Conditional sentences consist of four categories, and each category uses a different from. Nonetheless, every conditional sentence basically consist of an if clause and a main clause.

English Conditional

1. Conditional sentence type 0 (Zero type)

Conditional sentence type 0 is used to state the cause and effect of a well-known fact. If thing A happens, it will cause thing B.

Formula :

• If clause -> If + subject + verb 1 + object
• Main clause -> Subject + verb 1 + object

Example : 

• If you freeze water, it turns into ice
• If you freeze water, it turns into ice

The color blue text is verb 1

2. Conditional sentence type 1 (The first type)

Something that is very likely to happen in the future if we do something.

Formula :

• If clause -> If + subject + verb 1
• Main clause -> Subject + modals present + verb 1 + object

Example :

• If I wake up late, I will miss the bus
• If I wake up late, I will miss the bus

The color blue text is verb 1, while the color red text is the modals present.

3. Conditional sentence type 2 (The second type)

Something that is unrealistic or highly unlikely to happen. Therefore, this type is the right one to convey our expectations.

Formula :

• If clause -> If + subject + verb 2 + object
• Main clause -> Subject + modals past + verb + object

Example :

• If I were the president, I would be rich
• If I were the president, I would be rich

The color blue text is verb 1 and verb 2 while the color red text is the modal past.

4. Conditional sentence type 3 (The third type) 

type 3 is used to convey a supposition of an event that has already happened in the past. This is because the event has already happened and cannot be changed, we can only express the supposition of what would have happened if the event had gone differently from what actually happened.

Formula : 

• If clause -> If + subject + have past + verb 3 + object
• Main clause -> Subject + modals past + have present + verb 3 + object

Example :

• If I had seen him at the meeting, I would have asked him
• If I had seen him at the meeting, I would have asked him

The color blue text is to have past and verb 3, while the color red is to have present and verb 3.

The Function Conditional Sentences

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• as imperative
• as suggestion
• as general truth
• as a dream

Example :

• If he has free time now, clean the house (Imprative)
• If the has free time now, he had better do homework (Suggestion)
• If the has free time now, it mean he is relaxing (General truth)
• If the has free time now, I will sleep (Dream)