What would you do if you were rich?

What do I mean? It’s a confusing sentence.

That question is asking you to do two things: (1) imagine that you’re rich and (2) imagine what you will do as a rich person.

You can reply: “If I were rich, I would fly first class to Hawaii. I would buy a car! I would travel all over the world.”

But don’t get too excited, it’s all imaginary.

You’re not rich. It’s all in your mind!

In English grammar, this kind of imaginary sentence is called a conditional sentence.

We use conditionals to talk about imaginary situations in the past, present and future.

We use conditionals for situations that might happen in the future, or situations that might never happen.

We use conditionals for actions in the past that cannot be changed.

Conditionals are a little difficult to master, but they’re extremely useful to learn.

Luckily, with some basic knowledge and a lot of practice, you will soon be able to use conditionals as if you were a native English speaker.

Imagine This: You Can Understand English Conditional Sentences in 5 Steps

1. Listen for would and if

All conditionals use the word if, and often at the start of the sentence.

When you’re listening or reading in English and the word if appears, there’s a strong chance that it’s a conditional sentence.

Next, listen or look for the word would. Not all conditional sentences contain the word would, but most do. Some conditionals use will instead of would, so look out for that word too.

If you see if and would/will in one sentence, you know you have a conditional sentence to deal with.

2. Break up the sentence into simple pieces

Once you recognize a conditional sentence, you can make it easier to understand by separating it into two clauses (two main parts of the sentence).

The two clauses of a conditional sentence are: (1) the if clause and (2) thewould (or will) clause.

Here’s another example of a conditional sentence.

• If you exercised every day, you would be so fit.

Break up the sentence into two parts, separated by the comma in the middle.

• If you exercised every day, (first clause)
• you would be so fit. (second clause)

Now it should be easier to understand. The if clause is the condition—it’s the thing that must happen first.

The would clause can only happen as a result of the if clause. You would only be fit if you exercised every day. If you don’t exercise, you will not be fit.

Fitness, like English, requires hard work.

3. Learn the different types of conditional sentences

There are three basic types of conditional sentences, and they are namedtype 1, type 2, and type 3.

Luckily, the names are at least easy to remember.

Each type of conditional sentence has slightly different grammar and has a different purpose.

Type 1 conditional:

A type 1 conditional is a possible situation which could happen.

We use type 1 conditionals to express realistic situations, plans and things that are very likely to happen if we do something. Unlike the previous examples, a type 1 conditional uses will instead of would. Usually this conditional uses present tense verbs in both clauses too.

• If I eat all the chocolate, I will feel sick tomorrow.

In that example, I’m imagining a situation that will certainly happen. I willdefinitely feel sick tomorrow if I eat all that chocolate. Maybe I shouldn’t eat that chocolate, then.

• If I study hard, I will pass the exam.

Hard work pays off. Passing an exam is the likely result of studying hard.