Definition of the Third Conditional

The Third Conditional is used to describe a past situation that did not happen and a past event that did not happen as a result. They can be used to express a missed opportunity.
The important thing about the third conditional is that both the condition and result are impossible now.

How to form the Third Conditional

Examples of the Third Conditional

More example and explanations of the Third Conditional

If he had studied, he would have passed the exam – He did not study and that is probably why he did not pass the exam.
If we had left home earlier, we would not have missed our train. – We did not leave earlier and because of this, we missed our train.

As with all conditional sentences, the order of the clauses can be changed. However, you may have to rearrange the pronouns and correct the punctuation.

The Second Conditional

Definition of the second conditional

The second conditional is used to describe an imaginary or highly improbable situation and its imaginary result in the present or future.

How to form the second conditional

Examples of the second conditional

More example and explanations of the second conditional

If I had her number, I would call her – An imaginary situation as I don’t have her number.

If I wasn’t doing my homework now, I would be watching TV – I am doing my homework, but I am imagining an alternative activity that I would be doing if I wasn’t doing my homework (watch TV).- This example is using the past continuous tense

As with all conditional sentences, the order of the clauses can be changed. However, you may have to rearrange the pronouns and correct the punctuation..

Here are some more examples of the second conditional.

1. If I had enough money, I would buy a big house.

(This implies that currently, I do not have enough money, but if the situation were different, I would buy a house.)

2. If I studied harder, I would pass the exam.

(This suggests that I am not studying hard enough at the moment, but if I did, then I would probably pass the  e.)

3. If it rained tomorrow, we would cancel the barbecue.

(This is a hypothetical situation about the future, assuming that rain is unlikely but possible. If it did happen, the barbecue would be canceled.)

4. If we lived closer to grandmother, we would visit her more often.

(Here, it implies we currently live far away from grandmother, but if we lived closer, we would visit her more often)

What is a conditional sentence?

Conditional sentences are sentences that discuss known factors or hypothetical situations and their consequences.

A conditional sentence consists of two clauses: the condition or if-clause and the main or result clause.

Overview conditional sentences

There are five main types of conditional sentences.

The Zero Conditional: (if + present simple, … present simple)

The First Conditional: (if + present simple, … will + infinitive)

The Second Conditional: (if + past simple, … would + infinitive)

The Third Conditional. (if + past perfect, … would + have + past participle)

Mixed Conditional. (if + Present conditional… Past perfect)

The First Conditional

In English, we use the First Conditional to express a possible situation with a result in the future.  It describes events that are likely to happen if certain conditions are met.

There are two clauses used when forming a First Conditional sentence

• Condition Clause: This part of the sentence says what the condition has to be and uses the present simple tense.
• Result Clause: This part says what will happen if the first clause is fulfilled, and it uses “will” followed by the base form of the verb.

How to form the First Conditional

Examples of the First Conditional

Like with all conditional sentences, the order of the clauses can be changed. However, you may have to rearrange the pronouns and correct the punctuation..

English Grammar – Hypothesis – Explanations with examples

In English grammar, we use the term “hypotheses” (the plural of “hypothesis”) to describe explanations or theories that are subject to testing and validation. Although it is more commonly used in scientific contexts, in English grammar, it is used via conditional statements or situations that are imagined or considered for discussion.

Hypotheses are often formed by using conditional clauses, typically using “if” and “then.” For example: “If it snows, then we will go skiing” Here, the hypothesis is the condition that needs to be fulfilled (it will snow) to reach a conclusion (go skiing).

Expressions commonly used when forming Hypothesis sentences

• What…if?
• In case
• Suppose – that
• Supposing – that
• Imagine – if/that

Examples of Hypothesis sentences

• We use  present tense forms when we want to talk about the present or future if we think something is probably  true or is going to happen:

We should phone them in case they are lost.

• We use  past tense forms when we want to talk about the present or future to suggest something is probably not  true or will not happen:

Imagine you won the lottery. What would you buy with the money?
What if he lost his job? What would happen then?

• with the past perfect to talk about things in the past which did not happen:

Suppose you hadn’t passed your exams. What would you have done?
What if we discovered life on another planet? What do you think they would look like

In English, the word “wish” generally refers to expressions of hope or desire for something that isn’t currently true or possible at the moment. In other words, talk about things which we want but which are not possible to have at present.

These expressions often use a specific verb form or grammatical structure in English, commonly involving the word “wish.” 

When expressing wishes about the present or future, a subjunctive form or a past simple tense is often used, even though the tense might not match the actual time frame: Note: The subjunctive form is a verb mood used to express wishes, hypothetical situations, demands, or suggestions

• Present Wishes: When talking about something in the present that you wish were different, we use the past simple tense. For example: “I wish I had some money.” (But I don’t have any money.). Note: We use the past tense even though we are talking in the present.
  
• Wishes about the Future: For things we wish would change in the future, It is formed as follows:   “would” + base verb. For example: “I wish it would stop snowing.” (But it might keep snowing.)
• Past Wishes: When referring to things or regrets you wish had been different in the past, use the past perfect tense. For example: “I wish I had practised more for my driving test.” (But I didn’t practise a lot.)

This sentence expresses regret about not practising more in the past, using “had practised,” which is the past perfect form.

These structures allow English speakers to convey their wishes for things to be different than they currently are, whether in the past, future, or present.