Conditional sentences are a cornerstone of English grammar, allowing us to express hypothetical situations and their potential consequences. One common area of confusion involves the correct verb forms to use, particularly when the subject is singular and requires the addition of an ‘s’ in the present simple tense.
This article provides a comprehensive guide to using verbs with ‘s’ correctly in conditional sentences, covering various types of conditionals, common errors, and practical exercises to help you master this essential grammatical skill. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and confidence to construct accurate and nuanced conditional sentences.
This article is designed for English language learners of all levels, from beginners to advanced speakers. It will also benefit teachers who need a clear and concise resource for explaining conditional sentences to their students.
By the end of this guide, you’ll be able to confidently construct conditional sentences using the correct verb forms, avoiding common errors and expressing complex ideas with precision.
Table of Contents
- Definition of Conditional Sentences
- Structural Breakdown of Conditional Sentences
- Types of Conditional Sentences
- Examples of Conditional Sentences
- Usage Rules for Verbs with ‘S’ in Conditionals
- Common Mistakes with Verbs with ‘S’ in Conditionals
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics in Conditional Sentences
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Definition of Conditional Sentences
A conditional sentence expresses a situation that depends on a condition. In simpler terms, it’s a statement that describes what will or might happen if something else happens. Conditional sentences consist of two clauses: the if clause (also known as the conditional clause) and the main clause (also known as the result clause). The if clause states the condition, while the main clause states the consequence of that condition being met.
Conditional sentences are used to discuss possibilities, hypothetical scenarios, and potential outcomes. They are crucial for expressing cause-and-effect relationships, making predictions, and offering advice.
Understanding how to construct conditional sentences correctly is essential for clear and effective communication in English.
The classification of conditional sentences relies on the degree of probability or certainty of the condition and its result. Each type of conditional uses specific verb tenses to convey the intended meaning.
The correct use of verb tenses, including the addition of ‘s’ to verbs in the present simple tense when necessary, is vital for grammatical accuracy.
Structural Breakdown of Conditional Sentences
The basic structure of a conditional sentence is as follows:
If + clause (condition), main clause (result)
The ‘if’ clause typically begins with the word “if,” but it can also start with other words or phrases such as “unless,” “provided that,” “as long as,” or “in case.” The main clause expresses the outcome that will occur if the condition in the ‘if’ clause is met. The order of the clauses can be reversed, but when the ‘if’ clause comes second, a comma is not usually used.
Main clause (result) if + clause (condition)
The tense of the verbs in both the ‘if’ clause and the main clause is crucial for determining the type of conditional sentence and the meaning it conveys. It is here that the correct use of ‘s’ with verbs becomes paramount when the subject of the ‘if’ clause is singular in the present simple tense.
For example, consider this sentence: “If he studies hard, he will pass the exam.” Here, “he studies” is in the present simple tense, and the ‘s’ is correctly added to the verb “study” because the subject is “he.” The main clause, “he will pass the exam,” uses the future simple tense.
Types of Conditional Sentences
There are five main types of conditional sentences in English, each with its own structure and usage:
Zero Conditional
The zero conditional is used to express general truths, scientific facts, and habits. It describes situations where the result always happens when the condition is met.
Both the ‘if’ clause and the main clause use the present simple tense.
If + present simple, present simple
Example: If water reaches 100 degrees Celsius, it boils.
First Conditional
The first conditional is used to talk about possible situations in the future. It describes a likely outcome if a certain condition is fulfilled.
The ‘if’ clause uses the present simple tense, while the main clause uses the future simple tense (will + base form of the verb).
If + present simple, will + base form
Example: If it rains tomorrow, I will stay at home.
Second Conditional
The second conditional is used to talk about hypothetical or improbable situations in the present or future. It describes what would happen if something were different.
The ‘if’ clause uses the past simple tense, and the main clause uses “would” + base form of the verb.
If + past simple, would + base form
Example: If I won the lottery, I would travel the world.
Third Conditional
The third conditional is used to talk about hypothetical situations in the past. It describes what would have happened if something had been different.
The ‘if’ clause uses the past perfect tense, and the main clause uses “would have” + past participle.
If + past perfect, would have + past participle
Example: If I had studied harder, I would have passed the exam.
Mixed Conditional
Mixed conditionals combine different parts of the second and third conditionals to talk about unreal situations in the past and their present consequences, or unreal situations in the present and their past consequences.
Type 1: If + past perfect, would + base form (Past condition, present result)
Example: If I had listened to my parents, I would be a doctor now.
Type 2: If + past simple, would have + past participle (Present/hypothetical condition, past result)
Example: If I were taller, I would have been a basketball player.
Examples of Conditional Sentences
To further illustrate the use of verbs with ‘s’ in conditional sentences, let’s examine specific examples for each type of conditional.
Zero Conditional Examples
The following table provides examples of zero conditional sentences, highlighting the use of the present simple tense in both clauses. Notice how the ‘s’ is added to the verb in the ‘if’ clause when the subject is singular.
| If Clause | Main Clause |
|---|---|
| If he eats too much, | he feels sick. |
| If she studies hard, | she gets good grades. |
| If it rains, | the ground gets wet. |
| If the sun shines, | it gets warm. |
| If he misses the bus, | he is late for work. |
| If she drinks coffee, | she stays awake. |
| If it freezes, | the water turns to ice. |
| If he works late, | he gets tired. |
| If she exercises regularly, | she stays healthy. |
| If it snows, | the roads become slippery. |
| If he forgets his keys, | he can’t enter the house. |
| If she arrives early, | she has time to relax. |
| If it gets dark, | we turn on the lights. |
| If he smokes, | he coughs. |
| If she teaches well, | her students understand the lesson. |
| If it rains heavily, | there is flooding. |
| If he cooks dinner, | everyone is happy. |
| If she sings beautifully, | people applaud. |
| If it happens again, | I will report it. |
| If he lies , | nobody believes him. |
| If she dances gracefully, | she wins the competition. |
| If it breaks, | I will fix it. |
| If he calls me, | I answer. |
| If she writes a letter, | she puts it in the mailbox. |
| If it starts, | we will stop it. |
| If he stops, | we will start. |
First Conditional Examples
The following table provides examples of first conditional sentences. The ‘if’ clause uses the present simple tense (with ‘s’ for singular subjects), and the main clause uses “will” + base form.
| If Clause | Main Clause |
|---|---|
| If he studies, | he will pass the exam. |
| If she works hard, | she will get a promotion. |
| If it rains, | I will take an umbrella. |
| If he arrives late, | he will miss the meeting. |
| If she finishes her work early, | she will go home. |
| If it snows, | the school will be closed. |
| If he calls, | I will answer. |
| If she visits us, | we will be happy. |
| If it breaks, | I will fix it. |
| If he forgets his wallet, | he will not be able to pay. |
| If she loses her keys, | she will be locked out. |
| If it happens again, | I will report it. |
| If he cooks dinner, | we will eat well. |
| If she sings, | everyone will enjoy it. |
| If it starts to rain, | we will go inside. |
| If he stops smoking, | he will feel healthier. |
| If she learns to drive, | she will buy a car. |
| If it gets cold, | I will wear a jacket. |
| If he asks for help, | I will assist him. |
| If she needs money, | I will lend her some. |
| If he plays well, | they will win the game. |
| If she reads the instructions, | she will understand. |
| If it works, | we will use it. |
| If he agrees, | we will proceed. |
| If she believes it, | she will be surprised. |
| If it hurts, | stop immediately. |
Second Conditional Examples
The following table provides examples of second conditional sentences. The ‘if’ clause uses the past simple tense, and the main clause uses “would” + base form.
| If Clause | Main Clause |
|---|---|
| If he studied, | he would pass the exam. |
| If she worked harder, | she would get a promotion. |
| If it rained, | I would stay inside. |
| If he were rich, | he would travel the world. |
| If she knew the answer, | she would tell us. |
| If it snowed, | school would be canceled. |
| If he had more time, | he would learn to play the guitar. |
| If she won the lottery, | she would buy a new house. |
| If it were possible, | I would fly to the moon. |
| If he spoke English fluently, | he would get a better job. |
| If she lived in Paris, | she would visit the Louvre every week. |
| If it didn’t cost so much, | I would buy it. |
| If he tried harder, | he would succeed. |
| If she understood the problem, | she would solve it. |
| If it were warmer, | we would go to the beach. |
| If he knew her number, | he would call her. |
| If she liked him, | she would go out with him. |
| If it were easy, | everyone would do it. |
| If he had a car, | he would drive us there. |
| If she had more confidence, | she would speak up. |
| If he didn’t have to work, | he would travel. |
| If she didn’t live so far away, | I would see her more often. |
| If it weren’t raining, | we could go for a walk. |
| If he listened to advice, | he would make better decisions. |
| If she believed in herself, | she would achieve her goals. |
Third Conditional Examples
The following table provides examples of third conditional sentences. The ‘if’ clause uses the past perfect tense, and the main clause uses “would have” + past participle.
| If Clause | Main Clause |
|---|---|
| If he had studied, | he would have passed the exam. |
| If she had worked harder, | she would have gotten a promotion. |
| If it had rained, | the crops would have been saved. |
| If he had arrived on time, | he wouldn’t have missed the beginning. |
| If she had listened to my advice, | she wouldn’t have made that mistake. |
| If it had snowed, | school would have been cancelled. |
| If he had known the answer, | he would have told us. |
| If she had won the lottery, | she would have bought a mansion. |
| If it had been possible, | I would have visited you. |
| If he had spoken clearly, | we would have understood him. |
| If she had driven carefully, | she wouldn’t have had an accident. |
| If it hadn’t been so expensive, | I would have bought it. |
| If he had tried harder, | he would have succeeded. |
| If she had understood the instructions, | she would have completed the task correctly. |
| If it had been warmer, | we would have gone swimming. |
| If he had called me, | I would have helped him. |
| If she had asked for help, | I would have assisted her. |
| If it hadn’t rained, | we would have had a picnic. |
| If he had saved more money, | he could have bought the car. |
| If she hadn’t been so tired, | she would have gone to the party. |
| If he had taken the job, | he would have been living in New York. |
| If she had been on time, | she wouldn’t have missed the train. |
| If it had been nearby, | we would have walked. |
| If he had known about it, | he would have told us. |
| If she had agreed, | we would have signed the contract. |
Mixed Conditional Examples
The following table provides examples of mixed conditional sentences.
| If Clause | Main Clause |
|---|---|
| If I had studied harder, | I would have a better job now. (Past condition, present result) |
| If I were rich, | I would have bought that car yesterday. (Present condition, past result) |
| If she hadn’t missed the bus, | she wouldn’t be late for work now. (Past condition, present result) |
| If he weren’t afraid of heights, | he would have climbed the tower. (Present condition, past result) |
| If they had listened to the weather forecast, | they wouldn’t be stuck in the storm now. (Past condition, present result) |
| If she spoke French fluently, | she would have understood the movie. (Present condition, past result) |
| If I hadn’t eaten so much, | I wouldn’t feel sick now. (Past condition, present result) |
| If he were more organized, | he wouldn’t have missed the deadline. (Present condition, past result) |
| If she had taken the job offer, | she would be living in London now. (Past condition, present result) |
| If he knew how to fix it, | he would have repaired it already. (Present condition, past result) |
| If they had saved their money, | they wouldn’t be in debt now. (Past condition, present result) |
| If she were a better cook, | she would have made a delicious meal last night. (Present condition, past result) |
| If I had gone to university, | I would be earning more money now. (Past condition, present result) |
| If he were more confident, | he would have asked her out on a date. (Present condition, past result) |
| If she hadn’t overslept, | she wouldn’t be rushing now. (Past condition, present result) |
| If he were a doctor, | he would have known what to do. (Present condition, past result) |
| If they had booked the tickets earlier, | they wouldn’t be paying such a high price now. (Past condition, present result) |
| If she were more patient, | she wouldn’t have lost her temper yesterday. (Present condition, past result) |
| If I had listened to your advice, | I wouldn’t be in this mess now. (Past condition, present result) |
Usage Rules for Verbs with ‘S’ in Conditionals
The addition of ‘s’ to verbs in conditional sentences follows the same rules as in any other sentence using the present simple tense. Here’s a summary of the key rules:
- Singular Subjects: When the subject of the verb is singular (he, she, it, or a singular noun), add ‘s’ to the base form of the verb in the present simple tense. For example: “If he studies, he will pass.”
- Plural Subjects: When the subject is plural (we, you, they, or a plural noun), do not add ‘s’ to the base form of the verb. For example: “If they study, they will pass.”
- I and You: Even though “I” and “you” refer to individuals, they take the base form of the verb without ‘s’. For example: “If I study, I will pass.” “If you study, you will pass.”
- Negative Sentences: In negative sentences, use “does not” (doesn’t) + base form of the verb for singular subjects and “do not” (don’t) + base form of the verb for plural subjects. For example: “If he doesn’t study, he will fail.” “If they don’t study, they will fail.”
- Questions: In questions, use “does” + subject + base form of the verb for singular subjects and “do” + subject + base form of the verb for plural subjects. For example: “If does he study, will he pass?” “If do they study, will they pass?”
These rules apply primarily to the zero and first conditional sentences, where the present simple tense is used in the ‘if’ clause. In other conditional types, different verb tenses are used, and the rules for adding ‘s’ may not apply.
Common Mistakes with Verbs with ‘S’ in Conditionals
One of the most common mistakes is forgetting to add ‘s’ to the verb when the subject is singular in the present simple tense. Here are some examples of common errors and their corrections:
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| If he study, he will pass. | If he studies, he will pass. | The verb “study” needs an ‘s’ because the subject is “he.” |
| If she work hard, she will succeed. | If she works hard, she will succeed. | The verb “work” needs an ‘s’ because the subject is “she.” |
| If it rain, I will stay inside. | If it rains, I will stay inside. | The verb “rain” needs an ‘s’ because the subject is “it.” |
| If he not study, he will fail. | If he doesn’t study, he will fail. | Use “doesn’t” instead of “not” for negative sentences with singular subjects. |
| If she don’t work hard, she won’t succeed. | If she doesn’t work hard, she won’t succeed. | Use “doesn’t” instead of “don’t” for negative sentences with singular subjects. |
| If he studies hard, he will gets good grades. | If he studies hard, he will get good grades. | The main clause “will get” doesn’t need an ‘s’. |
Another common mistake is using the wrong tense in the ‘if’ clause or the main clause. Always double-check the verb tenses to ensure they match the type of conditional sentence you are using.
Practice Exercises
To solidify your understanding of using verbs with ‘s’ in conditional sentences, complete the following exercises.
Exercise 1: Identifying Correct Verb Forms
Choose the correct verb form in the following conditional sentences.
| Question | Options | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| If he ______ (study/studies) hard, he will pass the test. | a) study b) studies | b) studies |
| If she ______ (work/works) overtime, she will earn more money. | a) work b) works | b) works |
| If it ______ (rain/rains), we will stay at home. | a) rain b) rains | b) rains |
| If he ______ (miss/misses) the bus, he will be late. | a) miss b) misses | b) misses |
| If she ______ (finish/finishes) her work, she will go home. | a) finish b) finishes | b) finishes |
| If it ______ (snow/snows), school will be cancelled. | a) snow b) snows | b) snows |
| If he ______ (call/calls) me, I will answer. | a) call b) calls | b) calls |
| If she ______ (visit/visits) us, we will be happy. | a) visit b) visits | b) visits |
| If it ______ (break/breaks), I will fix it. | a) break b) breaks | b) breaks |
| If he ______ (forget/forgets) his keys, he can’t enter. | a) forget b) forgets | b) forgets |
Exercise 2: Completing Conditional Sentences
Complete the following conditional sentences using the correct form of the verb in parentheses.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| If he ______ (eat) too much, he feels sick. | eats |
| If she ______ (study) hard, she will get good grades. | studies |
| If it ______ (rain), the ground gets wet. | rains |
| If he ______ (miss) the train, he will be late for work. | misses |
| If she ______ (drink) coffee, she stays awake. | drinks |
| If it ______ (freeze), the water turns to ice. | freezes |
| If he ______ (work) late, he gets tired. | works |
| If she ______ (exercise) regularly, she stays healthy. | exercises |
| If it ______ (snow), the roads become slippery. | snows |
| If he ______ (forget) his keys, he can’t enter the house. | forgets |
Exercise 3: Error Correction
Identify and correct the errors in the following conditional sentences.
| Incorrect | Correct |
|---|---|
| If he study, he will pass. | If he studies, he will pass. |
| If she work hard, she will succeed. | If she works hard, she will succeed. |
| If it rain, I will stay inside. | If it rains, I will stay inside. |
| If he not study, he will fail. | If he doesn’t study, he will fail. |
| If she don’t work hard, she won’t succeed. | If she doesn’t work hard, she won’t succeed. |
| If he studies hard, he will gets good grades. | If he studies hard, he will get good grades. |
| If she practices the piano, she become good at it. | If she practices the piano, she becomes good at it. |
| If the dog bark, the neighbours complain. | If the dog barks, the neighbours complain. |
| If he eat too much sugar, he feel sick. | If he eats
too much sugar, he feels sick. |
Advanced Topics in Conditional Sentences
Beyond the basic structures, conditional sentences can be made more complex and nuanced. Here are some advanced topics to explore:
- Inversion in Conditional Sentences: In formal English, the ‘if’ can be omitted, and the auxiliary verb is placed at the beginning of the clause. For example: “Were I to know the answer, I would tell you” (instead of “If I were to know the answer…”).
- Using ‘Should’ in First Conditional Sentences: ‘Should’ can be used in the ‘if’ clause to express a lower degree of certainty. For example: “If it should rain, we will cancel the picnic.”
- Using ‘Were to’ in Second Conditional Sentences: ‘Were to’ can be used to emphasize the hypothetical nature of the condition. For example: “If I were to win the lottery, I would donate to charity.”
- Implied Conditionals: Sometimes the ‘if’ clause is not explicitly stated but is implied from the context. For example: “I wouldn’t have come if I knew you were busy.” (Implies: If I had known you were busy, I wouldn’t have come.)
- Mixing Conditionals with Other Grammatical Structures: Conditional sentences can be combined with other grammatical structures, such as relative clauses or passive voice, to create more complex and sophisticated sentences.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do I use ‘s’ with verbs in conditional sentences?
You use ‘s’ with verbs in the present simple tense when the subject is singular (he, she, it) in the ‘if’ clause of zero and first conditional sentences.
What if the subject is a plural noun?
If the subject is a plural noun, you do not add ‘s’ to the verb. For example: “If students study hard, they will succeed.”
What about negative sentences?
In negative sentences, use “doesn’t” + base form of the verb for singular subjects and “don’t” + base form of the verb for plural subjects. For example: “If he doesn’t study, he will fail.”
Can I reverse the order of the clauses?
Yes, you can reverse the order of the clauses, but when the ‘if’ clause comes second, a comma is not usually used. For example: “I will stay home if it rains.”
Are there other words besides ‘if’ that can introduce a conditional clause?
Yes, you can use words or phrases such as “unless,” “provided that,” “as long as,” or “in case” to introduce a conditional clause.
Conclusion
Mastering the use of verbs with ‘s’ in conditional sentences is essential for accurate and effective communication in English. By understanding the different types of conditionals, following the usage rules, and avoiding common mistakes, you can confidently construct complex and nuanced sentences to express hypothetical situations and their potential outcomes.
Practice the exercises provided in this guide, and continue to explore advanced topics to further enhance your understanding of conditional sentences. With consistent effort, you will be able to use conditional sentences with precision and fluency.