It can be concluded that conditional sentence is sentence that consist of two clauses ; that are independent clause and subordinate clause, it is used to express wish, hope,
and plan that may be possible or impossible.
2. Type of Conditional Sentence
Thompson and Martinet state that there are three kinds of conditional sentence in English. Each kind contains a different pair of tenses.
25
Conditional sentence type 1 is often called as future-possible condition; conditional type 2 is often called as present
unreal condition. Here is the table of conditional sentence:
Table 2 Conditional Sentence type I
SITUATION IF-CLAUSE
RESULT CLAUSE EXAMPLES
True in the Presentfuture
Simple Present Simple Present
will+simple form If I have enough time, I
watch TV every evening. b if I have enough time, I
will watch TV later on tonight.
Untrue in the presentfuture
Simple past Would + simple form
c If I had enough time, I would watch TV now or
later o. Untrue in the past
Past perfect Would have + past
participle If I had enough time, I
would have watched TV yesterday.
Source: Betty S. Azar, Understanding and Using English Grammar, 2000
25
A. J Thompson and A.V Martinet, A Practical English Grammar New York: Oxford University Press, 1986, p.131
a. Conditional Sentence Type 1
Conditional Sentence type 1 is a sentence that expresses a future-possible condition refers to an action that may or may not take place in the future. The present tense of
the verb is used in the-if clause, and the future tense is used in the main clause.
26
I n this type, it is possible to fulfill the conditional expressed in the “if-clause”. The
verb in the if-clause is in the present tenses; the verb in the main clause is in the future simple. It doesn‟t matter which come first.
27
Example :
If Bert comes, I will give him the message. He will not go to the picnic if it rains.
28
Other explanation about conditional type 1 is also explained by Azar. Here is her explanation:
In conditional sentences that express true, factual ideas in the presentfuture, the simple present not the simple future is used in the if-clause. The result clause has
various possible verb forms. A result clause verb can be: 1. The simple present, to express a habitual activity or situation:
If I don‟t eat breakfast, I always get hungry during class.
2. Either the simple present or the simple future to express an established, predictable fact or general truth:
Water freezes or will freeze if the temperature reaches 32°F 0°C.
3. The simple future, to express a particular activity or situation in the future :
If I don‟t eat breakfast tomorrow morning, I will get hungry during class.
29 26
George E. Wishon and Julia M. burk, Op.Cit. p.249
27
A. J Thompson and A.V Martinet, Op.Cit. p.131
28
George E. Wishon and Julia M. burk, Loc.Cit.
