Conditionals are sentences with two clauses – an ‘if clause and a main clause – that are closely related. Conditional sentences are often divided into different types.

?條件從句是一個句子里有兩個從句—“一個if 從句和一個主句”—兩個句子連在你一起。條件從句經(jīng)常被分為各類。

Zero conditional 零條件

We use the zero conditional to talk about things that are always true. 我們用零條件從句談?wù)撘恍┯肋h是真的事實。
? If you heat water, it boils.
? When the sun goes down, it gets dark.
? It lights up if you push that button.

The present simple is used in both clauses. 這種情況，兩個從句都用一般現(xiàn)在時。

First conditional 第一條件

We use the first conditional when we talk about real and possible situations. 我們用第一條件句談?wù)撜鎸嵉暮涂赡艿恼埧睢?/span>
? I’ll go shopping on the way home if I have time.
? If it’s a nice day tomorrow we’ll go to the beach.
? If Arsenal win they’ll be top of the league.

In first conditional sentences, the structure is usually if + present simple and will + infinitive. It’s not important which clause comes first. 在第一條件句子里，句型結(jié)構(gòu)經(jīng)常是 if+一般現(xiàn)在時和will +不定式。 至于哪個條件先出現(xiàn)不重要。

Second conditional 第二條件

The second conditional is used to talk about ‘unreal’ or impossible things. 第二條件句是用來談?wù)摗安徽鎸嵉摹被蛘卟豢赡艿氖虑椤?/span>
? If I won a lot of money I’d buy a big house in the country.
? Where would you live if you could live anywhere in the world?
? If you didn’t smoke so much you’d feel a lot better.

The structure is usually if + past simple and would + infinitive. It’s not important which clause comes first. 句型結(jié)構(gòu)經(jīng)常是 if+一般過去時 和 would+不定式

Look at the difference between the first and second conditionals. 看看第一條件句和第二條件句的區(qū)別。

? In January: If it snows tomorrow I’ll go skiing. It might snow tomorrow.
? In August: If it snowed tomorrow I’d go skiing. It almost certainly won’t snow tomorrow.

注意：NOTE: Although many conditional sentences use if + will/would, conditional sentences can also use other words instead of ‘if’ – e.g. ‘when’ ‘a(chǎn)s soon as’ ‘in case’ Other modal verbs can be used instead of ‘will/would’ – e.g. ‘can/could’, ‘may’ ‘might’.

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Other types of conditional sentences are covered in another section. 我們下一次會講更多的條件句。