Conditional sentences are used to express conditions that are real or unreal, while subjunctive sentences are used to express unreal situations or actions that have not yet taken place. In the English language, most conditional sentences contain the word ‘if,’ and subjunctive sentences are introduced by the word ‘wish.’ Both types of sentences are mainly used to describe hypothetical situations or situations that have not yet occurred.
Key Takeaways
- Conditional sentences express conditions that are real or unreal, while subjunctive sentences express unreal situations or actions that have not yet taken place.
- Conditional sentences usually contain the word ‘if,’ while subjunctive sentences are introduced by the word ‘wish.’
- There are three types of conditional sentences: Conditional Type 1 (probable situations), Type 2 (unlikely situations), and Type 3 (impossible situations).
What is Conditional Sentence?
Conditional sentences are used to describe hypothetical events, both real and unreal. In the English language, most conditional sentences contain the word ‘if.’ A conditional sentence consists of two clauses: the main clause (consequent) and the dependent clause (antecedent). The main clause expresses the consequence or result, while the dependent clause expresses the condition. There are mainly two types of conditional sentences: implicative and predictive.
Implicative Conditional Sentences are also known as factual conditional sentences and express an implication. They are used to express universal statements, certainties, or laws of science. Examples of implicative conditional sentences include “If the sea is stormy, the waves are high” and “If you heat water to 100 degrees, it boils.”
Predictive Conditional Sentences are based on hypothetical yet entirely probable future situations. Examples of predictive conditional sentences include “If you see the enemy, shoot!” and “Will you go to the party if she invites you?”
Conditional sentences can be categorized into three types:
Conditional Type 1 – for Probable Situations: “if” + [Simple Present], “will” + [Verb]
Conditional Type 2 – for Unlikely Situations: “if” + [Simple Past], “would” + [Verb]
Conditional Type 3 – for Impossible Situations: “if” + [Past Perfect], “would have” + [Past Participle]
What is Subjunctive Sentence?
Subjunctive sentences are used to express hypothetical, unrealistic states or situations not necessarily real, such as opinion, emotion, possibility, wish, judgement, or action that has not yet taken place. The exact situations that these sentences are used differ from language to language. Examples of subjunctive sentences include “If it were me, I would go,” “I wish it were real,” and “I propose he work part-time.”
In these examples, ‘was’ has become ‘were,’ and ‘works’ has become ‘work.’
What is the Difference Between Conditional and Subjunctive?
The key difference between conditional and subjunctive is that conditional sentences are used to express certain conditions that are real or unreal, while subjunctive is used to express various situations of unreality such as opinion, emotion, possibility, wish, judgement, or action that has not yet taken place.
Summary – Conditional vs Subjunctive Sentences
Conditional sentences are used to express conditions that are real or unreal and are introduced by the word ‘if.’ Subjunctive sentences are used to express unreal situations or actions that have not yet taken place and are introduced by the word ‘wish.’ There are three types of conditional sentences: Conditional Type 1 (probable situations), Type 2 (unlikely situations), and Type 3 (impossible situations).
