Essential English Grammar Structures: Conditionals, Voice, and Reported Speech

Essential English Grammar Structures

Conditional Sentences

Conditional sentences express hypothetical situations and their consequences. They are categorized by the likelihood of the event occurring.

The Four Main Conditional Types

• Zero Conditional (Facts/Reality): Used for general truths or scientific facts.

  Formula: If + Subject + V (Simple Present), Subject + V (Simple Present)

• First Conditional (Probable Future): Used for probable future events.

  Formula: If + Subject + V (Simple Present), Subject + will/won't + V (Base Form)

• Second Conditional (Improbable/Advice): Used for hypothetical present or future situations, or for giving advice.

  Formula: If + Subject + V (Simple Past), Subject + would + V (Base Form)

• Third Conditional (Regret/Past Counterfactual): Used to express regret or a hypothetical situation in the past that did not happen.

  Formula: If + Subject + had + V (Past Participle), Subject + would have + V (Past Participle)

Mixed Conditionals

These combine elements of the Second and Third Conditionals.

• Past Cause → Present Result: If a past condition had been different, the present result would be different.

  Formula: If + Subject + had + V (Past Participle), Subject + would + V (Base Form)

• Present Cause → Past Result: If a present condition were different, the past result would have been different.

  Formula: If + Subject + V (Simple Past), Subject + would have + V (Past Participle)

Conditionals Without "If"

Alternative conjunctions used to introduce conditional clauses:

1. Provided that, On condition that, As long as
2. Imagine, Supposing, Suppose

Inverted Conditionals (Formal Usage)

Inversion removes "If" and places an auxiliary verb before the subject:

1. Should + Subject + V (Base Form)
2. Were to + Subject + V (Base Form)
3. Had + Subject + V (Past Participle)

Wish Clauses

Wish clauses express desires, regrets, or complaints.

1. Present Dissatisfaction: Expressing unhappiness about a present situation.

   Structure: I wish / If only + Simple Past

2. Past Regret: Expressing regret about a past action.

   Structure: I wish / If only + Past Perfect

3. Complaint/Unwillingness: Expressing a complaint or desire for a change in someone's behavior.

   Structure: I wish / If only + would + V (Base Form)

Active to Passive Voice Conversion

The passive voice focuses on the action and the recipient rather than the performer.

Passive Voice Formulas (Subject + Be + V3)

• Simple Present: am/is/are + V (Past Participle)
• Present Continuous: am/is/are + being + V (Past Participle)
• Simple Past: was/were + V (Past Participle)
• Past Continuous: was/were + being + V (Past Participle)
• Present/Past Perfect: have/has/had + been + V (Past Participle)
• Future (Going To): am/is/are + going to be + V (Past Participle)

Reported Speech (Indirect Speech)

Reporting verbs change the structure of the original statement, often requiring an infinitive or a gerund.

Reporting Verbs Followed by the Infinitive (to + V)

These verbs often report promises, offers, demands, or advice.

• Agree (e.g., "All right"): He agreed to + V (Base Form)
• Demand (e.g., "I want"): He demanded to + V (Base Form)
• Offer (e.g., "I will"): He offered to + V (Base Form)
• Promise (e.g., "I will be"): He promised to + V (Base Form)
• Refuse (e.g., "I won't"): He refused to + V (Base Form)
• Threaten (e.g., "I will harm you"): He threatened to + V (Base Form)

Reporting Verbs Followed by Object + Infinitive (Object + to + V)

These verbs often report requests, orders, or advice directed at someone.

• Advise (e.g., "You should"): She advised me to + V (Base Form)
• Beg (e.g., "Please"): She begged me to + V (Base Form)
• Forbid (e.g., "You can't"): She forbade me to + V (Base Form)
• Invite (e.g., "Will you?"): She invited me to + V (Base Form)
• Order/Warn (e.g., "Don't"): He ordered/warned me not to + V (Base Form)
• Remind (e.g., "Don't forget"): She reminded me to + V (Base Form)

Reporting Verbs Followed by the Gerund (V-ing)

These verbs often report admissions, denials, or apologies.

• Admit (e.g., "Yes, I did it"): He admitted V-ing
• Deny (e.g., "No, I didn't"): He denied V-ing
• Apologize (e.g., "I'm sorry"): He apologized for + V-ing