Conditional sentence in German
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Lesson outline
Hide- 1.What is a conditional sentence?
- 2.Structure of a conditional sentence
- 2.1.Real conditions
- 2.2.Unreal conditions in the present
- 2.3.Unreal conditions in the past
- 3.Exercises
- 3.1.Exercise of real conditional sentences
- 3.2.Exercise of unreal conditional sentences (present)
- 3.3.Exercise of unreal conditional sentences (past)
What is a conditional sentence?
A conditional sentence consists of a wenn-(if)-clause and a conclusion. The wenn-clause is the dependent clause of the conditional sentence. The conjugate, or finite verb has to be placed at the end of the sentence.
For example:
- Wenn du mich magst, hilfst du mir. (If you like me, you will help me)
- Wenn du morgen Zeit hast, gehen wir ins Kino. (If you have time tomorrow, we will go to the cinema)
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Structure of a conditional sentence
In the following you will find some examples of the positions of if-clauses and the conclusion. If the clause begins with a condition the subject is located behind finite verb in the conclusion.
| if- clause | conclusion | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Wenn alle Menschen so dächten, | dann wäre die Welt sauberer. | If all people would think that way, then the world would be much cleaner |
| Wenn ich morgen Zeit habe, | dann können wir ins Kino gehen. | If I have time tomorrow, then we can go to the cinema |
| Wenn ich heute Zeit gehabt hätte, | dann hätte ich dir im Garten helfen können. | If I would have had time today, then I could have helped you in the garden |
or: If the conclusion comes first, the subject is located before the finite verb.
| conclusion | if- clause | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Die Welt wäre sauberer, | wenn alle Menschen so dächten. | The world would be cleaner, if all people would think that way |
| Wir können ins Kino gehen, | wenn ich morgen Zeit habe. | We can go to the cinema, if I have time tomorrow |
| Ich hätte dir im Garten helfen können, | wenn ich heute Zeit gehabt hätte. | I could have helped you in the garden, if I would have had time today |
1) Real conditions
In both parts of the sentences we assume that the conditions can be fullfilled. We use the present tense in both parts.
- Wenn ich Hunger habe, dann koche ich etwas. (When I'm hungy, I cook something)
- Wenn ich Zeit habe, helfe ich dir natürlich. (When I have time, I will help you of course)
2) Unreal conditions in the present
With the unreal condition, we describe a condition that is not fullfilled in the present. Therefore, we use in both parts of the sentence the subjunctive II. (we can also use the würde + infinitive form). The würde form is more used.
- Wenn ich Geld hätte, würde ich dir das Buch kaufen. (If I had money, I would buy you the book)
- Wenn ich Geld hätte, kaufte ich dir das Buch. (If I had money, I would buy you the book)
3) Unreal conditions in the past
Here, we describe a condition that was not fulfilled in the past. Therefore, we are using the subjunctive II (Konjunktiv II) in both parts of the sentence.
- Wenn ich Geld gehabt hätte, hätte ich dir das Buch gekauft. (If I had money, I would have bought you the book)
- Wenn ich Zeit gehabt hätte, hätte ich etwas mit dir unternommen. (If I had time, I would have done something with you)
Now, that you have learned about the conditional sentences try to apply your knowledge in our interactive exercises.
Exercises
- Exercise of real conditional sentences
- Exercise of unreal conditional sentences (present)
- Exercise of unreal conditional sentences (past)
Exercise of real conditional sentences
Exercise of unreal conditional sentences (present)
Exercise of unreal conditional sentences (past)
Exercises
- Exercise of real conditional sentences
- Exercise of unreal conditional sentences (present)
- Exercise of unreal conditional sentences (past)
Exercise of real conditional sentences
Exercise of unreal conditional sentences (present)
Exercise of unreal conditional sentences (past)
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