Tense in factual conditional sentences

Factual conditional sentences express relationships that are true or based on fact. If the relationship is a scientific truth, use the present tense in both the subordinate and the independent clause.

Example sentence: If water cools to 32 degrees, it freezes. Explanation: The subordinate clause is “If water cools to 32 degrees.” The independent clause is “it freezes. ”

If the sentence describes a condition that is (or was) always true or true over a period of time, use the same tense in both clauses.

Example sentence: When Sue jogs along the canal, her dog runs ahead of her. Explanation: The subordinate clause is “When Sue jogs along the canal.” The independent clause is “her dog runs ahead of her.”

Exercise: Verbs in conditional sentences