Conditional Sentences Type 1 Und 2 übungen

Conditional sentences, or Bedingungssätze in German, are used to express that the action in one clause (the result clause) will only happen if a certain condition is met in another clause (the conditional clause). These sentences are crucial for expressing possibilities, hypotheses, and consequences in German. This article will focus on Conditional Sentences Type 1 (Typ 1) and Type 2 (Typ 2), providing clear explanations and examples to help you master their use.

Conditional Sentence Type 1 (Typ 1) - Possible Conditions

Conditional Sentence Type 1, also known as the *real conditional*, describes a situation where the condition is likely or possible to be fulfilled. It refers to events that are likely to happen in the present or future.

Structure:

The structure of a Type 1 conditional sentence is as follows:

Wenn + Present Tense, Main Clause with Future I (werden + Infinitive)
or
Present Tense in Main Clause (if the condition is generally true in the present)

Let's break down each part:

• Wenn: This is the German word for "if". It introduces the conditional clause. The wenn-clause can come either before or after the main clause. When the wenn-clause comes first, a comma separates the two clauses, and the verb in the main clause inverts (comes before the subject).
• Present Tense (Präsens) in the Wenn-clause: Use the present tense to describe the condition that needs to be met.
• Future I (Futur I) in the Main Clause: Use werden + the infinitive of the main verb to describe the result if the condition is met. This is the standard way to express a future consequence in Type 1 conditional sentences. You can also use the present tense in the main clause if the result is a general truth or a very high probability.

Examples:

1. Wenn ich Zeit habe, werde ich dich besuchen. (If I have time, I will visit you.) Here, having time is the condition, and visiting is the result. The likelihood of the visit depends on the time availability.
2. Wenn es regnet, bleiben wir zu Hause. (If it rains, we stay at home.) This expresses a likely consequence in the present. We are expressing that rain will cause the decision to stay at home.
3. Wenn du fleißig lernst, wirst du die Prüfung bestehen. (If you study hard, you will pass the exam.) Diligent studying is the condition, and passing the exam is the likely result.
4. Wenn du mich anrufst, gehe ich ans Telefon. (If you call me, I answer the phone.) Here, present tense is used in the main clause.
5. Ich werde dir helfen, wenn du mich darum bittest. (I will help you if you ask me.) Note that the wenn-clause comes second here. The verb in the main clause does *not* invert.

Important Considerations:

• Word Order: As mentioned earlier, the wenn-clause can come first or second. If it comes first, the verb in the main clause inverts.
  • Wenn-clause first: Wenn es kalt ist, tragen wir einen Mantel. (If it is cold, we wear a coat.)
  • Wenn-clause second: Wir tragen einen Mantel, wenn es kalt ist. (We wear a coat if it is cold.)
• Werden vs. Present Tense: While werden + infinitive is the most common way to express the future consequence, the present tense is acceptable for general truths or when the result is highly probable.

Conditional Sentence Type 2 (Typ 2) - Unreal or Hypothetical Conditions

Conditional Sentence Type 2, also known as the *unreal conditional* or *hypothetical conditional*, describes a situation that is unlikely to happen, impossible, or purely hypothetical. It refers to events that are not real in the present or future, often expressing wishes or dreams.

Structure:

The structure of a Type 2 conditional sentence is as follows:

Wenn + Subjunctive II (Konjunktiv II), Main Clause with würde + Infinitive

Let's break down each part:

• Wenn: Again, the German word for "if".
• Subjunctive II (Konjunktiv II) in the Wenn-clause: This verb form is crucial. It expresses the unreal or hypothetical nature of the condition. Many verbs form the Konjunktiv II by adding -te to the past tense stem (Präteritum) and changing the vowel if necessary (Umlaut). If a verb's Konjunktiv II form is identical to its past tense (which is often the case, particularly with weak verbs), würde + Infinitive is often used instead for clarity.
• würde + Infinitive in the Main Clause: This is the standard way to express the unreal or hypothetical result. It translates roughly to "would + verb" in English.

Examples:

1. Wenn ich reich wäre, würde ich ein Haus kaufen. (If I were rich, I would buy a house.) Being rich is unlikely (or currently untrue), making this a hypothetical situation. Note that the Konjunktiv II of *sein* (to be) is *wäre*.
2. Wenn ich fliegen könnte, würde ich um die Welt reisen. (If I could fly, I would travel around the world.) Flying is impossible, making this an unreal situation. *könnte* is the Konjunktiv II of *können* (to be able to).
3. Wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte, würde ich mehr lesen. (If I had more time, I would read more.) The speaker likely does not have more time, suggesting a hypothetical situation. *hätte* is the Konjunktiv II of *haben* (to have).
4. Ich würde dir helfen, wenn ich könnte. (I would help you if I could.) Note that the wenn-clause comes second. The verb in the main clause does *not* invert.
5. Wäre ich du, würde ich das nicht tun. (If I were you, I wouldn't do that.) This example highlights the verb-first word order when the wenn-clause is omitted and the verb sein is used in the Konjunktiv II.

Important Considerations:

• Konjunktiv II Formation: Mastering the Konjunktiv II is essential for Type 2 conditional sentences. If you are unsure of the Konjunktiv II form of a verb, using würde + infinitive is generally a safe alternative. However, some verbs, especially modal verbs (können, müssen, dürfen, sollen, wollen) and the verbs sein (to be) and haben (to have), are more commonly used in their Konjunktiv II form.
• würde + Infinitive: While würde + infinitive is often used, it's crucial to recognize and understand the Konjunktiv II forms of common verbs. This will make your German sound more natural and sophisticated.
• Real vs. Unreal: The key difference between Type 1 and Type 2 is the likelihood of the condition being met. Type 1 conditions are possible or likely, while Type 2 conditions are unlikely, impossible, or hypothetical. Consider the context carefully to choose the appropriate type.

Übungen (Exercises)

To solidify your understanding, try these exercises. Translate the following sentences into German, using either Conditional Sentence Type 1 or Type 2, depending on the context:

1. If it snows, the roads will be slippery.
2. If I won the lottery, I would travel the world.
3. If you water the plants, they will grow.
4. If I were taller, I would play basketball.
5. I will call you if I have time.
6. I would buy a new car if I had enough money.

Answers:

1. Wenn es schneit, werden die Straßen glatt sein. (Type 1)
2. Wenn ich im Lotto gewinnen würde, würde ich um die Welt reisen. (Type 2) (or: Wenn ich im Lotto gewönne, würde ich um die Welt reisen.)
3. Wenn du die Pflanzen gießt, werden sie wachsen. (Type 1)
4. Wenn ich größer wäre, würde ich Basketball spielen. (Type 2)
5. Ich werde dich anrufen, wenn ich Zeit habe. (Type 1)
6. Ich würde ein neues Auto kaufen, wenn ich genug Geld hätte. (Type 2)

By understanding the structure and usage of Conditional Sentences Type 1 and Type 2, you can significantly improve your ability to express complex ideas and hypothetical situations in German. Remember to practice regularly and pay attention to the nuances of the Konjunktiv II form. Viel Erfolg! (Good luck!)