conditional
B2Neutral to formal; common in academic, technical, and everyday contexts.
Definition
Meaning
Expressing or depending on a condition; not absolute.
1. (Linguistics) A clause or sentence beginning with 'if' or 'unless' that expresses a condition. 2. (Grammar) A verb form or mood used in such clauses (e.g., 'would go'). 3. (Logic/Mathematics) A proposition of the form 'if p, then q'.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word inherently contains the idea of contingency. It describes something that will happen, be true, or be provided only if something else happens first.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant semantic differences. Minor spelling variation in derived forms (e.g., BrE 'conditionalise' vs. AmE 'conditionalize').
Connotations
Identical connotations of contingency and dependency.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both dialects, particularly in academic and technical registers.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
be conditional on/upon [something]make [something] conditional on/upon [something]offer/grant [something] conditionalVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “on one condition”
- “strings attached”
- “make it a condition that”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Our investment is conditional upon a satisfactory audit.
Academic
The study's findings are conditional on the sample size being representative.
Everyday
My parents' permission to go to the festival is conditional on my grades.
Technical
The program executes the next command only if the conditional statement evaluates as true.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adverb
British English
- The contract was agreed conditionally, subject to a final review.
American English
- The funds were released conditionally, with strict reporting requirements.
adjective
British English
- The university made her a conditional offer, pending her final exam results.
- Their support is entirely conditional on our accepting their amendments.
American English
- The deal is conditional on board approval.
- She received a conditional discharge from the court.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My mum said yes, but it's conditional. I must finish my homework first.
- We can play outside conditional on the rain stopping.
- The bank's loan is conditional on a good credit history.
- In a conditional sentence like 'If it rains, we will stay home', the first part is the condition.
- The peace treaty was signed, but its implementation is conditional upon the withdrawal of troops.
- He argued that moral principles are not conditional but absolute.
- The philosopher analysed the counterfactual conditional 'If Caesar had been in command, he would have used the cavalry'.
- The judge imposed a conditional sentence, requiring the offender to perform community service.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CONDITION in a rental agreement. The lease is CONDITIONAL on you paying rent.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONDITIONS ARE BARRIERS/GATES (something only happens if the gate is opened by meeting the condition).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating the noun 'conditional' as 'кондиционер' (which is 'air conditioner').
- Do not confuse the grammatical term 'conditional mood' with the subjunctive mood; they are related but distinct concepts in English vs. Russian grammar.
- The adjective 'conditional' corresponds to 'условный', but 'conditional offer' is a fixed phrase meaning a provisional job/university offer, not just any offer with terms.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'conditionally' as an adjective (e.g., 'a conditionally offer' is wrong; use 'conditional offer').
- Using 'if' without a clear hypothetical structure when discussing conditional logic (e.g., 'It is conditional he agrees' is wrong; must be 'It is conditional on his agreement' or 'conditional upon him agreeing').
- Confusing 'conditional' with 'conditioned' (e.g., 'He is conditional to help' is wrong; 'He is conditioned to help' is a psychological reflex).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'conditional probability' primarily used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are virtually synonymous and interchangeable. 'Conditional upon' can sound slightly more formal.
It is neutral, describing dependency. It can have a negative connotation if it implies a lack of trust or commitment (e.g., 'conditional love'), or a positive/neutral one in logical or procedural contexts (e.g., 'conditional approval').
Yes, primarily in linguistics and logic. In grammar, it refers to a clause or sentence expressing a condition, or the mood of the verb used in it (e.g., 'the first conditional').
The adjective 'conditional' is not used directly in the 'if' clause itself. Instead, you describe the whole situation: 'Our plans are conditional on the weather. If it rains, we'll cancel.'
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