�
Dear Tommy,
�
The sentence that we are
given is: �He�s tired because he works hard all the time�.
�
If we were to use �because�
as the conditional subordinator, (in other words, the subordinating
conjunction), then the four Conditionals could be as follows, (or similar
constructions):
�
Zero Conditional: Because he works hard all the time, he is tired. (FACT).
First Conditional: Because he works hard all the time, he will be tired. (REAL, POSSIBILE).
Second Conditional: Because he worked hard all the time, he would be tired. (UNREAL,
IMPROBABLE, or IMPOSSIBLE).
Third Conditional: Because he had worked hard all the time, he would have been tired. (IN
THE PAST, so TOTALLY UNREAL, TOTALLY IMPOSSIBLE).
�
If we reverse the two
clauses, we have:
�
Zero Conditional: He is tired, because he works hard all the time. (FACT).
First Conditional: He will be tired, because he works hard all the time. (REAL, POSSIBILE).
Second Conditional: He would be tired, because he worked hard all the time. (UNREAL,
IMPROBABLE, or IMPOSSIBLE).
Third Conditional: He would have been tired, because he had worked hard all the time. (IN
THE PAST, so TOTALLY UNREAL, TOTALLY IMPOSSIBLE).
�
However, the sentence that we
are given is: �He�s tired because he works hard all the time�.
Plus, the question indicates
that we must begin the sentence with the word �if�.
�
I suggest that there are the
8 possible answers, (with these or similar constructions).
�
Zero Conditional: If he�s tired, it�s because he works hard all the time. (FACT).�
First Conditional: If he will be tired, it�s because he works hard all the time. (REAL, POSSIBILE).
�
Second Conditional: If he would be tired, it�s because he worked hard all the time. (UNREAL,
IMPROBABLE, or IMPOSSIBLE). �
Third Conditional: If he would have been tired, it�s because he had worked hard all the time.
(IN THE PAST, so TOTALLY UNREAL, TOTALLY IMPOSSIBLE).�
�
If we reverse the clauses:
Zero Conditional: If he works hard all the time he�s tired. (FACT).�
First Conditional: If he works hard all the time, he will be tired. (REAL, POSSIBILE).�
Second Conditional: If he worked hard all the time, he would be tired. UNREAL, IMPROBABLE,
or IMPOSSIBLE. �
Third Conditional: If he had worked hard all the time he would have been tired. (IN THE
PAST, so TOTALLY UNREAL, TOTALLY IMPOSSIBLE).�
�
Some students think that we
can begin Conditional Sentences using only the word, �if�.
�
This not so. Conditional
sentences can also use:
�
After; As a consequence of; As a result
of; As long as; As soon as; Assuming that; Because; Before; But for; Despite
this; Even if; Given that (very formal); If only; In case; In order to; In the
event of; In the event that; Just so that (informal); No matter how; Now that; On
condition that; On the condition that; Once; Provided; Provided that; Providing
that; Since; So long as; Supposing that; Therefore; Unless; Until; When; Whenever;
Wherever; Whether or not; Yet,
and some other constructions.
�
The sentence that we are
given is: �He�s tired because he works hard all the time�.
�
The original question is in
the Present Simple Tense, and it is Positive. It is also a Factual Statement, so,
(in my opinion), it is a Zero Conditional. I suggest that possible answers are:
�
If he�s tired, it�s because he works
hard all the time.
�
By reversing the two clauses,
(and re-wording), we can form:
�
If he works hard all the time, he�s
tired.
�
I hope that this helps you.
�
Les Douglas
