Conditionals - Estonian Grammar

Conditionals in Estonian grammar might seem challenging at first, but through regular and focused exercises, any learner can master them. The exercises should follow a structured pattern that encompasses all the types of conditionals present in the Estonian language; these include the zero, first, second, and third conditionals.

The zero conditional involves automatic or habitual conditions. Exercises would involve sentences with simple present tense in both the if-clause and the main clause. For instance, translating sentences such as “If it rains, we stay indoors” into Estonian and vice versa.

Exercises for the first conditional involve a possible condition and likely results. The if-clause contains the simple present tense, while the main clause uses the simple future tense. Learners can try exercises such as translating “If I study, I will pass the exam.”

The second conditional involves an improbable or hypothetical condition and its probable result. Here, the past simple tense is paired with the conditional mood. The exercise could involve translating sentences such as “If I won the lottery, I would travel the world.”

The third conditional involves a condition that did not happen in the past and its hypothetical outcome. Conditionals exercises involve the use of the past perfect and conditional perfect. Translations might include, “If I had seen her, I would have said hello.”

By progressively navigating through the intricacies of the conditionals in Estonian, learners can enhance their language proficiency significantly.