Four-type probability-ordered classification of English conditionals¶
Design · All designs
Evidence · no claims cited
Description¶
A lesson-level classification presenting conditionals in order of high-to-low probability of the result-clause event: factual (probability = 100%), predictive (~50%), hypothetical (~10%), and counterfactual (0%). Each type pairs a probability band with its verb-phrase structure, e.g. "If+past perfect→ would have+past participle" for counterfactuals. The article presents this ordering in Table 2 as the core instructional content of the Probability Approach.
Design Implications¶
Context¶
Requirements¶
- Instruction must present the four types in probability order with example structures
Constraints¶
- Excludes mixed conditionals and non-standard conditional expressions
Target Learners¶
- beginner Chinese learners of English
Learning Goals¶
- selecting the correct conditional type for a given meaning
Claims¶
Related Designs¶
Examples¶
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Key Sources¶
- Mei Wu. (2012). The Probability Approach to English If-conditional Sentences. English Language Teaching, 5(5). https://doi.org/10.5539/elt.v5n5p37
Page metadata
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
type |
design |
id |
four-type-probability-ordered-conditionals |
title |
Four-type probability-ordered classification of English conditionals |
description |
A lesson-level classification presenting conditionals in order of high-to-low probability of the result-clause event: factual (probability = 100%), predictive (~50%), hypothetical (~10%), and counterfactual (0%). |
status |
review |
generated |
by process:settle-candidates on 2026-11-02 |
trust |
unverified — no one has confirmed this page's content |
sources |
1 — mei-wu-2012 |
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