Conditional for Dummies

Conditional is a word that we use to describe something that depends on a specific condition or circumstance. It's kind of like a rule that says, "If this happens, then that can happen." So, let's say you have a friend who only wants to play outside if it's not raining. In this case, their decision to play outside is conditional upon the weather. If it's raining, they won't go out to play, but if it's not raining, then they are ready to have some fun. That's a simple example of a condition.

Now, let's think about this word in another way. Have you ever seen a contract or an agreement? It's like a set of rules that people agree to follow. Well, sometimes these agreements have conditions. For example, if you want to go to a friend's house, their parents might say you can come over, but only if you finish your homework first. In this case, your ability to visit their house is conditional upon completing your homework. It's like a requirement or a condition that has to be met in order for something else to happen.

But wait, there's more! Sometimes the word "conditional" can also mean that something is temporary or can change depending on certain factors. Let me explain. Imagine you have a toy robot that can move forward or backward, but only if you press a button. The robot's movement is conditional upon you pressing the button. If you don't press the button, the robot won't move. So, in this case, the robot's movement is not permanent; it depends on your action of pressing the button.

So, to summarize, "conditional" means something that relies on a specific condition or circumstance to happen or be true. It can refer to rules, requirements, or even temporary situations. It's all about things being connected to each other, and if something changes, then the outcome or result can also change. Kind of like a chain reaction!