Conditional means depending on something else happening first. When your parents say “You can watch TV on the condition that you finish your homework,” they mean the TV privilege depends on completing that homework. No homework done? No TV.

In everyday life, we use the word to describe situations where one thing must happen before another becomes possible. A conditional acceptance to a summer camp might require you to maintain good grades. A conditional promise means “I'll do this if you do that.” The condition is whatever needs to happen first.

In grammar, conditional sentences use words like “if” or “unless” to show this relationship: “If it rains, the game will be canceled” or “You'll miss the bus unless you hurry.” The cancellation or missing the bus is conditional on those other events.

The opposite is unconditional, meaning no strings attached. Unconditional love means loving someone no matter what they do. An unconditional guarantee means the company will replace a broken product for any reason.

Understanding conditionals helps you recognize when agreements have requirements built in.