the conditional
noun
grammar
: the mood or form that is used to say that something is true or happens only if something else is true or happens
The conditional is often marked by the word "if."
Examples of the conditional in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In an interview with Fox News late Wednesday, Carr praised the moves by Nexstar and Sinclair, noting that pulling Kimmel's show aligned with the conditional broadcast licenses each company holds, which require programming to serve the public interest.
—
Martha McHardy Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
This version, which came before Metro Council Sept. 11, axed the conditional use permit requirements for the new types of shelters but retained a licensing requirement for accessory overnight shelters run by religious institutions.
—Killian Baarlaer, Louisville Courier Journal, 12 Sep. 2025
That may still be the case, but the conditional in this sentence is the spot through which Putin last night flew more than a dozen drones.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
Because Escapology would welcome customers by appointment only and has franchise data supporting its low demand for parking, city staff supports both the conditional use and parking variance, said Therese Egner, with the planning services team.
—Marie Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2025
Boise’s Planning and Zoning Commission approved the conditional use permit 4-3.
—Katherine Jones, Idaho Statesman, 13 Aug. 2025
In 2020, the Wizards traded John Wall and the conditional first-round pick to the Houston Rockets for Russell Westbrook.
—Josh Robbins, New York Times, 31 July 2025
That hike was theoretically to be offset by an increase to the card’s rewards, which are now purportedly worth $2,700 annually, offered not in the form of legal tender but rather as a long and complex list of credits, many of them issued in the conditional tense.
—Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 24 July 2025
Court officials satisfied pending plan meets concerns Specifically, the conditional release plan, created by a team of doctors and social workers as well as Geyser herself, includes GPS monitoring at all times so officials can track her movements.
—Jim Riccioli, jsonline.com, 17 July 2025
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Martha McHardy Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
This version, which came before Metro Council Sept. 11, axed the conditional use permit requirements for the new types of shelters but retained a licensing requirement for accessory overnight shelters run by religious institutions.
—Killian Baarlaer, Louisville Courier Journal, 12 Sep. 2025
That may still be the case, but the conditional in this sentence is the spot through which Putin last night flew more than a dozen drones.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
Because Escapology would welcome customers by appointment only and has franchise data supporting its low demand for parking, city staff supports both the conditional use and parking variance, said Therese Egner, with the planning services team.
—Marie Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2025
Boise’s Planning and Zoning Commission approved the conditional use permit 4-3.
—Katherine Jones, Idaho Statesman, 13 Aug. 2025
In 2020, the Wizards traded John Wall and the conditional first-round pick to the Houston Rockets for Russell Westbrook.
—Josh Robbins, New York Times, 31 July 2025
That hike was theoretically to be offset by an increase to the card’s rewards, which are now purportedly worth $2,700 annually, offered not in the form of legal tender but rather as a long and complex list of credits, many of them issued in the conditional tense.
—Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 24 July 2025
Court officials satisfied pending plan meets concerns Specifically, the conditional release plan, created by a team of doctors and social workers as well as Geyser herself, includes GPS monitoring at all times so officials can track her movements.
—Jim Riccioli, jsonline.com, 17 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“The conditional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20conditional. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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