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
The details of the conditional settlement were not immediately clear.
—
Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 7 Jan. 2026
Based on the site plan included with the conditional use permit application, the rock crushing operation will move farther east over time.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Jan. 2026
Waukesha County District Attorney Lesli Boese, whose office prosecuted Geyser in the 2014 stabbing case, expressed her hope that the state Department of Health Services, which has custody of Geyser, will file a petition to revoke the conditional release she had been granted.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 25 Nov. 2025
If the conditional-use permit is approved by the council, the next steps will be for the developers to submit grading, building and off-site improvement plans to the city for further review.
—Stacy Brandt, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Nov. 2025
After completing the conditional voter registration form, the Orange County resident will be issued a provisional ballot.
—Dorothy Elder, Oc Register, 22 Oct. 2025
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
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
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Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 7 Jan. 2026
Based on the site plan included with the conditional use permit application, the rock crushing operation will move farther east over time.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Jan. 2026
Waukesha County District Attorney Lesli Boese, whose office prosecuted Geyser in the 2014 stabbing case, expressed her hope that the state Department of Health Services, which has custody of Geyser, will file a petition to revoke the conditional release she had been granted.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 25 Nov. 2025
If the conditional-use permit is approved by the council, the next steps will be for the developers to submit grading, building and off-site improvement plans to the city for further review.
—Stacy Brandt, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Nov. 2025
After completing the conditional voter registration form, the Orange County resident will be issued a provisional ballot.
—Dorothy Elder, Oc Register, 22 Oct. 2025
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
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
Cite this Entry
“The conditional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20conditional. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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