Conditional
s
Zero Conditionals
• The zero conditional is a
structure used to talk about
general truths - things which
always happen under certain
conditions.
The structure of a
zero conditional
sentence
• A zero conditional sentence consists of
two clauses, an "if" clause and a main
clause
If clause+ main clause:
If you heat water to 100 degrees, it
boils.
• If the "if" clause comes first, a comma is
usually used.
• if clause: if +subject + present simple
• main clause: subject + present simple
Water boils if you heat it to 100 degrees.
Let’s Practice:
• Use the conditions and results in the box to complete the phrases
below.
Conditions: you've got a headache, you don't wear a crash helmet, you
heat it to 100 ºc, she comes home very late, you leave gates open in
the country, you add sugar
Results: you get pink, A dog bites, the DVD player comes on, Butter
melts, it scratches you, You have more chance of being killed
1. Water boils if __________________________________
2. If you mix red and white _________________________________
3. ____________________________________ if you leave it in the sun.
4. If ____________________________________ , take an aspirin.
5. If _____________________________________ , it tastes sweet.
6. __________________________ if you go near its food when it's eating.
7. If you pull a cat's tail, _______________________________ .
8. _______________if you don't wear a seat belt.
9. You can end up brain damaged if ______________________________
10. If you press this switch, ____________________________________
11. If ____________________________________ , her folks get very angry.
12. Farmers get very angry if _______________________________________
The First Conditional
The first conditional (also called
conditional type 1) is a
structure used to talk about
possibilities in the present or
in the future
The structure of a first
conditional sentence
• A first conditional sentence consists of
two clauses, an "if" clause and a main
clause:
if clause + main clause
If you study hard , you will pass the
test.
:
• if clause: if + subject + present
simple
• main clause: subject + future
simple (will)/ imperative/can.
If you leave now,you will arrive
in time
( future simple )
If you are hungry, eat something
(imperative)
If you need help, you can ask
the teacher .(can)
(
Let’s Practice:
• If Clare ________ late again, the hockey trainer will be furious. (to arrive)
• You'll be sorry if you ___________________ for your exams. (to revise)
•
We ___________________ if the weather's good. (to go)
• They _____________ you if you wear a wig and dark glasses. (to recognize)
• If the bus ________________ on time, I won't miss the football. (to be)
• If you ____________ your homework now, you'll be free all tomorrow. (to do)
• We___________________ out if there's no food at home. (to eat)
•
You'll find life much easier if you ____________ more often. (to smile)
•
If it's hot, we___________________ for a swim. (to go)
•
You'll do it better if you ___________________ more time over it. (to take)
•
If she ___________________ practicing, she'll get better. (to keep)
•
I___________________ so happy if I pass the exam. (to be)
• You'll be really tired tomorrow if you ___________________ to bed soon. (to
go)
Second Conditional
The second conditional (also
called conditional type 2) is a
structure used to talk about
unreal situations in the
present or in the future .
• If clause + main
clause
If I had a million dollars , I would
buy a mansion
We use different verb forms in each part of a
second conditional:
• if clause: if + subject + simple past
• main clause: subject + would + verb
+could + verb
+ might +verb
Note that this "simple past" form is slightly
different from usual in the case of the verb BE.
Whatever the subject, the verb form is "were",
not "was": If I were rich, I'd buy a big house.
Let’s Practice:
• If Joe……….. (be) here, he …………(catch)
some fish for supper.
2. It …………(be) nice if the rain………… (stop)!
3. I ………….(sing) you a song if I ……..(have)
my guitar.
4. If I …………(have) a better sleeping bag,
I………. (not feel) so cold.
5. If this tent….. (be) smaller, one of us ..
(have to sleep) outside!
• 6. I ………………………(go ) to the doctor if
I………( be) you.
7. If I ………(not be) so hungry, I (share)……
my beans with you.
Third Conditional
• The third conditional (also
called conditional type 3) is a
structure used to talk about
unreal situations in the
past.
If clause + main clause
If I had studied harder, I
would have passed the
exam.
Explanation:
• I failed the exam, because I didn't
study hard enough.
if clause: if + subject + past perfect
main clause :subject + would / could,/ might
+have + past participle
*The past perfect is formed with the auxiliary verb "had", and
the past participle (or third form) of the verb.
had been( hubiera sido o estado )/ had
studied( hubiera estudiado)
*The perfect conditional is formed with would+have+ past
participle
Would have been( habría sido) would have
arrived( habría llegado)
The third conditional is used to
talk about things which DID
NOT HAPPEN in the past.
• If you had driven more
carefully, you would not have
had an accident.
( You had an accident because
you didn't drive carefully
enough)
Let’s Practice:
• 1.He crashed his car, because he fell asleep while driving.
If he ……………asleep while driving, he……………….. his car.
2. We couldn't go to the concert, because we didn't have
enough money.
If we……………. enough money, we…………….. to the concert.
3. I lost my job because I was late for work.
I……………………. my job if I………………. late for work.
4. The wind was so strong that the bridge collapsed.
If the wind ………………so strong, the bridge…………………… .
5. I couldn't call Sally because I had lost her number.
I …………………..Sally if I…………………… her number.
OTHER WAYS OF SAYING IF
Unless ( if………..not)
I´ll take the job unless the pay is too low.
I´ll take the job if the pay isn´t too low.
Unless you leave now,you will miss the train
You will miss the train if you don´t leave now
Suppose /supposing
Suppose/supposing he comes
tomorrow,
will you meet him?
As long as/so long as
You can go out tonight,as/so long as
you come back by midnight
On (the) condition
that
She agreed to come on (the)
condition that she could bring her
dog.
Provided/providing that
He could have recovered provided
that he had followed the doctor´s
orders
In case
Take an umbrella in case it rains.
In case of + noun
In case of accident,notify the police
Otherwise
You´d better hurry.Otherwise,you´ll
be late for your appointment
