Conditionals

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Conditional sentences have two parts: an if clause and a main clause.

The if clause can come either first or second. When the if clause is first, the two clauses are separated by a comma. If normally means "on the condition that.”

If I see him, I'll give him the message.I'll give him the message if I see him.

There are 4 types of conditionals:

Type 2: If I went, I wouldn’t speak to him.

Type 1: If I see her, I’ll give her a message.

Type 3: If it had rained, I would have taken an umbrella.

Overview2

Type 0: If the ice melts, it becomes water.

Conditional #0

FORM:

USES:

EXAMPLES:

IF + SUBJECT + PRESENT SIMPLE, SUBJECT + PRESENT SIMPLE.

SUBJECT + PRESENT SIMPLE + IF + SUBJECT + PRESENT SIMPLE.

• When the result is always true.• Scientific Facts.

If you heat ice, it meltsIf I miss this buss I am late for work.

3We can also use when instead of if

Conditional #1

FORM:

USES:

EXAMPLES:

IF + SUBJECT + PRESENT SIMPLE, SUBJECT + WILL / WON’T + VERB.

SUBJECT + WILL / WON’T + VERB + IF + SUBJECT + PRESENT SIMPLE.

* Predict what will happen given certain other facts. * We use it for things that will probably happen in the real future or for predictions.

If you study hard, you’ll pass your exams.If it rains, there’ll be a lot of traffic.

4Sometimes, we use shall, can, or may instead of will.

5

Let’s Practice #1

1. If you ________ (not study), you ________ (fail) the test.

2. We ________ (die) if we________ (not get) help soon!

3. If you ________ (look) in the fridge, you ________ (find) some cold drinks.

4. If there ________ (be) no oil in the engine, the car ________ (break) down.

5. I ________ (lend) you my umbrella if you ________ (not need) it.

6. The sea level ________ (rise) if the planet ________ (get) hotter.

7. If you ________ (eat) your sandwiches now, you ________ (not have) anything for

lunch!

8. You________ (be) safe in an accident if you ________ (wear) your seatbelt.

9. If he ________ (save) all his money, he ________ (be able to go) on Holiday.

10. I ________ (not come) with you if you ________ (not bring) John!

Conditional #2

FORM:

USES:

EXAMPLES:

IF + SUBJECT + PAST SIMPLE, SUBJECT + WOULD / WOULDN’T + VERB.

* To predict what would happen given an improbable or hypothetical situation.

If I won the lottery, I would travel around the world.If we didn't have to work today, we could have a picnic.

SUBJECT + WOULD / WOULDN’T + VERB + IF + SUBJECT + PAST SIMPLE.

6Sometimes, we use should, could or might instead of would

7

Let’s Practice #2

1. What  ________ (do/you) if you ________  (win) the lottery?

2. If I  ________ (have) a better coat, I  ________ (not feel) so cold.

3. If the weather ________ (be) worse, we ________ (not go) to the mountains.

4. Martha ________  (be) very angry if you ________  (kiss) her boyfriend.

5. He ________  (feel) better if he ________  (not smoke).

6. If Manuel ________ (leave) my sister, she ________ (be) very sad.

7. We ________ (stay) in a nice hotel if we ________ (have) more money.

8. If I ________ (not be) shy, I ________ (ask) him out.

9. If Clara ________ (study) more, she ________ (be) an architect.

10. They ________ (meet) her if she ________ (come) to the party.

Conditional #3

FORM:

USES:

EXAMPLES:

IF + SUBJECT + PAST PERFECT, SUBJECT + WOULD / WOULDN’T + HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE..

* It refers to past time – to things that cannot now be changed.

if it hadn’t been sunny, I wouldn’t have got sunburnt. (was it sunny? Yes) (Did I get sunburnt? Yes)

SUBJECT + WOULD / WOULDN’T + HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE + IF + SUBJECT + PAST PERFECT.

Notice than in speech the third conditional is nearly always contracted.

If I’d see him, I’d have said hello.

8

Sometimes, we use should have, could have, might have instead of would have.

9

Let’s Practice #3

1) If you ________ (not/be) late, we ________ (not/miss) the bus.

2) If she ________ (study) she ________ (pass) the exam.

3) If we ________ (arrive) earlier, we ________ (see) John.

4) If they ________ (go) to bed early, they ________ (not/wake) up late.

5) If he ________ (become) a musician, he ________ (record) a CD.

6) If she ________ (go) to art school, ________ (become) a painter.

7) If I ________ (be) born in a different country, I ________ (learn) to speak a different language.

8) If she ________ (go) to university, she ________ (study) French.

9) If we ________ (not/go) to the party, we ________ (not/meet) them.

10) If he ________ (not/take) the job, he ________ (go) travelling.

10

• Zero and First Conditional

• Second and Third Conditional

Type 2: If I went, I wouldn’t speak to him.

Type 1: If I see her, I’ll give her a message.

Type 3: If it had rained, I would have taken an umbrella.

Remember11

• It refers to past time – to things that cannot now be changed.

* To predict what would happen given an improbable or hypothetical situation.

* Predict what will happen given certain other facts. * We use it for things that will probably happen in the real future or for predictions.

Posibility Conditional Time

100% Zero Any

50% First Future

10% Second Future

0% Third Past

12Let’s Practice #1,2,3

1. That was a bad decision. If I ________ (be) you, I would change it as soon as possible.

2. Sunshine - at last! Imagine if the English weather was like this all the time. ________

(it/not/be) wonderful?

3. He's usually pleasant, but when he's tired he ________ (be) pretty short-tempered. That's

the way he is.

4. If you ________ (not/be) so stubborn you would find it a lot easier to keep your friends.

5. Sorry I didn't call you and tell you I wasn't coming. I would have called you if I ________

(have) your number with me.

6. He says that if he ________ (not/be) so busy he would go with you to the movie tomorrow.

As it is, he simply has too much work to do.

7. We ________ (miss) the bus unless you hurry.

8. If only I ________ (have) more free time. All the things I would do. All I ever do is work.

13Let’s Practice Online

• 25 Mixed Conditionals

First Conditional Second Conditional

Third Conditional Mixed Conditional

• Perfect English Grammar.

• Perfect English Grammar.

• Perfect English Grammar.

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• English Exercises. • English Exercises.