First and Second Conditional - Perspectives C1 Unit 3

First and Second Conditional - Perspectives C1 Unit 3

Grammar Reference and Practice

First conditional

We use the first conditional to express an event that is a real possibility in the future (in the result clause), but which is dependent on the condition in the if-clause.

It is often used to express requests, offers, suggestions and warnings.

If you don't take action now, it could be too late

We can use any present form in the if-clause and any future form in the result clause.

If global temperatures have increased again this year, carbon emissions will need to be further reduced.

Most modals are possible in the result clause to express differing levels of certainty, e.g. may, might, should can, could.

If global temperatures have increased again this year, carbon emissions may need to be/should be further reduced.

Unless

Unless expresses a negative condition and has a similar meaning to if... not or except if.

Unless we react now, the problem will never be resolved.

We do not usually use unless in the if-clause when the event in the result clause is contrary to known facts.

Suppose/supposing

We can use suppose/supposing in speech to introduce the if-clause, often with a question.

Supposing we lower the price, will that help?

Second conditional

We use the second conditional to express an UNLIKELY future event or a HYPOTHETICAL situation (contrary to known facts), which is dependent on the condition in the if-clause. It is often used to express advice, desires and polite requests.

If there was no pandemic, we would be taking classes in our school in regular classrooms.

If we had recycling sites, it would make life much easier!

We can use the past simple or continuous in the if-clause and would/might/could + infinitive in the result clause.

Unlikely event:

If everyone recycled more, we might need fewer landfill sites.

Impossible situation:

If we weren't filling landfill sites, we wouldn't be poisoning the land.

Using could in the result clause expresses ability.

If local authorities provided the facilities, we could all recycle more.

Provided/providing/on the condition (that)/ As long as

We often use alternatives to if. Provided that/providing/on the condition (that)/ as long as all make the condition necessary for the result to be achieved.

Provided that everyone helped, the problem might disappear.

Less likely & more formal

1st conditional

In the first conditional we can make the event in the result clause less likely by using should in the if-clause, and more formal by removing if and transposing should + subject.

If global temperatures should increase again this year, ...

Should global temperatures increase again this year, ...

2nd conditional

In the second conditional, we can make the event in the result clause less likely by using was/were to in the if-clause and more formal by removing if and transposing was/were to + subject.

If everyone were to recycle more ...

Were everyone to recycle more ...

Fill in the Blank

Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verb in brackets.

1. If we want to reduce the number of abused women in Mexico in the future, we ___________ (have to) take action now.

Fill in the Blank

2. We could reduce the effects of climate change if less carbon ____________ (be released) into the air.

Fill in the Blank

3. Less women __________ (be threaten) if there was an effective violence awareness campaign.

Fill in the Blank

4. The end of corruption __________ (be) a serious possibility if the government were prepared to fight it.

Fill in the Blank

5. If consuming high levels of sugar ___________ (cause) obesity, the number of patients with diabetes will most likely rise.

Fill in the Blank

6. Low-lying land will be in danger of severe flooding in Tabasco if the river Grijalva's water level __________ (rise) significantly.