Conditionals

Conditionals

by Mario Medina

​Zero conditional

​We can make a zero conditional sentence with two Present simple verbs (one in the 'if clause' and one in the 'main clause'):

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• ​If + present simple, present simple.

If people eat too much, they get fat.​

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​Zero conditional

​This conditional is used when the result will always happen. So, if water reaches 100 degrees, it always boils. It's a fact. I'm talking in general, not about one particular situation. The result of the 'if clause' is always the main clause.

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The 'if' in this conditional can usually be replaced by 'when' without changing the meaning.

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​Zero conditional

Examples:

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​If you touch a fire, you get burn.

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People die if they don't eat.

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If babies are hungry, they cry.​

Multiple Choice

Complete the conditional: Snakes bite

• if they will be scared.

• if they are scared.

• if they be scared.

Multiple Choice

Complete the conditional: You get water

• if you'll mix hydrogen and oxygen.

• if you'd mix hydrogen and oxygen.

• if you mix hydrogen and oxygen.

Multiple Choice

Complete the conditional: If you water the plants,

• they will grow up.

• they grow up.

• they are going to grow up.

Open Ended

Write an example using the zero conditional.

​First conditional

The first conditional has the present simple after 'if', then the future simple in the other clause:

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• if + present simple, ... will + infinitive

​If I see her, I'll tell her.

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It's used to talk about things which might happen in the future. Of course, we can't know what will happen in the future, but this describes possible things, which could easily come true.

​First conditional

Examples:

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​If it rains, I won't go to the park.

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​She'll be late if the train is delayed.

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​If I see her, I'll tell her.

Multiple Choice

Complete the conditional: If I study today,

• I pass the exam.

• I will pass the exam.

• I would pass the exam.

Multiple Choice

Complete the conditional: If I have enough money,

• I buy new shoes.

• I will buy new shoes.

• I would buy new shoes .

Multiple Choice

Complete the conditional: She'll miss the bus

• if she don't leave soon.

• if she doesn't leave soon.

• if she won't leave soon.

Open Ended

Write an example using the first conditional.

​Second conditional

​The second conditional uses the past simple after if, then 'would' and the infinitive:

• if + past simple, ...would + infinitive

​If I were you, I wouldn't do that.

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(We can use 'were' instead of 'was' with 'I' and 'he/she/it'. This is mostly done in formal writing).

​Second conditional

​It has two uses.

First, we can use it to talk about things in the future that are probably not going to be true. Maybe I'm imagining some dream for example.

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If I won the lottery, I would buy a nice house.

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If I met the Queen of England, I would say hello.

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She would pass the test if she ever studied.

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​Second conditional

​Second, we can use it to talk about something in the present which is impossible, because it's not true. Is that clear? Have a look at the examples:

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​If I had his number, I would call him.

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​If I were you, I would go to the doctor.

Multiple Choice

Complete the conditional: She would travel all over the world

• if she were rich.

• if she has money.

• if she is rich.

Multiple Choice

Complete the conditional: If I met you,

• I would call you.

• I call you.

• I will call you.

Open Ended

Write an example using the second conditional.

​Third conditional

​We make the third conditional by using the past perfect after 'if' and then 'would have' and the past participle in the second part of the sentence:

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• if + past perfect, ...would + have + past participle

If he had studied, he would have passed the exam.

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​It talks about the past. It's used to describe a situation that didn't happen, and to imagine the result of this situation.

​Third conditional

Examples:

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He would have been on time for the interview if he had left the house at nine.

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​If we had taken a taxi, we wouldn't have missed the plane

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​If I hadn't eaten so much, I wouldn't have felt sick

Multiple Choice

Complete the conditional: If he had left the house at nine,

• He would be on time.

• He would have been on time.

• He has been on time.

Multiple Choice

Complete the conditional: She would have become a teacher

• is she gone to university.

• if she would have gone to university.

• if she had gone to university.

Open Ended

Write an example using the third conditional.

​Oral practice:

​Use the conditonals to answer the questions carefully.

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​1. What do you do if you are tired?

​2. What happens if you study for your exams?

​3. What will you do if you get a headache?

​4. What will you do if your cellphone is stolen?

​5. If you could be anyone in the world, who would you be?

​6. If you had a special power, what would it be?

​7. If you had been able to choose your career when you were a child, what would you have chosen?