‫مركز التعليم والتعلم‬ ‫جامعــــــــــة عمـــــــان األهليـــــــة‬

Teaching and Learning Center Al-Ahliyya Amman University

(Grammar- IF Conditionals) ❖
Class terminology ❖
Glossary
Factual Describing facts
Slight little
Predictions Expectations
Universal truths Things that are always true.
Recommended Advisable

Class introduction
There are five types of conditionals in English grammar: Zero conditional, first conditional, second conditional, third conditional,
and mixed conditional. A conditional is a type of sentence that is made up of an if- clause, known as the (condition), and a main
clause, known as the (result). The sentence describes a situation that might happen or might have happened. It usually starts
with (IF) or (When). It is important to note that the (IF) clause can be the first or the second part of the sentence. This lecture
discusses only four types of the conditionals, which are: the zero conditional, first, second and third conditional. The lecture
explains the form and function of each type.

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 ‫مركز التعليم والتعلم‬ ‫جامعــــــــــة عمـــــــان األهليـــــــة‬
Teaching and Learning Center Al-Ahliyya Amman University

First topic: Zero conditional

Zero conditional, also known as the factual conditional expresses facts; things that are always true. It also expresses habits,
rules, or gives instructions that are the results of things happening first. Examples:
1. If you heat ice, it melts! 2. If the weather is hot, I go to the beach.

Condition result Condition result

** In the first sentence, the result (it melts) is a fact that happens any time the condition happens (if you heat ice).
** In the second sentence, the result (I go to the beach) is a habit that happens any time the condition happens (if the weather
is hot).
The zero conditional is formed by using (if or when) + present simple in the (conditional phrase) + present simple in the
main phrase (result). So the form of the zero conditional is: if / when + subject+ present simple Subject+
present simple). Examples:
1. If ice melts, it becomes cold water. (fact)
2. If I go London, I eat their traditional fish and chips! (habit)
3. If it gets cold, turn the heater on. (instruction)

** Please note that in zero conditional, we never use (will) in the main clause (result). This is because the zero conditional
doesn’t express future.

What is difference between if and when in the zero conditional?

** With (if), there is a slight chance that the action might not happen. In other words, in case the action happens, then the
result will defiantly happen. But it is not definite that the action (condition) itself will absolutely happen. For example:

- If I go London, I eat their traditional fish and chips. (But I am not sure that I will go to London)

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 ‫مركز التعليم والتعلم‬ ‫جامعــــــــــة عمـــــــان األهليـــــــة‬
Teaching and Learning Center Al-Ahliyya Amman University

** With (when), it is certain that the action will defiantly happen. For example:
- When ice melts, it becomes cold water. (I am sure that this particular ice will definitely melt, and as a result, it will become
a cold water).
Here are a few more examples on the zero conditional:
1. When the sun shines, it gets bright. (The sun will definitely shine, so the result is definite too).
2. If you leave food out of the fridge, it spoils. (I may not leave the food out of the fridge, so the result is not definite).
3. If the power goes out, don’t do the laundry. (The power may not go out, so the result is not definite).

Please remember that with the zero conditional, you cannot use (will).
Second topic: First conditional
The first conditional is also known as the possible conditional. In this conditional we talk about any action that may possibly
happen at any time in the future. Events which can easily happen to anyone at any time in the future. We use it to express
predictions, plans, promises, offers, suggestions, and warnings. All of these are things which are likely to happen to anyone
in the future. In the first conditional, we do not use the present simple only; because we are talking about the (future). This
means that we should use will in the first conditional. So what is the form of the first conditional?
If + subject+ present simple Subject + will + present simple.
(Conditional clause) (Main clause) (Result)
Let’s go through some examples:
1. If you don’t eat now, you will (probably) feel hungry later. (Prediction/ not sure).
2. If you sell me your car, I will give you a good price. (Offer/ not sure).
3. If you pass your exams, I will buy you a new phone. (Promise / not sure), because there is a chance that he doesn’t pass
the exam, consequently the result will not happen.
4. If I finish my homework early, we will go out for dinner. (Plan/ not sure), because there is a chance that he doesn’t finish
the homework early, consequently the result will not happen.
5. If you drive fast, you will get a speeding ticket. (Warning/ not sure), because there is a chance that he doesn’t drive fast,
consequently the result will not happen.
Please remember that with the first conditional, you must use (will).
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 ‫مركز التعليم والتعلم‬ ‫جامعــــــــــة عمـــــــان األهليـــــــة‬
Teaching and Learning Center Al-Ahliyya Amman University

So what is the difference between the zero and first conditional? On what basis should choose which one to use?

** Simple answer is: based on the meaning of each conditional. Let’s analyze the answer though one example.

- If you turn the light off at night, it becomes dark (Zero conditional).
- If you turn the light off at night, it will become dark. (First conditional).

Both of these sentences are grammatically correct, but there is a slight difference in the meaning!
- In the first sentence, we are stating a general universal fact or truth; that appeals to every similar situation. It is generally
correct. For general universal truths, we use the zero conditional.
- In the second sentence, we are using this general universal truth in one specific situation. Imagine that your brother is willing to
turn the light the room off at 10 o’clock in the evening, and you want to stop him! You would say:” If you turn the light off at
night, it will become dark”. Because you need to use this well- known fact for one specific purpose!

To sum up! Use the first conditional for future possibilities. And remember to use (will) with the first conditional.

Third topic: Second conditional

For the second conditional we are going to look at:
- The meaning of the second conditional, in other words, when to use it.
- The form of the second conditional, in other words, what it looks like.
- Some extra tips on how to use it.

1. The meaning:
Use the second conditional to:
A. Imagine that life is different.
B. Ask hypothetical questions.
C. Give advice.
D. Give reasons why you cannot do something.

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 ‫مركز التعليم والتعلم‬ ‫جامعــــــــــة عمـــــــان األهليـــــــة‬
Teaching and Learning Center Al-Ahliyya Amman University

Let’s start:
A. Use second conditional to imagine that life is different:
1) We use the second conditional to talk about things in the future that are unlikely. In other words, things that are
extremely hard to happen, or very unlikely. Not impossible but very far from happening. Example:
- If I won the lottery, I would buy a new house. Winning the lottery is not impossible, but highly unlikely to happen.
2) Things that are impossible in the present. In other words, we use it to dream that things were different than how
it actually is. Example:

- If I were a doctor, I would help the poor for free. I am not actually a doctor in the present time, I only imagining.
B. Use the second conditional to ask hypothetical questions:
1) To ask someone what they imagine what they would do in a different situation. Example:
- What would you do if you lost your phone? The truth is that he didn’t lose the phone, so it’s an imaginary question to
provoke thinking.
- If you won a million dollar, would you leave the country? The truth is that he didn’t win the money, it’s an imaginary
question.
C. Use the second conditional to give advice:
1) When someone asks you for an advice, you try to imagine what you would do if you were in that same situation.
So again, it is an imaginary and unreal situation. Example:
- If I were you, I would talk to my friend before I make my judgment. The truth is that I am not actually you! I am only
imagining.
- If I were her, I would leave the room immediately. The truth is that I am not actually her! I am only imagining.
Please note:
We use (were) instead of (was) in the second conditional because it is more formal, But it is also correct to use (was).
If I were you/ if I was you. (Were) is more recommended with the conditionals.

D. Use the second conditional to give reasons why you can’t do something:
1) In English, people usually try to give excuse for not doing something instead of just saying (no)! It has to do with
politeness. So instead of refusing without any explanation, they use the second conditional to express why they
couldn’t fulfill other’s demands. Example:

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 ‫مركز التعليم والتعلم‬ ‫جامعــــــــــة عمـــــــان األهليـــــــة‬
Teaching and Learning Center Al-Ahliyya Amman University

- If I had money, I would lend it to you. This sentence says why I can’t lend you the money, simply because I don’t have it!
- If I was at home, I would help you clean your room. But I am not actually at home, so I can’t help you out.

2. The form of the second conditional:

If + subject + past simple Subject + would+ infinitive form of the verb.
(Conditional clause) (Main clause) (Result)
- If she took the phone she would tell me.

3. General tips:

A) (If) is a subordinating conjunction that links two clause together: The conditional clause and the main clause.
B) With all types of conditionals, you can change the order of the clauses, the meaning remains stays the same. But
a comma must be used to separate the two clauses if you place the conditional clause at the beginning, whereas it
shouldn’t be used if the conditional clause is in the middle.

Please remember to use (would) with the second conditional.

Fourth topic: Third conditional
Have you ever wished that a situation from the past had been different? Maybe the final exams are over, all of your friends
passed but you didn’t! Do you regret that you didn’t study enough, and as a result you didn’t pass? Do you wish you could go
back in time and study harder? Regrets can’t be changed, simply because they are a past! No one can go back in time to change
what happened in the past. In these situation, we use the third conditional to express regrets!

1) Like every other conditional, the third conditional has two clauses:

- The if clause (conditional)

- The main clause (result).

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 ‫مركز التعليم والتعلم‬ ‫جامعــــــــــة عمـــــــان األهليـــــــة‬
Teaching and Learning Center Al-Ahliyya Amman University

2) The form of the third conditional:

If + subject+ had+ past participle form of the verb (V3) Subject + would have+ past participle form of the verb (V3)

(Conditional clause) (Main clause) (Result)

- If she had invited me to her wedding I would have attended gladly

Please note: the truth is that I wasn’t invited to the wedding, and as a result, I didn’t attend.
More examples on the third conditional

1. If I had taken my medicine, I would have felt better. The truth is that I didn’t take my medicine, which is why I got sick.
So I am expressing regret.

2. If she had slept early, she wouldn’t have missed her exam. The truth is that she didn’t sleep early, and as a result, she
missed her exam. So she is expressing regret.