Conditional
Sentences
And other expressions of conditions
Zero Conditional if/when + present + present/imperative
if/when + past + past
We use the Zero or Real Conditional to talk about
things that are generally true in the present or in
the past, in particular laws and rules, or to give
instructions if a condition is met.
If I eat too much chocolate, I feel sick.
If you see a spider, run!
It gets cold here when the sun goes down.
If we called each other names, my parents grounded us for a
week.
The terms "present" and "past" are used instead of "present tense (simple or continuous)" and "past tense (simple or
continuous"), for the sake of simplicity.
First Conditional if/when + present + future simple/
modal verbs with future meaning
We use the First Conditional to talk about future
situations we think are likely or probable to
happen.
If it rains tomorrow, we won't go camping.
I can't go out if I don't finish my homework.
If you pay attention, you may see a shooting star.
They might arrive on time if there isn't much traffic.
Let`s practice
1. I will tell him if I _____________ him. (TO FIND)
1. If I _________, I sing badly. (TO SING)
2. If I stop by, I _______________ you. (TO CALL)
2. If it is cold, we do not ___________. (TO WALK)
3. We ________________ him, if he is home. (TO
3. He takes medicine if he __________ill. (TO BE)
VISIT)
4 I ______________ dinner if I work late. (TO
4. If they argue, they ________________up. (TO
COOK, NEGATIVE)
BREAK)
5. If we ride the bus, we ___________in the front
5. If it _______________today, I will take the bus.
seats. (TO SIT)
(TO RAIN)
Second Conditional if+ past simple + modal verb with
future-in-the-past meaning
We use the Second Conditional to talk about
present or future situations we think are
impossible or unlikely to happen.
I might work harder if they paid me better.
If you really wanted to help, you would be trying harder.
If you studied harder, you could do better at school.
If I were* you, I'd tell my parents the truth.
*We use "were" with all subject pronouns in the Second Conditional (Subjunctive mood).
Third Conditional if + past perfect + future-in-the-past
modal verbs + have + past participle
We use the Third Conditional to imagine a
different past, in which something did or didn't
happen, and we also imagine a different result.
You wouldn't have cut your head if you had been wearing a
safety helmet.
If I hadn't lost my job, I could have been promoted.
If she had seen anything, she would have told the police.
Let`s practice
1. If I had been smart, I _____ to college and
1. I would buy a new car if I _____ one I liked.
gotten an education. (TO GO)
(TO FIND)
2. If she had planted a garden, she _____
2. If you were wealthy _____ you _____? (TO
many vegetables. (TO GROW)
TRAVEL)
3. We _____ married if we hadn’t met. (TO BE,
3. She _____ the house if she had more time.
NEGATIVE)
(TO CLEAN)
4. He _____ better if he had practiced more.
4. If I _____ you, I would not call her. (TO BE)
(TO PLAY)
Summary
Zero or Real First Second Third
possible or likely imaginary or less imaginary or
Condition generally true
to happen likely to happen impossible
present or
Result present or past future past
future
What would you do if...
What would you do if you What would you do
had a million dollars? if it snows?
What would you do if you What would you do if
lost your keys? you`ve been promoted?
What would you do if I
lived in London? What would you do if
someone stole your phone?
EXTRA HARD
1. If you ___________ only __________ harder you would pass the class. (TO STUDY)
2. If the aspirin will ease my headache I _____________ a couple tonight. (TO TAKE)
3. If anyone should call, please ___________ a message. (TO TAKE)
4. If I ____________________the house, I could have gone to the movies. (TO CLEAN)
5. If she had told me she needed a ride, I _________________earlier. (TO LEAVE)
Notes
The use of the comma
When the if clause comes before the main clause,
it is followed by a comma.
If you don't hurry, you'll miss the plane!
When the if clause comes after the main clause,
there is no comma between the clauses.
You'll miss the plane if you don't hurry!
Notes
Verb Forms
The verbs in the conditional clause may be in the
simple or continuous forms, with a difference in
the meaning, either in the present or the past.
If I cook, you do the dishes.
If I'm cooking, please don't come near the oven.
f I were mugged, I'd go to the police immediately.
If I were being mugged, I wouldn't fight back. It could
be even more dangerous.
Notes
"If I was" or "If I were"?
If I/he/she/it were is used when we refer to a hypothetical
situation. This is a second conditional sentence, in which the
verb in the conditional clause is in the subjunctive mood.
If I were you, I'd be more careful.
If I/he/she/it was is used when we refer to a real situation.
This is a real or zero conditional sentence, in which the verb
in the conditional clause is in the indicative mood.
If I was rude, please forgive me.
Homework
If everybody (give) 1€ we would have enough.
If I see him I (tell) him all about it.
If he had known that the river was dangerous he (not try) to swim
If I had known you were in hospital I (visit) you.
across it.
He would get fat if he (stop) smoking.
If you (paint) the walls white the room would be much brighter.
Many tourists would come to this country if it (have) a better climate.
The police (arrest) him if they catch him.
If I had realized the traffic lights were red I (stop).
If you had left that wasp alone it (not sting) you.
I (keep) a horse if I had the means to look after him properly.
If I find your passport I (telephone) you at once.
If he (eat) all that he will be ill.
Ice (turn) to water if you heat it.
What would you do if the lift (get) stuck between two floors?
If you (not like) this one I’ll bring you another.
If I (win) a big prize in a lottery I’d give up my job.
If I tell you a secret, you (promise) not to tell?
If we had more rain our crops (grow) faster.
If you pass your examination we (have) a celebration.
