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Topic 8 - Conditional forms - zero, first, second, third, mixed

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17 views3 pages

Topic 8 - Conditional forms - zero, first, second, third, mixed

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ivetatodorova03
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Topic 8: Conditional Forms

Grammar Reference
Conditional Forms
We use conditional sentences to talk about possible situations and their results. A conditional
sentence consists of a main clause and a conditional clause. The conditional clause can refer to
different types of conditions: some conditions are possible or likely to occur, others are unlikely,
and others are impossible. These types of conditions are used in three types of sentences, called
first, second and third conditional sentences. The conditional clause may come before or after
the main clause.
First Conditional Sentences
We use the first conditional to talk about the result of an imagined future situation, when we
believe the imagined situation is likely to happen.
Examples:
• If the taxi doesn’t come soon, I will drive you myself.
• If I marry Celia, we will need the money.
• If he gets a job in Liverpool, he will have to get up early. It’s a long drive.

Formula:
Conditional Clause Main Clause
if + Present Simple Modal verb with future meaning (can / could / may / might /
must / ought to / shall / should / will / would) + base form of the
verb

Second Conditional Sentences


We use the second conditional to talk about the possible result of an imagined situation in the
present. We say what the conditions must be for the present situation to be different. We use a
past form in the conditional clause to indicate a distance from reality, rather than indicating past
time.
Examples:
• If people complained, things would change. (People don’t complain at the moment.)
• If you asked her nicely, she would say yes, I’m sure. (You haven’t asked her nicely.)
• If you decided to take the exam, you would have to register by 31 March. (You haven’t
decided to take the exam.)
Formula:
Conditional Clause Main Clause
if + Past Simple Modal verb (can / could / may / might / must / ought to / shall /
should / will / would) + base form of the main verb
Third Conditional Sentences
We use the third conditional when we imagine a different past, where something did or did not
happen, and we imagine a different result.
Examples:
• If I had played better, I would have won. (But I didn’t play well and I didn’t win.)
• It would have been easier if George had brought his own car. (But he didn’t bring his car
and it wasn’t easy.)
• If they had left earlier, they would have arrived on time. (But they didn’t leave earlier and
they didn’t arrive on time.)
Formula:
Conditional Clause Main Clause
if + Past Perfect Modal verb (can / could / may / might / must / ought to / shall /
should / will / would) + have + Past Participle

Zero Conditional Sentences


We use the zero conditional when we discuss absolutely certain facts for which the result of the
condition is always true. Most commonly, zero conditionals are used for expressing scientific
facts or general truths. Therefore, zero conditionals do not deal with the future or the past; they
simply deal with facts. The ‘if’ in these conditionals can be replaced with ‘when’.
Examples:
• If / When you cool water to zero degrees, it turns into ice.
• If / When you push that button, the indicator lights up.
• If / When you heat water, it boils.
Formula:
Conditional Clause Main Clause
if + Present Simple Present Simple form of the main verb

Mixed Conditional Sentences


We use the mixed conditional when we want to emphasize that things that did or did not happen
in the past have results which continue or are still important in the present.
Examples:
• If I hadn’t met Charles, I wouldn’t be here now. (I met Charles so I’m here now.)
• If we hadn’t given her a pay-rise, she wouldn’t still be working for us. (We gave her a pay-
rise so she is still working for us now.)
Formula:
Conditional Clause Main Clause
if + Past Perfect Modal verb (can / could / may / might / must / ought to / shall /
should / will / would) + base form of the main verb
Sources:
Collins COBUILD Intermediate English Grammar and Practice, Practice Material by Dave
Willis, HarperCollins Publishers 2004, 2011
English Grammar and Vocabulary – Language Practice for Advanced 4th Edition with Key,
Michael Vince, Macmillan Publishers Limited 2014

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