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1st +2nd Conditionals

The document explains the First and Second Conditionals in English grammar. The First Conditional is used for possible future events using the structure 'if + present simple, will + infinitive', while the Second Conditional describes unlikely future events or present impossibilities with 'if + past simple, would + infinitive'. Key differences are highlighted, emphasizing the likelihood of the events described.

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14 views2 pages

1st +2nd Conditionals

The document explains the First and Second Conditionals in English grammar. The First Conditional is used for possible future events using the structure 'if + present simple, will + infinitive', while the Second Conditional describes unlikely future events or present impossibilities with 'if + past simple, would + infinitive'. Key differences are highlighted, emphasizing the likelihood of the events described.

Uploaded by

kg4syw2pj4
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Conditionals : condition +

result.

I. The First
Conditional
The first conditional has the present simple after 'if', then
the future simple in the other clause: if + present simple, …
will + infinitive

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.

● If it rains, I won't go to the park.


● If I study today, I'll go to the party tonight.
● If I have enough money, I'll buy some new shoes.
● She'll be late if the train is delayed.
● She'll miss the bus if she doesn't leave soon.
● If I see her, I'll tell her.

II. The Second


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

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

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.

● If I won the lottery, I would buy a big house.(I probably won't


win the lottery)
● If I met the Queen of England, I would say hello.
● She would travel all over the world if she were rich.
● She would pass the exam if she ever studied.(She never studies,
so this won't happen)

Second, we can use it to talk about something in the present


which is impossible, because it's not true.

Examples :
● If I had his number, I would call him. (I don't have his number
now, so it's impossible for me to call him).
● If I were you, I wouldn't go out with that man.

Note :

First vs. Second Conditional:


● The first conditional describes things that I think are
likely to happen in the future, whereas the second
conditional talks about things that I don't think will really
happen. It's subjective; it depends on my point of view.

For example :

First conditional: If she studies harder, she'll pass the exam (I


think it's possible she will study harder and so she'll pass)

Second conditional: If she studied harder, she would pass the


exam (I think that she won't study harder, or it's very unlikely,
and so she won't pass)

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