Conditional

0) The Zer conditional : for certainty( Real conditional)

We use the zero conditional when we are talking about things that are generally true all the
time or when we are talking about habits. We use the present simple in both clauses.

Form: If clause( condition) main clause( result)

If you heat ice, it melts.

If people don’t eat, they get hungry.

If I miss the 8 o’ clock tram, I am late for work.

Does ice melt if you heat it?

Note : 1) we often use when instead of if. Ex: when I get up late, I miss my bus.

2) when the ‘if’ clause comes first, it is followed by comma.

3) when the main clause is first, there is no comma.

The zero conditional is used to talk about things that are always, or generally, true; it is also
used to talk about scientific facts. l
Match the clauses below.
1. If I am late for class, (A) if they don’t eat.
2. When he stays up very late, (B) I always look left and right.
3. People get hungry (C) my teacher gets angry.
4. If you study hard, (D) when he is happy.
5. When she watches a movie, (E) I take a taxi to work.
6. When I cross the street, (F) he is very tired the next morning.
7. I can’t do my homework, (G) the librarian gets angry.
8. He always smiles (H) if you want to lose weight.
9. If I miss the bus, (I) she likes to eat popcorn.
10. When you make lots of noise, (J) when it rains.
11. Tea tastes sweet (K) I watch a funny movie.
12. You should eat less (L) he listens to music.
13. I always take my umbrella (M) you get good grades in school.
14. When I’m sad, (N) if you add some sugar.
15. When he cleans the house, (O) if I don’t have my glasses.

1) Condition possible to fulfil : real conditional

If + present will + base verb (V1)

or imperative
or modals + V1
If I learn, I will pass the exams.

We use the first conditional when we are talking about something that it may or it may not
happen in the future.
 If I learn, I will pass the exams.
If you see John tonight, tell him to e-mail me.
If you’re thinking of buying a lawnmower, You could try mine first.
If Ben gets up early, he can catch the bus.
If you have finished your coffee, We can pay the bill.

2) Condition not possible to fulfill: unreal conditional

If + past would/could/might + V1
We use the second conditional to talk about the consequence of
impossible events or situations in the present or the future.
the condition the consequence

If I knew where she lived, I would go and see her.

If I learned, I would/ could/ might pass the exams.

would you mind if I opened the window?

Conditionals are usually introduced by if or unless (= if not - normally used with type 1
conditionals).
The following expressions can be used instead of 'if': providing, provided (that), as long as, in case,
on condition (that), otherwise, or else, what if, supposing, even if, only if.
If you don't reserve a ticket, you won 't get a seat.
Unless you reserve a ticket, you won 't get a seat. (NOT: Unless don't reserve a
ticket, you won 't get a seat.
You will get a seat providing/provided (that)/as long as/only if you reserve a ticket.
Only if you reserve a ticket will you get a seat. (When we begin the sentence with "only if", we
invert the subject and the verb of the result clause.)
Reserve a ticket, otherwise/or else you won 't get a seat.
What if it rains, will you still go for a picnic with him?
Supposing it rains, will you still go for a picnic with him?
Will you still go for a picnic with him even if it rains?

3) Condition not possible to fulfil (regret)

If + had+ V3 would have + V3

The third conditional is used to express the imagined consequences of something that didn’t
happen in the past.
If it had rained, you would have got wet.
If you had worked harder, you would have passed the exam.

In these sentences, the time is past, and the situation is contrary to reality. The facts based on
are the opposite of what is expressed, and they refer to an unreal past condition and its
probable past result.
We can omit 'if‘. When we omit 'if' should, were and had (past Participle) come before the
subject.
If he should turn up, tell him to wait for me.
 Should he turn up, tell him to wait for me.
If I were you, I would speak to her.
 Were I you, I would speak to her.
If he had known, he would have told us.
 Had he known, he would have told us.
Exception:

1) After if, we often use were instead of was, especially in a formal style where it is considered
more correct.
- If I were rich, I would travel all over the world.
- If he/ she were a better manager, the company would
be more successful.
2) We use the structure "if I were you ..." to give advice.
- If I were you , I would take seriously English lessons.
3) when a single condition has many results, the if clause is usually stated only once.
Ex: if I were the boss, I would try to be considerate of my employees’ needs. I would give them
more time off for family responsibilities. I would even encourage my employees to volunteer in
their children’s schools during work hours. i would……

Mixed Conditionals:

Wish

EXERCISES:
choose the correct conditional form:

1. We won't go to the film unless they (arrive/arrived/had) ………… in the next 5 minutes.
2. She would help the poor if she (were/had been/is) ………… the President.
3. If I (stayed/had stayed/stay)………… in Boston, I would have found a new apartment.
4. She (would buy/ have bought/will buy) …………a new car if she had had the money.
5. If my brother (had thought/thinks/thought) …………twice, he wouldn't have made such a stupid
mistake.
6. You will become/would become/ would have become) …………a
VIP if you studies hard!
7. If the police (had known/knew/know) ………… all the facts,
they would have found the criminal.
8. Unless you (hurry up/hurried up/had hurried up) …………, we
will never arrive on time.
9.I don't understand this point of grammar. I wish I ______ it
better.
a- understood- b- would understand c- had understood
10.I miss my friends. I wish my friends ______ here
right now.
a- were b- would be c- had been
11.I speak terrible English. I wish I ______ English well
a- spoke b- would speak c- had spoken
12.I cannot sleep. The dog next door is making too much noise. I wish it ___________.
a- kept quiet b- would keep quiet c- had kept quiet
13.I didn't see the TV program but everybody said it was excellent. I wish I ______ it.
a- saw b- would see c- had seen
14.My son went out in the rain and now he has a bad cold. I wish he ______________out.
a- didn't go b- wouldn't go c- hadn't gone
15.I hate living in England. It's cold and it's damp. I wish I ____in Spain.
a- lived b- would live c- had lived

16. I love Agadir. I wish I ______ there right now.

a- were b- would be c- had been
17.I was only in Marrakech for a week. I wish I ______ more time there but I had to start my job.
a- had b- would have c- had had

18. That was a bad decision. If I (be)…………… you, I would change it as soon as possible.
19. Sunshine – at last! Imagine if the English weather were like this all the time. (it/not/be) ……
wonderful?
20.He's usually pleasant, but when he's tired he (be) ……….. pretty short-tempered. That's the way he is.
21. If you (not/be) ………… so stubborn you would find it a lot easier to keep your friends.
22. Sorry I didn't call you and tell you I wasn't coming. I would have
called you if I (have) ……… your number with me.
23. If the primary candidates _____ more on the issues, the results of the election
_____ quite different.
a. Had focused / would have been b. have focused / would be c. focused / can be
d. were focused / would have been
24. A: "Are you going to the theatre tomorrow?"
B: “No, but I wish I _____.” a. had b. am c. did d. were
25. It was silly of me not to buy that dress. I wish I _____ it.
a. could buy b. should buy c. bought d. had bought

ANSWERS:

choose the correct conditional form:

1. We won't go to the film unless they (arrive/arrived/had) ………… in the next 5 minutes.
2. She would help the poor if she (were/had been/is) ………… the President.
3. If I (stayed/had stayed/stay)………… in Boston, I would have found a new apartment.
4. She (would buy/ have bought/will buy) …………a new car if she had had the money.
5. If my brother (had thought/thinks/thought) …………twice, he wouldn't have made such a stupid
mistake.
6. You will (become/would become/would have become) …………a VIP if you study hard!
7. If the police (had known/knew/know) ………… all the facts, they would have found the criminal.
8. Unless you (hurry up/hurried up/had hurried up) …………, we will never arrive on time.
9. I don't understand this point of grammar. I wish I ______ it better.
a- understood- b- would understand c- had understood
10. I miss my friends. I wish my friends ______ here right now.
a- were b- would be c- had been
11. I speak terrible English. I wish I______ English well
a- spoke b- would speak c- had spoken
12. I cannot sleep. The dog next door is making too much noise. I wish it ______________ .
a- kept quiet b- would keep quiet c- had kept quiet
13. I didn't see the TV program but everybody said it was excellent. I wish I ______ it.
a- saw b- would see c- had seen
14.My son went out in the rain and now he has a bad cold. I wish he ______________out.
a- didn't go b- wouldn't go c- hadn't gone
15. I hate living in England. It's cold and it's damp. I wish I ____in Spain.
a- lived b- would live c- had lived
16. I love Agadir. I wish I ______ there right now.
a- were b- would be c- had been
17. I was only in Marrakech for a week. I wish I ______ more time there but I had to start my job.
a- had b- would have c- had had
18. That was a bad decision. If I (be) were you, I would change it as soon as possible.
19.Sunshine – at last! Imagine if the English weather were like this all the time. (it/not/be) it wouldn’t be
wonderful?
20. He's usually pleasant, but when he's tired he (be) is pretty short-tempered. That's the way he is.
21. If you (not/be) were not so stubborn you would find it a lot easier to keep your friends.
22. Sorry I didn't call you and tell you I wasn't coming. I would have
called you if I (have) had had your number with me.
23. If the primary candidates………….. more on the issues, the results of the
election _____________quite different.
a. had focused / would have been b. have focused / would be c. focused / can be
d. were focused / would have been
24. A: "Are you going to the theatre tomorrow?"
B: “No, but I wish I _____.”
a. had b. am c. did d. were
25. It was silly of me not to buy that dress. I wish I _____ it.
a. could buy b. should buy c. bought d. had bought