CONDITIONALS

Zero Conditionals
The zero conditional is a structure used
when the result of the condition is
always true.

 The structure of a zero
conditional sentence
In a zero conditional sentence there are two
clauses: an ‘if’ clause and a main clause. If
‘when’ is used instead of ‘if’, the most zero
conditional sentences have the same meaning
in the sentence.
The order of the clauses is not fixed – the ‘if’
clause can be first or second.



e.g. Ice floats if you drop it in water.

If you drop the ice in water, it floats.
 Comma?!
If the ‘if’ clause comes first, we usually put a
comma. If the ‘if’ clause comes second, we don´t
need a comma.

If clause, + main clause / Main clause + if clause
The simple present tense is the tense used in both
clauses.

If clause: If + subject + simple present verb + c.

Main clause: Subject + simple present verb + c.

e.g. Iron rusts if it gets wet.

 Using the zero conditional
The zero conditional is used to talking about
scientific facts or general truths.
Example: If you freeze water, it turns to ice.

Explanation: This is a scientific fact.
Example: If you drop an apple, it falls.

Explanation: This is an absolute truth based on
gravity.
Example: If you add three and three, you get
six.

Explanation: This is basically always true.
 Let’s Practice
1. Water boils if you heat it to 100 ºc.
2. If you mix red and white, you get pink.
3. Butter melts if you leave it in the sun.
4. If you've got a headache, take an aspirin.
5. If you add sugar, it tastes sweet.
6. A dog bites if you go near its food when it's eating.
7. If you pull a cat's tail, it scratches you.
8. You have more chance of being killed if you don't wear a seat belt.
9. You can end up brain damaged if you don't wear a crash helmet.
10.If you press this switch, the DVD player comes on.
11.If she comes home very late, her folks get very angry.
12.Farmers get very angry if you leave gates open in the country.
 The First Conditional
The first conditional (also called
conditional type 1) is used to talk about
a present or a future situation that is
possible to.

 The structure of a first
conditional sentence
In a first conditional sentence there are two
clauses: an ‘if’ clause and a main clause.
The order of the clauses is not fixed – the ‘if’
clause can be first or second.



e.g. Full form: If it is sunny tomorrow, we will
go to the country.

Contracted form: We´ll go to the country
if it´s sunny tomorrow.
 Comma?!
If the ‘if’ clause comes first, we usually put a
comma. If the ‘if’ clause comes second, we don´t
need a comma.

If clause, + main clause / Main clause + if clause
The verb in the ‘if’ clause is in the simple present
tense; the verb in the main clause is in the future
tense.

If clause: If + subject + simple present verb + c.

Main clause: Subject + future tense + c.

e.g. If we leave now, we will arrive early.
 Using the first conditional
 The first conditional refers to a possible condition and its
probable result.
 Example: If we don´t protect the Iberian lynx, it will soon become
extinct.

Explanation: Perhaps it will become extinct – It´s a possibility.
 Example: If they arrange the room, their parents will be happy.

Explanation: Maybe they´ll arrange the room – That´s possible.
 Example: If William peel potatoes, Charles will cut onions.

Explanation: Perhaps William will peel potatoes - It´s a
possibility.



 Let’s Practice:
1. If Clare arrives late again, the hockey trainer will be furious.
2. You'll be sorry if you revise for your exams.
3. We will go if the weather's good.
4. They won´t recognize you if you wear a wig and dark glasses.
5. If the bus is on time, I won't miss the football.
6. If you do your homework now, you'll be free all tomorrow.
7. We will eat out if there's no food at home.
8. You'll find life much easier if you smile more often.
9. If it's hot, we will go for a swim.
10.You'll do it better if you take more time over it.
11.If she keeps practicing, she'll get better.
12.I will be so happy if I pass the exam.
13.You'll be really tired tomorrow if you don´t go to bed soon.
 Second Conditionals
The second conditional (also called
conditional type 2) is a structure used
for talking about an impossible or
unlikely event and its result in the
present or in the future.
 The structure of a second
conditional sentence
In a second conditional sentence there are two
clauses: an ‘if’ clause and a main clause.
The order of the clauses is not fixed – the ‘if’
clause can be first or second.



e.g. Full form: If I could live anywhere, I
would live in Paris.

Contracted form: I´d live in Paris if I
could live anywhere.
 Comma?!
If the ‘if’ clause comes first , it is followed by a
comma. If the ‘if’ clause comes second, it isn´t
followed by a comma.

If clause, + main clause / Main clause + if clause
We use the past simple tense in the ‘if’ clause.
We use would/ wouldn´t + base form to express
the result.

If clause: If + subject + simple past verb + c.

Main clause: Subject + would/ wouldn´t + base
form + c.

e.g. If I could afford the ticket, I´d go to the
 Comma?!
If the verb in the ‘if’ clause is to be, were is used
for all persons.

e.g. If the weather were better, we´d go to the
beach.

If I were you, I wouldn´t go.

 Using the second
conditional
The second conditional is used to talking about a future
situation that is unlikely to happen.
Example: If I met a film star in the street, I´d take a
photo with him/her.

Explanation: It´s a unlikely event.
Example: If I were you, I´d do my homework.

Explanation: It´s an impossible event – I am not you.
Example: I would phone him if I knew his number.

Explanation: You can´t phone him because you haven´t
his number.
 Let’s Practice:
1. If Joe were here, he would catch some fish for supper.
2. It would be nice if the rain stopped.
3. I would sing you a song if I had my guitar.
4. If I had a better sleeping bag, I wouldn´t feel so cold.
5. If this tent were any smaller, one of us would have to sleep
outside.
6. I would look out for bears if I were you.
7. If I weren´t be so hungry, I would share my beans with
you.
 Third Conditionals
The third conditional (also called
conditional type 3) is a structure used
to talking about situations in the past
that didn´t happen and their
hypothetical consequences.
 The structure of a third
conditional sentence
In a third conditional there are two clauses: an
‘if’ clause and a main clause.
The order of the clauses is not fixed – the ‘if’
clause can be first or second.



e.g. Full form: If I had won the lottery, I
would have traveled around the world.

Contracted form: I would´ve traveled
around the world if I´d won the lottery.
 Comma?!
If the ‘if’ clause comes first , it is followed by a comma.
If the ‘if’ clause comes second, it isn´t followed by a
comma.

If clause, + main clause / Main clause + if clause
We use the past perfect tense in the ‘if’ clause.
We use the present conditional tense in the main
clause.

If clause: If + subject + had/hadn´t + past participle
of the verb + c.

Main clause: Subject + would/ wouldn´t (or
 Comma?!

e.g. Full form: If we had had more money, we
would have lived in Sydney.

Contracted form: If we´d had more
money, we would´ve lived in Sidney.
 Using the third conditional

The third conditional is used to talking about

impossible conditions - impossible because they are in
the past and we can´t change what has happened.

Example: If I had had time, I would have gone to see
him.

Explanation: I didn´t go to see him because I didn´t
have time.

Example: If they had left earlier, they would have
arrived on time.

Explanation: They arrive late because they didn´t
leave earlier.
 Using the third conditional

 We can use this conditional to criticize

people, point out mistakes or express regret.

Example: If they hadn't drunk so much last
night, they wouldn't have felt sick today.

Criticism: They felt sick because they
drank so much.

Example: If it had been hot, I would have
gone to the beach.

Regret: It wasn´t hot, so we didn´t go to
the beach.
 Let’s Practice:
1. He crashed his car, because he fell asleep while driving. If he hadn
´t fallen asleep while driving, he wouldn´t have crashed his
car.
2. We couldn't go to the concert, because we didn't have enough
money. If we had had enough money, we could have gone to the
concert.
3. I lost my job because I was late for work. I wouldn´t have lost my
job if I hadn´t been late for work.
4. The wind was so strong that the bridge collapsed. If the wind hadn
´t been so strong, the bridge wouldn´t have been collapsed.
5. I couldn't call Sally because I had lost her number. I could have
called Sally if I hadn´t lost her number.