First Conditional Card Game

ESL First Conditional Game - Matching and Speaking Activity - Pre-intermediate - 30

minutes
In this entertaining first conditional activity, students play a game where they make
conditional sentences by matching pairs of picture cards together. Each group of three is
given a set of 'If' cards and a set of 'Result' cards. The 'Result' cards are dealt out and
the 'If' cards are placed in a pile on the desk. The first player turns over the top 'If' card
and makes the beginning of a first conditional sentence using the picture on the card.
For example, if the picture showed a person staying up late, the student might say, "If
you stay up late,…" All the players in the group then look at their result cards and try to
find an appropriate match to complete the first conditional sentence. The player with a
matching card then completes the sentence, e.g. '…you will feel tired the next day'. If
everyone agrees the sentence is suitable, the player keeps both cards and puts them
aside. The second player then turns over the next 'If' card and so on. The first player to
get rid of all their result cards wins the game. When the students have finished the
game, they write down the first conditional sentences their group made by looking at the
pairs of cards they set aside. These sentences are read to the class. The students
listening to the sentences correct any mistakes they hear and give feedback.

First Conditional Story

ESL First Conditional Worksheet - Reading and Writing Activity - Pre-intermediate - 20
minutes
This first conditional worksheet helps to introduce the first conditional structure to
elementary students. Each student is given a copy of the worksheet. Working alone,
students complete first conditional sentences in a story with the correct form of the verbs
in brackets. When the students have completed the story, the answers are checked with
the class by eliciting each sentence in turn from a student. Students score one point for
each correct sentence. The student with the most points wins.

First Conditional Worksheet

ESL First Conditional Worksheet - Reading and Writing Activity - Pre-intermediate - 25
minutes
This useful first conditional worksheet helps to teach students how to talk about possible
things that might happen in the future. Each student is given a copy of the two-page
worksheet. The students begin by reading through the introduction about how to form
and use the first conditional. Working alone, the students then practice the structure by
completing the first conditional sentences in the first exercise. When the students have
finished, the answers are checked with the class. Students then move on to match first
conditional sentence halves together and write out the complete sentences. Next,
students complete a set of first conditional sentences with their own ideas. Afterwards,
students answer some first conditional questions and create one more question of their
own. In pairs, the students then ask and answer the questions with their partner. Finally,
the students' answers and the first conditional are reviewed as a class.

Five-in-a-row
ESL First Conditional Game - Reading and Speaking Activity - Pre-intermediate - 30
minutes
In this fun first conditional game, students complete 'if' and 'result' clauses to make first
conditional sentences. The class is divided into pairs. Each pair is given a copy of the
first game board which contains an 'If' clause in each square. Students take it in turns to
choose a square and make a first conditional sentence by adding a suitable result
clause. If a student does this successfully, they draw their O or X symbol in the square. If
not, play passes to the other student. The aim of the game is to be the first student to
get five squares in a row either horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. The first student to
do this is the winner. Pairs then repeat the process with the second game board, but this
time the squares contain result clauses. The students' task this time is to make a first
conditional sentence by adding an appropriate 'if' clause to complete the sentence. For
lower-level classes, students can play in small teams or in competing pairs.

What did I write?

ESL First Conditional Activity - Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking - Pre-
intermediate - 35 minutes
In this first conditional worksheet activity, students play a guessing game to practice the
structure. The class is divided into two groups (A and B) and each student is given a
corresponding worksheet. The students complete the endings of the first conditional
sentences on their worksheet with their own ideas. Student As complete the odd-
numbered sentences and Student Bs complete the even-numbered sentences. When
the students have completed their sentences, they pair up with someone from the other
group. The students then play a game where they guess the endings of the first
conditional sentences their partner wrote. Student B starts and tries to guess the ending
of the first sentence. Student B has five chances to guess the exact words. If Student B
guesses right the first time, he/she gets five points. On the second try, he/she gets four
points. On the third try, he/she receives three points, etc. Then, it's Student A's turn to
guess the second sentence and so on. This process continues back and forth until all
the sentences have been used. The student with the highest score at the end of the
game wins.
What will happen?
ESL First Conditional Board Game - Speaking Activity - Pre-intermediate - 25 minutes
In this engaging first conditional game, students practice making conditional sentences
using the structure. The students are divided into groups of three or four. Each group is
given a copy of the game board, a dice and counters. Students take it in turns to roll the
dice and move their counter along the board. When a student lands on a square, they
read the prompt and make a first conditional sentence beginning with 'If...' Students can
finish the sentence any way they like, but it must contain the words in the square, be
appropriate and grammatically correct. If a student lands on a square marked 'IF', they
can make any first conditional sentence they like. If a student forms the sentence
correctly, they stay on the square. If not, the student must go back to their previous
square. The first student to reach the finish wins the game.

First Conditional Chain

ESL First Conditional Activity - Reading and Writing - Low intermediate - 25 minutes
In this enjoyable first conditional activity, students create conditional sentences in a
chain format. Students sit in a circle in groups of five or six. Each student is given a
worksheet and an 'If Clause' card. The students write their 'If' clause at the top of the
worksheet. Each student then passes their paper to the person on their right who
completes the second half of the first conditional sentence any way they like. The
student then folds the paper so the 'If' clause cannot be seen and passes the paper to
the student on their right. The next student then uses the second half of the sentence to
write the beginning half of a new first conditional sentence. The student then folds the
paper to hide the last sentence and passes it to the person on their right. This process
continues until the worksheet is completed. When everyone has finished writing,
students correct any mistakes on their worksheet and then read the sentences to their
group. Students then choose the best set of sentences from their group. These are read
aloud to the class.

First Conditional Dominoes

ESL First Conditional Activity - Reading and Matching - Low intermediate - 25 minutes
This rewarding dominoes game is ideal for reviewing first conditional sentence
structures. The students are divided into groups of three and each group is given a set
of dominoes. The students shuffle the dominoes and deal out five each, leaving the rest
in a pile face down. The students then turn over the top domino from the pile and place it
face up on the table. The first player tries to make a first conditional sentence by placing
a domino down either before or after the domino on the table. If the player can make a
sentence, they read it to the group to show the match is correct. The next player then
tries to put down one of their dominoes at either end of the domino chain and so on. If a
player cannot put down one of their dominoes, they take a domino from the top of the
pile and put it down if they can. If there are no dominoes left in the pile, play passes to
the next student. The first player to get rid of all their dominoes wins the game.

First Conditional Business

Business English First Conditional Worksheet - Reading, Writing and Speaking Activity -
Intermediate - 45 minutes
This productive first conditional worksheet activity can be used with Business English
students or adults. Each student is given a copy of the two worksheets. Students begin
by reading how to use and form the first conditional. Students then complete a gap fill
exercise using the first conditional structure. When the students have finished, the
answers are checked with the class. The students are then split into pairs. In pairs, the
students create a situational dialogue where they negotiate a production run and unit
cost for a new product using the first conditional. The dialogues are then presented to
the class and feedback is given.

First Conditional Practice

ESL First Conditional Worksheet - Reading, Matching, Writing and Speaking Activity -
Intermediate - 30 minutes
In this first conditional worksheet activity, students identify different ways of using the
first conditional and practice using it in two conversations. The students are divided into
pairs (A and B) and each student is given a corresponding worksheet. The students
begin by reading first conditional sentences and matching them with the way the first
conditional is used. When the students have finished, the answers are checked with the
class. The students then put a conversation that uses the first conditional in the correct
order by reading the sentences to their partner and numbering them. When each pair
has finished, they read the conversation to you. If the students have made any mistakes,
they repeat the activity until the conversation is ordered correctly. The pairs then move
on to create their own dialogue using the first conditional. They can use the same first
sentence from the previous conversation or write their own. You can also have a contest
to see which pair can include the most first conditional sentences in their dialogue.
Finally, the students read their dialogues to the class and feedback is given.

If...
ESL First Conditional Game - Reading and Speaking Activity - Intermediate - 25 minutes
In this entertaining first conditional activity, students play a game where they ask
conditional questions and answer with phrases of probability. The teacher begins by
writing probability phrases on the board, e.g. I doubt if, It’s unlikely, will definitely, will
probably, etc. The class is then divided into groups of three and each group is given a
set of 'If clause' cards. Students take it in turns to pick up a card. The student with the
card then asks the person on their right a first conditional question using the clause on
the card. If the student picks up an 'If...' card, they create their own first conditional
question. If the question is grammatically correct, the student scores a point. The other
student then answers the question using a phrase of probability from the board. If the
answer is grammatically correct, the student also gets a point. Then the next student
picks up a card and so on. The student with the highest score at the end of the game is
the winner.

If and When
ESL First Conditional Game - Reading and Writing Activity - Intermediate - 25 minutes
In this energetic first conditional game, students race to complete conditional sentences
and sentences containing the future time clause 'when'. The class is divided into teams
of three or four. A time limit is set and each team is given an incomplete sentence strip.
Teams then race to complete the first sentence, making sure the sentence is logical and
grammatically correct. As soon as a team has completed the sentence, one student from
the team comes to you with the strip. If it’s correct, the team gets a point and you give
the student the second strip and so on. If a sentence is incorrect, the team has to rewrite
it. When the time limit has been reached, the students stop writing. The team with the
most points at the end of the game wins.

First Conditional Advice Worksheet

ESL First Conditional Worksheet - Reading and Writing and Activity - Intermediate - 30
minutes
In this first conditional worksheet, students practice giving advice using the first
conditional with 'will' and other modal verbs. Each student is given a copy of the two-
page worksheet. Students begin by reading through the introduction about how to form
and use the first conditional. The students then complete first conditional sentences
about giving advice with words from a box. Next, students put words in the correct order
to make first conditional sentences about giving advice, adding punctuation and
capitalization where needed. Students then read an email to an advice columnist and
underline the 'if' clauses and double underline the clauses with a future meaning. Finally,
students take on the role of the advice columnist and write a response to the email,
giving advice using the first conditional. Students then read their reply to a partner who
says whether they agree with the advice given or not. Afterwards, there is a class
feedback session to hear the students' advice and discuss who gave the best response.
Zero Conditional Guessing Game
ESL Zero Conditional Worksheet - Reading, Writing and Speaking Activity - Pre-
intermediate - 35 minutes
In this zero conditional activity, students complete conditional sentences and then play a
guessing game based on what they wrote. Each student is given a copy of the
worksheet. The students write their normal reactions to the situations listed on the
worksheet by completing zero conditional sentences. In pairs, the students then take it in
turns to read only the part they have written in each sentence. Their partner has three
chances to guess which sentence the words came from. If their partner guesses right the
first time, he/she gets three points. On the second try, he/she gets two points. On the
third try, he/she receives one point. This process continues back and forth until all the
sentences have been used. The student with the highest score at the end of the game
wins.

Zero Conditional Appliances

ESL Zero Conditional Worksheet - Reading, Writing, Matching and Speaking Activity -
Pre-intermediate - 30 minutes
In this fun zero conditional worksheet activity, students use the zero conditional to
explain what kitchen appliances do. Each student is given a copy of the worksheet. The
students begin by matching words to pictures of kitchen appliances. When the students
have finished, the answers are checked with the class. After that, students move on to
match zero conditional sentence halves about the kitchen appliances and then write the
name of the appliance each sentence describes. Next, the students are divided into
pairs. The students then take it in turns to be someone from the 19th century and ask
questions about what the kitchen appliances do. The person from the 19th century
points to a picture and asks their partner: What do you do with it? Their partner answers
using the appropriate zero conditional sentence from Exercise B. When the students
have finished, they continue by asking the same question about things in the classroom
and reply to their partner's questions using the zero conditional.

If Martians
ESL Zero Conditional Worksheet - Writing, Listening and Speaking Activity -
Intermediate - 30 minutes
In this imaginative worksheet activity, students use the zero conditional to write and talk
about different groups of Martians. Each student is given a copy of the worksheet. The
students choose a colour for their Martians and write the colour at the top of the second
column. Working alone, the students complete the column with information about their
Martians by finishing the zero conditional sentences, e.g. 'If they are hungry, they eat
each other.' When the students have finished, they are divided into pairs. The students
ask their partner for the colour of their Martians and write the colour at the top of the last
column. The students then take it in turns to ask zero conditional questions about their
partner's Martians, e.g. 'What do orange Martians do if they are hungry?' Students write
their partner's answers in the last column by completing the zero conditional sentences
as before. Next, the students change partner and tell their new partner about similarities
and differences between the two types of Martians on their worksheet. Students also
find out if their new partner has similar answers. Afterwards, students write about the
most interesting differences between the types of Martians. Finally, there is a class
feedback session to discuss the students' answers and review the zero conditional.

What do you do if...?

ESL Zero Conditional Board Game - Reading and Speaking Activity - Intermediate - 30
minutes
In this entertaining zero conditional activity, students play a board game where they ask
and answer 'What do you do if...?' questions. The students are split into groups of four.
Each group is given a copy of the game board, a dice and counters. Players take it in
turns to roll the dice and move their counter along the board. When a player lands on a
square, the student to their right asks them a 'What do you do if...?' question from the
prompt on the square. The player then tries to answer the question appropriately by
making a zero conditional sentence. If the player forms the sentence correctly, they stay
on the square. If not, the player must go back to their previous square. The first player to
reach the finish wins the game.

Going Away
ESL Second Conditional Activity - Reading, Writing and Speaking - Pre-intermediate - 35
minutes
In this second conditional worksheet activity, students ask and answer questions about
how they would spend their last day at home if they were going away for a year. Each
student is given a copy of the worksheet. The students complete second conditional
sentences about how they would spend their last day at home and write their answers in
the column marked 'You' on their worksheet, e.g. 'If I had one last day at home, I’d eat a
big steak with french-fries'. When they have done this, students write second conditional
questions using the verbs from the first column, e.g. 'If you had one last day at home,
what would you eat?' When the students have finished, they use the questions to
interview a partner about how they would spend their last day at home. Students write
their partner’s answers in the corresponding column using the third person, e.g. 'If
Emma had one last day at home, she would eat spaghetti.' Afterwards, students report
back to the class on anything interesting, surprising or amusing they found out.

I think you would...

ESL Second Conditional Activity - Reading, Writing and Speaking - Pre-intermediate - 30
minutes
In this intriguing second conditional worksheet, students complete conditional sentences
by guessing information about a classmate. Students then find out if their guesses were
right or wrong. The class is divided into pairs (A and B) and each student is given a
corresponding worksheet. The students complete ten second conditional sentences on
their worksheet by guessing what their partner would do in each situation. When they
have finished, the students take it in turns to read their completed sentences to their
partner, who tells them if their sentences are right or wrong. If a sentence is wrong, their
partner explains why.

What would you do?

ESL Second Conditional Activity - Reading, Writing and Speaking - Pre-intermediate - 25
minutes
In this fun second conditional worksheet activity, students talk about what they would do
in hypothetical situations. Each student is given a copy of the worksheet. Students begin
by completing second conditional sentences about what they would do in certain
hypothetical situations. When they have finished, the students are divided into pairs.
Students then take it in turns to ask their partner what they would do in each situation.
Their partner replies by making a second conditional sentence and the other student
writes the answer on the worksheet. When they have finished, students tell the class
what they found out about their partner.

Characterizations
ESL Second Conditional Game - Writing, Listening and Speaking Activity - Intermediate
- 50 minutes
In this intriguing second conditional game, students practice making conditional
sentences with the verb to be. In teams, students imagine their classmates as other
things, like colours or flowers. Students then listen to characterizations imagined by
other teams and try to identify the classmates being described. The students are divided
into teams of three or four and each team is given an ideas sheet. In their teams,
students match 20 class members with categories on the Ideas sheet. Students then
think of something specific belonging to the category that describes each person, writing
a reason for their choice, e.g. 'A team might characterize Jane as a building and
specifically as a library, because she loves to read'. Each team is then given a
characterizations sheet. Students write each characterization in the second conditional,
putting an X where the student’s name should be, e.g. 'If X were a building, she would
be a library, because she loves to read'. One team then goes first and reads their
characterizations to another team. The other team listens to each characterization in turn
and fills out an answer sheet with the information. The team then tries to identify the
person being characterized. If the team guesses correctly, they win a point. When all the
characterizations have been given, the teams swap roles. The team with the most points
at the end of the game wins.

Second Conditional Board Game

ESL Second Conditional Board Game - Reading, Listening and Speaking Activity -
Intermediate - 30 minutes
Here is an intriguing board game to help students review and practice the second
conditional. The students are divided into groups of three or four and each group is
given a copy of the game board, a dice and counters. Students place their counters on
the start square. The students then take it in turns to roll the dice and move their counter
along the board. When a student lands on a square containing the beginning of a
second conditional sentence, the student completes the sentence with their own idea. If
a student lands on an 'If' square, the student makes their own second conditional
sentence. The group listens to the student's sentence and decides if it is grammatically
correct or not. If it is, the student stays on the square. If not, the student goes back to
their previous square. The first student to reach the finish wins the game. Afterwards,
there is a class feedback session to review the students' sentences. Any interesting
answers are then discussed in more detail.

The Panel
ESL Second Conditional Game - Writing, Listening and Speaking Activity - Intermediate
- 40 minutes
In this entertaining second conditional game, students try to write matching answers for
hypothetical situations. The class is divided into teams of four or five. Each team
consists of a 'contestant' and 'panel members'. The panel members sit together and the
contestants sit in a row at the front of the class. The class is given a hypothetical
question using the second conditional. Each contestant writes an answer to the question
and keeps it secret. The panel members each write the answer that they think their
contestant wrote. The contestants then hold up or read out their answers one by one.
Panel members are then asked to hold up or read out their answers. For each matching
answer, teams receive one point. This process is repeated until all the questions have
been answered. The team with the most points at the end of the game wins. This activity
has been adapted from 'Hot Seat' by James Kealey and Donna Inness.

20 Questions in the Second Conditional

ESL Second Conditional Game - Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking Activity -
Intermediate - 30 minutes
In this creative second conditional activity, students play a game where they write, ask
and answer questions with the second conditional. The students are divided into groups
of four and each student is given a set of second conditional question cards. The
students use their own ideas to complete each second conditional question by writing
the second half of the question. When the students have finished, they put all the cards
together, shuffle them and place them face down in a pile on the desk. The students
then take it in turns to pick up a card and read the second conditional question on the
card to the other group members. The other group members listen to the question and
then each try to give the best answer they can using the second conditional. The student
with the question card listens to each response and gives the card to the student who
they thought gave the best answer. The game continues with students taking it in turns
to ask and answer questions until all the cards have been used. The student with the
most question cards at the end of the game is the winner. Afterwards, there is a class
feedback session to go through some of the best questions and answers from each
group.

What would you do if...?

ESL Second Conditional Activity - Writing and Speaking - Intermediate - 35 minutes
In this captivating second conditional activity, students ask their classmates what they
would do in various hypothetical situations. Students then write a second conditional
sentence about each person's answer. Each student is given a card. Students stand up
and ask another student what they would do in the situation on their card, e.g. 'What
would you do if you won the lottery?' Students then go back to their desk and write a
second conditional sentence about the person's answer, e.g. 'If Alex won the lottery, he
would buy a Lamborghini'. Students then exchange their card with a classmate and the
process is repeated. This continues until everybody has written at least ten sentences.
Afterwards, students say what their classmates would do in the different situations.

Would you...?
ESL Second Conditional Activity - Reading and Speaking - Intermediate - 35 minutes
In this group discussion activity, students practice asking and answering second
conditional questions. The class is divided into groups of three or four and each group is
given a set of question cards, which they shuffle and place face down in a pile on the
desk. Students take it in turns to pick up a card and complete the question using the
second conditional. The student then asks the other group members the question on the
card. Each group member answers the question in turn and the students discuss the
answers. The student notes down the group's answers on the back of the card. Then the
next student picks up a card and so on. When the students have finished, the groups tell
the class their findings

If we didn't have...
ESL Second Conditional Game - Speaking Activity - Upper-intermediate - 30 minutes
In this engaging second conditional game, students define things by making conditional
sentences about what life would be like without the items. The class is divided into
groups of three or four and each group is given a set of cards. The students take it in
turns to pick up a card and make second conditional sentences about what life would be
like without the item on the card. The student who is defining uses second conditional
structures from the board and gives up to three definitions. The student must define the
item without saying what it is. When a group member guesses the item correctly, they
win and keep the card. If no one manages to guess correctly after three definitions, the
student who is defining keeps the card. Therefore, students shouldn't make their
definitions too easy to guess. The students play until all the cards have been used. The
student with the most cards at the end of the game is the winner.
Second Conditional Election
ESL Second Conditional Activity - Reading, Writing and Speaking - Upper-intermediate -
45 minutes
In this second conditional worksheet activity, students create a political party and tell the
class what they would do if they were elected. The class is divided into groups of three
or four and each group is given a copy of the worksheet. The groups are told that they
are a political party and that they need to decide on their party's policies for the next
election by answering the ten questions on the worksheet. The questions are based on
the environment, education, health, politics, crime and punishment. When the groups
have finished writing their policies, they tell the other groups what they would do if they
were elected using the second conditional. As the other students listen to each policy,
they comment on the negative consequences of the policy by making second conditional
statements. The group then responds. This continues until either the group or students
have won the argument. After all the groups have presented their policies, the class
votes for the party they would elect.

Complete the Conditional

ESL Third Conditional Worksheet - Reading, Writing and Speaking Activity -
Intermediate - 30 minutes
In this third conditional worksheet activity, students play a game where they complete
conditional sentences with verb phrases. The class is divided into pairs (A and B) and
each student is given a corresponding worksheet. The students read through the third
conditional sentences on their worksheet and think about how they could complete the
gaps with verb phrases. Student A starts by reading the first sentence to Student B,
adding in their guess for the missing verb phrase. Student A has three chances to guess
each missing verb phrase. If Student A guesses the exact words that Student B has in
bold on their worksheet, Student A scores three points, writes the missing words in the
gaps, and moves on to the next sentence. If their guess is wrong, Student A tries again
for two points and then for one point. This continues until all the third conditional
sentences have been guessed. It's then Student B's turn to guess the missing verb
phrases in their sentences. The student with the most points at the end of the game
wins.

Guess my Sentence
ESL Third Conditional Game - Reading, Writing and Speaking Activity - Intermediate -
25 minutes
Here is a fun third conditional game to play in class. The students are divided into pairs
(A and B) and each student is given a corresponding part of the worksheet. Both
students have the same third conditional sentences, but where they have words in bold,
their partner has gaps and vice versa. Student B starts by reading the first sentence and
guessing the missing words in the gaps using the third conditional. Student B has three
chances to guess the missing words. If Student B guesses the exact words that Student
A has in bold on their worksheet, Student B scores three points and writes the missing
words in the gap. If the guess is wrong, Student B tries again for two points and then for
one point. Then, it's Student A's turn to guess the missing words in the second sentence
and so on. This continues until all the sentences have been guessed. The student with
the most points at the end of the game wins.

Just Imagine
ESL Third Conditional Game - Writing and Speaking Activity - Intermediate - 30 minutes
In this entertaining third conditional game, students complete conditional sentences
about imaginary or unlikely situations in the past. The students then play a game where
they race to find out who wrote each sentence by asking third conditional questions.
Each group of three is given a set of cards, which they deal out evenly. Students then
complete the third conditional sentences on their cards any way they like. The students
now work together as a class. They fold up their completed sentences and put them in a
box in the middle of the room. Each student takes a card from the box and goes around
the class asking a third conditional question to find out who wrote the sentence on their
card. When a student finds the person who wrote the sentence, they write the person’s
name on the card, keep it, and take another card from the box. The students repeat the
activity until there are no sentences left. The student with the most sentences at the end
of the game wins. Afterwards, students report back to the class on what they found out
during the activity.

Regrets
ESL Third Conditional Activity - Reading, Writing and Speaking - Intermediate - 45
minutes
In this third conditional activity, students create short speeches by famous people or
characters and then play a game where they guess who is giving each speech. The
students are divided into teams of three or four. Each team prepares a number of short
speeches that famous people or characters could have given regretting actions they had
done in the past. When the teams have finished writing, they read out their speeches in
turn to the class. After a team has read out a speech, the students discuss who it could
be and each team writes down an answer. Each team then gives their answer and the
famous person or character is revealed. Teams receive one point for each correct
guess. The team with the most points at the end of the game wins.

Third Conditional Board Game

ESL Third Conditional Board Game - Reading and Speaking Activity - Intermediate - 25
minutes
Here is an engaging third conditional game to help students practice or review third
conditional forms. In the activity, students play a board game where they complete third
conditional sentences and ask and answer third conditional questions. Each group of
three or four is given a copy of the game board, a dice and counters. Players take it in
turns to roll the dice and move their counter along the board. When a player lands on a
square, they use the clause in the square to make a third conditional sentence. If the
sentence is grammatically correct and makes sense, the player stays on the square. If a
player lands on an 'Ask a question' square, they must ask a third conditional question to
another student. If a player cannot make a sentence or question or they complete a
sentence or question incorrectly, they must go back to their previous square. The first
player to reach the finish square wins the game.

If things were different

ESL Third Conditional Activity - Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking - Upper-
intermediate - 30 minutes
In this teaching activity, students find out what happened to their classmates last week
and write third conditional sentences about how things could have been different. Each
student is given a role card and a copy of the worksheet. The students read their role
card and imagine that this is what happened to them last week. The students then go
around finding out what happened to their classmates. After speaking to a classmate,
students find out the number on their role card and write a third conditional sentence
about how things could have been different next to the corresponding number on the
worksheet. When the students have finished, possible third conditional sentences for
each role card are elicited from the students.

It's regrettable
ESL Third Conditional Game - Writing and Speaking Activity - Upper-intermediate - 35
minutes
In this rewarding third conditional activity, students play a game where they try to identify
problems from conditional sentences expressing regret. The students are divided into
groups of three and each group is given a set of cards. The students shuffle the cards
and place them face down in a pile on the desk. Each student takes a card and thinks
about what caused the problem on their card. The students then plan how to express
regrets about the situation using the third conditional, without saying what the problem
is. When they are ready, the students take it in turns to talk about their regrets for the
problem on their card. Student should express at least three regrets for each problem.
The other students listen and try to identify the problem. The first student to guess
correctly wins the card. If no one guesses correctly, the student expressing the regrets
keeps the card. Afterwards, the students take a new card each and repeat the process.
This continues until all the cards have been used. The student with the most cards at the
end of the game is the winner.

My Mistake
ESL Third Conditional Activity - Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking - Upper-
intermediate - 40 minutes
In this third conditional activity, students role-play accepting responsibility for mistakes.
The class is split into groups of three or four and each group is given a set of eight strips
containing third conditional clauses. The groups have fifteen minutes to prepare a short
role-play about a mistake that someone had made. The situation for the role-play is left
up to the students. The only rule is that the role-play must include the eight clauses on
the strips. When everyone is ready, the groups present their role-plays to the class.
While the groups are presenting, the other students listen and hold up a corresponding
strip each time they hear one of the eight clauses. After each group’s role-play, the
students in the audience make third conditional sentences about the group’s story, e.g.
'If Tom had woken up earlier, he wouldn't have missed his flight'.

Third Conditional Worksheet

ESL Third Conditional Worksheet - Reading and Writing Activity - Upper-intermediate -
30 minutes
This third conditional worksheet helps students learn and practice positive and negative
third conditional sentences. Each student is given a copy of the two-page worksheet.
After reading through how to form the third conditional, the students practice the
structure by completing third conditional sentences with verbs in brackets. Next, the
students reorder words to make third conditional sentences starting with 'If'. Finally,
students read a story about someone's bad day and write third conditional sentences
about it using prompts.

Conditional Chain Game

ESL Mixed Conditionals Game - Speaking Activity - Pre-intermediate - 20 minutes
In this entertaining mixed conditionals game, students make conditional sentences in a
chain format. This game can be used to practice one particular conditional form, or it can
be used to practice mixed conditional forms. The students sit in a circle. The teacher
starts the game by saying an 'if clause'. One student begins by making a conditional
sentence by repeating the 'if' clause and adding a result clause. The next student makes
a new sentence by changing the first student’s result clause into an 'if' clause and adding
a new result clause and so on. If a student cannot come up with a conditional sentence
within a given time frame (e.g. ten seconds) or the student makes a mistake, they are
out of the game. As an alternative, you can ask the other students if they want to
challenge a sentence. If a student challenges a correct sentence, they are out. If a
student challenges an incorrect sentence, the student who made the error is out. If no
one challenges an incorrect sentence, you correct the mistake and the student who
made the error stays in the game.

Conditional Dominoes
ESL Mixed Conditionals Game - Matching and Speaking Activity - Pre-intermediate - 30
minutes
In this engaging mixed conditionals activity, students play a game of dominoes by
matching halves of zero, first, second and third conditional sentences together. Each
group of three is given a set of dominoes. The students shuffle the dominoes and deal
out five cards each. The remaining domino is placed face up on the table. The players'
task is to make mixed conditional sentences by matching 'if' and 'result' clauses
together. The first player tries to make a conditional sentence by placing one of their
dominoes at either end of the first domino. When a player makes a sentence, they read
it to the group. The next player then tries to put down one of their dominoes at either end
of the domino chain and so on. If a player cannot put down one of their dominoes, play
passes to the next student. The first player to get rid of all their dominoes wins the game.
When a student has won, the other players continue to put down their dominoes as
when all the dominoes have been matched they form a loop. If a loop is not formed, then
the students haven’t matched the dominoes correctly and they should look for their
mistake. When the students have finished, they discuss the sentences and say whether
they are true for them or not, and if they agree or disagree with what each sentence
says.

Conditional Completion
ESL Mixed Conditionals Worksheet - Reading, Writing and Speaking Activity - Low
intermediate - 30 minutes
This mixed conditionals worksheet activity is perfect for reviewing conditional forms.
Each student is given a copy of the worksheet. Working alone, students complete the
conditional sentences on the worksheet with their own ideas. When everyone has
finished, the students are divided into groups of four. In their groups, students compare
and discuss their answers. Afterwards, the students' sentences are reviewed and
students tell the class what they found out about their classmates.

Make your own dominoes

ESL Mixed Conditionals Game - Reading, Writing and Matching Activity - Low
intermediate - 30 minutes
In this mixed conditionals game, students review the zero, first, second and third
conditionals by completing sentences and playing games of dominoes. The students are
divided into groups of three and each group is given a copy of the uncut worksheet. In
their groups, the students read and complete each conditional sentence with an 'If'
clause or main clause as indicated. When a group has finished, their sentences are
checked. If the sentences are correct, the students cut the dominoes out as shown.
When everyone is ready, the groups swap their dominoes with another group. The
students shuffle the dominoes and deal out four each, leaving the rest in a pile face
down. The students then turn over the top domino from the pile and place it face up on
the table. The first player tries to make a conditional sentence by placing a domino down
either before or after the domino on the table. If the player can make a sentence, they
read it to the group to show the match is correct. The next player then tries to put down
one of their dominoes at either end of the domino chain and so on. If a player cannot put
down one of their dominoes, they take one from the top of the pile and put it down if they
can. If there are no dominoes left in the pile, play passes to the next student. The first
player to get rid of all their dominoes wins the game. The groups repeat the game
several times using a different group's dominoes each time.
Conditional Cards
ESL Mixed Conditionals Game - Writing and Speaking Activity - Intermediate - 30
minutes
In this fun mixed conditionals game, students race each other to complete conditional
sentences. Each group is given a set of cards. The students shuffle the cards and place
them face down in a pile on the table. One student begins by turning over the top card
and reading the beginning of a conditional sentence aloud. The other students in the
group then race to complete the ending of the conditional sentence. This could be done
in written form with each student racing to write down an answer on a piece of paper, or
you could have the students shout out an ending to the sentence. The first student to
produce a grammatically correct and appropriate conditional sentence keeps the card.
Then the next student picks up a card and so on. The student with the most cards at the
end of the game is the winner.

Conditionals Review
ESL Mixed Conditionals Activity - Reading and Writing - Intermediate - 25 minutes
In this mixed conditionals activity, students review the zero, first, second and third
conditionals by writing chain sentences. The class is split into groups of four and each
student is given a zero, first, second or third conditional card. The students write a result
clause for the first sentence on their card and on the next line they write the result clause
as an 'If' clause. When the students have done this, they pass the card to the student on
their right. The next student then repeats the process. This continues until the card is
complete with eight conditional sentences in a chain. Afterwards, students read out their
conditional chain sentences to the class and feedback is given.

Mixed Conditionals Worksheet

ESL Mixed Conditionals Worksheet - Reading and Writing Activity - Intermediate - 35
minutes
Here is a useful mixed conditionals worksheet to help students practice or review first,
second and third conditionals. Each student is given a copy of the two-page worksheet.
Students begin with an exercise where they correct mistakes in first conditional
sentences and rewrite them. Next, students do a gap-fill exercise where they complete
second and third conditional sentences with the correct form of the verbs in brackets.
Students then move on to put words in the correct order to make mixed conditional
sentences. After that, students match beginnings and endings of mixed conditional
sentences and then indicate which conditional is being used in each sentence by writing
1st, 2nd, or 3rd in the spaces. Finally, students complete mixed conditional sentences
with their own ideas. When the students have finished, their sentences are reviewed and
feedback is given.

Conditional Thoughts
ESL Mixed Conditionals Activity - Reading, Writing and Speaking - Upper-intermediate -
30 minutes
In this imaginative mixed conditionals activity, students practice asking and answering
questions using different conditional structures. Each student is given a worksheet.
Working alone, students answer mixed conditional questions by writing short answers in
squares on their worksheet. When everyone has finished, the students swap worksheets
with a partner. Students then try to guess why their partner has written the answers in
the squares by asking conditional questions. Students must also ask at least one follow-
up question for each item. At the end of the activity, students report back to the class on
the most interesting things they found out about their partner.

Countdown
ESL Mixed Conditionals Board Game - Reading and Speaking Activity - Upper-
intermediate - 30 minutes
This captivating mixed conditionals game is perfect for reviewing the zero, first, second
and third conditionals. In the game, students race to complete mixed conditional
sentences and ask or answer conditional questions in a ten-second time frame. The
students are divided into groups of three or four. Each group is given a copy of the game
board, a dice and counters. Students take it in turns to roll the dice and move their
counter along the board. When a student lands on a square, they have ten seconds to
make a conditional sentence using the clause in the square or ask or answer a
conditional question. If a student can’t think of anything to say, makes a grammar
mistake, or doesn't complete the task within ten seconds, they move back to their
previous square. The first student to reach the finish wins the game. You can make the
game easier or harder by changing the time limit. You could also have the students miss
a turn instead of going back to their previous square if they don't complete the task.
The Farmer and His Sons
ESL Mixed Conditionals Worksheet - Reading, Writing, and Matching Activity - Upper-
intermediate - 40 minutes
This mixed conditionals worksheet activity is based on an Aesop's Fables story. In the
worksheet, students use the first, second and third conditionals in matching, reading,
discussion and writing activities. Each student is given a copy of the two-page
worksheet. Working alone, the students match sentence halves together about the story.
Following that, students write whether each sentence is in the first, second or third
conditional and then use the mixed conditional sentences to write the order in which they
think the events happened. Next, with a partner, students discuss what they know about
the story from the sentences. Students then read the story to find out if their ideas were
correct. After the students have read the story, they go back to Exercise A and revise the
sentence order if necessary. Students then write a possible moral for the story.
Afterwards, the students imagine that it's 10 years later and that each of the sons has
half the farm. Students then write a first, second, and third conditional sentence each
about the two sons. Finally, the students' sentences are reviewed together as a class
and feedback is given.