Scribd
Upload
28 views2 pages

Regent Writing Lab ELL ESL Conditionals Wishes

This document discusses the proper grammar for conditional sentences and wishes. It explains zero, first, second, and third conditional sentences, providing examples of each. Zero conditionals express things that are always true, first conditionals express likely possibilities, second conditionals express unreal present or future situations, and third conditionals express unreal past situations. It also discusses how to express wishes about situations that are different from reality using the past tense or past perfect tense depending on whether the situation is in the past, present or future.

Uploaded by

Ashiila Al Eifa Arisanto
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
28 views2 pages

Regent Writing Lab ELL ESL Conditionals Wishes

This document discusses the proper grammar for conditional sentences and wishes. It explains zero, first, second, and third conditional sentences, providing examples of each. Zero conditionals express things that are always true, first conditionals express likely possibilities, second conditionals express unreal present or future situations, and third conditionals express unreal past situations. It also discusses how to express wishes about situations that are different from reality using the past tense or past perfect tense depending on whether the situation is in the past, present or future.

Uploaded by

Ashiila Al Eifa Arisanto
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

CONDITIONALS & WISHES

A Conditional Sentence directly expresses cause and effect. These sentences contain a
condition usually marked by the word “if” (e.g., “If you practice…”) and a result (e.g.,
“...you will improve”). The condition can come before the result (e.g., “If you practice,
you will improve”) or after the result (e.g., “You will improve if you practice”).

Wishes set up a desire for something to be true that currently is not true (e.g., “I wish
the weather were warm today, but it is cold”). This resource will show you the proper
grammar for conditionals and wishes.

ZERO CONDITIONAL: ALWAYS TRUE


Zero conditional sentences express a condition and a result that are always true. These
sentences will often contain a clause starting with the word “if,” “when,” or
“whenever.” If the action is happening in the present, use Simple Present Tense. If the
action was happening in the past, use Simple Past Tense.

EXAMPLES:
1. When I go to church, I always wear nice shoes.
2. Whenever I scored a goal, the crowd cheered.
3. She always brought cookies when she visited her sister.

FIRST CONDITIONAL: LIKELY TO HAPPEN


First conditional sentences express conditions that are likely to happen. The condition
in a first conditional sentence starts with “if” and is written in a form of present tense
(i.e., “If you go to the store…”), while the result is written in a form of future tense (i.e.,
“...then I will cook dinner”).

EXAMPLES:
1. If the weather is still good, I will walk to school.
2. We will start the meeting without him if he is running late.
3. If you don’t hurry, you will miss your plane.

Writing Lab | [email protected] | 757.352.4925


SECOND CONDITIONAL: NOT TRUE
Second conditional sentences express conditions in the present or future that are not
true. The condition begins with “if” and is written in simple past tense or past
progressive tense. The result includes “would,” “could,” or “might” and is written in
simple present tense. Note: When using a “to be” verb, use “were” rather than “was.”

EXAMPLES:
1. If the tests were easier, the students might pass them.
2. If you owned a car, you could drive to school.
3. I would be very happy if I were eating ice cream right now.

THIRD CONDITIONAL: DID NOT HAPPEN


Third Conditional Sentences express actions in the past that did not actually happen.
In these sentences, the Condition uses the word “if” and is written in either past perfect
tense or past perfect progressive tense. The result uses “would have,” “could have,” or
“might have” followed by the past participle of the verb.

EXAMPLES:
1. If I had walked to school, I would have been late.
2. If the students had been studying last night, they could have earned a better
grade.
3. You might have won the game if you had played differently.

“WISH" AS A VERB: DESCRIBES UNREAL CONDITIONS


The verb “wish” is used to express the desire that current conditions were different. The
grammar for wishes can be tricky, because the verb tense does not match the time of the
wish. Use the chart below to master wishes!

Situation Verb Alteration Wishing for Condition

It didn’t work before. Past time -> past perfect tense I wish it had worked.

It doesn’t work now. Present time -> past tense I wish it worked now.

It will not work tomorrow. Future time -> present tense I wish it works tomorrow.

Writing Lab | [email protected] | 757.352.4925

You might also like