sentence that expresses a condition and its possible outcome. It typically consists of two parts:
➢The condition (often introduced by
"if")The result (the outcome of that condition) Conditional Sentences Example:
➢For example, in the sentence
If it rains, I will stay home.
"If it rains" is the condition, and "I will
stay home" is the result. Conditional Sentences Structure :
A conditional sentence is composed of 2 parts :
Condition Result
If-clause + Main Clause
Example :
If it rains tomorrow, we will not come.
If-clause Main Clause
These sentences are in two halves (clauses):
▪ The if part - (if clause)
▪ The other part where you can use words such as can, will, may, might, could, and would - (main clause)
If you come with me, I will buy an
ice cream Conditional Sentences
Types :
➢ There are 4 types of conditional sentences.
They are classified according to their specific implications. ➢ Each type of conditional sentences uses different tenses to show the difference in their implications. ZERO CONDITIONAL ZERO CONDITIONAL is a structure used for talking about general truths -- things which always happen under certain conditions The zero conditional is used to talk about things which are always true -- scientific facts, general truths, and so on. N.B: (note that most zero conditional sentences will mean the same thing if "when" is used instead of "if"). ZERO CONDITIONAL Key Points:
General Truths and Facts: The zero conditional is
often used for statements that are always true, such as laws of nature, scientific facts, or habitual actions. Use of Present Simple: The “if” and the main clauses use the present simple tense because the situations described are factual and constant. Zero Conditionals STRUCTURE
If clause Main clause
If + Present Simple Present Simple
Present Tense Present Tense
If you heat the water It boils
to 100 degrees, Examples :
❖ If you heat water to 100°C, it boils.
(This is a scientific fact. Water always boils at 100°C under normal atmospheric conditions.)
❖ If you mix red and blue, you get purple.
(This is a general truth about colors.) Examples : ❖ If you don’t water plants, they die. (This is a fact about plant care. Without water, plants will die.)
❖ If it rains, the ground gets wet.
(This is a natural result of rain.)
❖ If people eat too much, they gain
weight. (This is a general truth about diet and health.) Examples :
❖ If you mix red and blue, you get purple.
❖ If you freeze water, it turns into ice. ❖ If you touch a flame, it burns. ❖ If the sun sets, it gets dark. ❖ If you don’t water plants, they die. When to Use the Zero Conditional
❖ When you want to express something that is
always true under certain conditions. ❖ When talking about scientific or universal truths. ❖ When describing habitual actions or general rules.
The zero conditional is straightforward because it deals with
factual relationships that don’t change. It’s commonly used in scientific writing, instructions, and any context where you need to describe a consistent cause-and-effect scenario. FIRST CONDITIONAL 1st CONDITIONAL is a structure used for talking about possibilities in the present or in the future. The first conditional is used to talk about things which are possible and probable in the present or the future --things which may happen. FIRST CONDITIONAL The first conditional is used to talk about real and possible situations in the future. It describes an event that is likely to happen if a certain condition is met. It’s often used for predictions, warnings, or promises. Key Points:
Real and Possible Situations: The first conditional
deals with situations that are possible or likely to happen in the future, depending on whether the condition is met.
Use of Present Simple and "Will": The "if" clause
uses the present simple tense to describe the condition, while the main clause uses "will" plus the base form of the verb to describe the likely result or outcome. FIRST CONDITIONAL STRUCTURE
IF CLAUSE MAIN CLAUSE
If + Present Simple Future Simple
(will, can, may)
Present simple Tense Future simple Tense
If you study hard, you will pass the
test. Examples :
❖ If you finish your homework, you will
be able to watch TV. (You will be able to watch TV if you complete your homework.)
❖ If they invite us to the party, we will go.
(We will attend the party if they send us an invitation.) Examples :
❖ If I see her, I will give her your
message. (If I encounter her, I will make sure to deliver your message.)
❖ If we leave now, we will arrive on time.
(Leaving now increases the chance of arriving on time.) When to Use the First Conditional
❖ To discuss realistic future possibilities based on
conditions that are likely to be met. ❖ To make promises or warnings about what will happen if certain conditions are fulfilled. ❖ To predict outcomes based on real, possible situations.
The first conditional helps in planning and preparing
for future events by showing how specific conditions influence likely outcomes. Part 1: Identify the Type of Conditional Directions: For each sentence, identify whether it is a Zero Conditional or First Conditional. Label the condition and result as well as the verb/ verb phrases.
1.If you leave ice out in the sun, it melts.
2.If she finishes her work on time, she might go to the party. 3.If he feels stressed, he usually listens to music. 4.If it snows tonight, we will build a snowman tomorrow. 5.If you exercise regularly, you generally feel better. Part 2: Complete the Sentences Direction: Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb in parentheses. 1.If he ___ (eat) too much, he ___ (feel) sick. (Zero Conditional) 2.If she ___ (call) me, I ___ (answer) her immediately. (First Conditional) 3.If the sun ___ (shine), the ice ___ (melt). (Zero Conditional) 4.If you ___ (wake) up early, you ___ (have) time for breakfast. (First Conditional) 5.If they ___ (not water) the garden, the flowers ___ (wilt). (Zero Conditional) Part 2: Complete the Sentences Direction: Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb in parentheses. 1.If he eats too much, he feels sick. (Zero Conditional) 2.If she calls me, I will answer her immediately. (First Conditional) 3.If the sun shines, the ice melts. (Zero Conditional) 4.If you wake up early, you can have time for breakfast. (First Conditional) 5.If they not water the garden, the flowers wilt. (Zero Conditional) Answer Key Part 1:
1. Zero Conditional 2. First Conditional 3. Zero Conditional 4. First Conditional 5. Zero Conditional Answer Key Part 2:
1. eats, feels 2. calls, will answer 3. shines, melts 4. wake, will have 5. don't water, wilt Possible & Probable conditions IF CLAUSE MAIN CLAUSE
If you ________ (drink) a lot, I ________ (leave) you
If we ________ (buy) tickets, We ___________ (go) to the concert
If he________ (lose) his key, You ________ (lend) him yours
If they ________ (dance) too much, They ____________ (get) tired
If they ________ (not stop) talking, We ________ (not finish) our lesson
If you ________ (take) the dog for I ________ (give) you some money a walk, SECOND CONDITIONAL 2nd CONDITIONAL is a structure used for talking about unreal situations in the present or in the future. The second conditional is used to express an imaginary present or improbable future situations (not true or not possible in the present or the future) -- things which don't or won't happen. SECOND CONDITIONAL 2nd CONDITIONAL The second conditional is used to talk about hypothetical or unlikely situations in the present or future and their possible outcomes. It describes events that are not real but imagined or unlikely to happen. Key Points:
1.Hypothetical Present or Future Situations: The second
conditional often refers to situations that are not true now or are unlikely to happen in the future.
2. Use of the Past Simple: Even though the situation is
about the present or future, the past simple tense is used in the "if" clause to show that the condition is unreal or imaginary.
3. Use of "Would": "Would" is used in the main clause to
express the possible outcome or result of the hypothetical situation. 2nd CONDITIONAL STRUCTURE
IF CLAUSE MAIN CLAUSE
If + Past Simple would, could, might + infinitive Past simple Tense Would + infinitive
If I won a million I would buy a big
dollars, house. Examples :
❖ If I had a million dollars, I would buy a
mansion. (I don’t have a million dollars, but if I did, I would buy a mansion.)
❖ If she were taller, she would play
basketball. (She is not tall, but if she were, she would play basketball.) Examples :
❖ If they studied harder, they would get
better grades. (They don’t study hard now, but if they did, they would get better grades.) Special Note on "Were" Instead of "Was": ❖ In the second conditional, it's common to use "were" instead of "was" after "if," especially in formal English, even when the subject is "I," "he," "she," or "it." This is known as the subjunctive mood, which emphasizes the hypothetical nature of the situation. Example: ❖ If I were you, I would take that job. (This means "If I were in your situation," but I'm not.) When to Use the Second Conditional
❖ When you want to speculate about something
that is not true or unlikely to be true in the present. ❖ When you want to discuss what you would do in a certain imaginary situation.
The second conditional helps express desires,
dreams, or situations that are contrary to reality, making it a useful tool for talking about possibilities that aren't currently real. 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.
1. If I won the lottery, I would buy a big house.
(I probably won't win the lottery) 2. If I met the Queen of England, I would say hello. 3. She would travel all over the world if she were rich. 4. She would pass the exam if she ever studied. (She never studies, so this won't happen) It has two uses.
Second, we can use it to talk about something in
the present which is impossible, because it's not true. Is that clear? Have a look at the examples:
1. 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).
2. If I were you, I wouldn't go out with that man.
Possible & Improbable conditions IF CLAUSE MAIN CLAUSE
If you ________ (drink) a lot, I ________ (leave) you
If we ________ (buy) tickets, We ___________ (go) to the concert
If he________ (lose) his key, You ________ (lend) him yours
If they ________ (dance) too much, They ____________ (get) tired
If they ________ (not stop) talking, We ________ (not finish) our lesson
If you ________ (take) the dog for I ________ (give) you some money a walk, THIRD CONDITIONAL 3rd CONDITIONAL is a structure used for talking about unreal situations in the past. The third conditional is used to talk about things which DID NOT HAPPEN in the past. It can be very useful, as It could be often used to express criticism or regret. THIRD CONDITIONAL The third conditional is used to talk about hypothetical situations in the past that did not happen and to imagine what the possible outcomes could have been if things had been different. It deals with situations that are impossible because they refer to events that are already completed. Key Points:
1.Hypothetical Past Situations: The third
conditional is used to discuss what might have happened in the past if a different condition had been met.
2.Use of Past Perfect and "Would Have": The
"if" clause uses the past perfect tense to describe the condition that was not fulfilled. The main clause uses "would have" plus the past participle to describe the hypothetical result of that condition. 3rd CONDITIONAL STRUCTURE
IF CLAUSE MAIN CLAUSE
If + Past Perfect would/could/might have + Past Participle Past Perfect Tense Would + Present Perfect Form
If I had studied I would have passed the
harder, exam. Examples : ❖ If I had known about the meeting, I would have attended. (I didn’t know about the meeting, so I didn’t attend. If I had known, I would have gone.)
❖ If she had studied harder, she would
have passed the exam. (She didn’t study hard enough and didn’t pass the exam. If she had studied more, she would have passed.) Examples : ❖ If they had left earlier, they would have caught the train. (They left too late and missed the train. If they had left earlier, they would have caught it.)
❖ If we had booked the tickets in advance, we
would have gotten better seats. (We didn’t book tickets in advance and ended up with worse seats. Booking in advance would have given us better seats.) Examples : ❖ If he had driven more carefully, he wouldn’t have had the accident. (He drove carelessly and had an accident. If he had driven more carefully, the accident would not have happened.) •To reflect on past actions or decisions and their imagined results if different choices had b •To express regret or speculation about how past events might have turned out differently. When to Use the Third Conditional
❖ To reflect on past actions or decisions and their
imagined results if different choices had been made. ❖ To express regret or speculation about how past events might have turned out differently.
The third conditional is useful for discussing missed
opportunities, expressing regret, or exploring alternative past scenarios that didn’t actually occur. Impossible conditions IF CLAUSE MAIN CLAUSE
If you ________ (drink) a lot, I ________ (leave) you
If we ________ (buy) tickets, We ___________ (go) to the concert
If he________ (lose) his key, You ________ (lend) him yours
If they ________ (dance) too much, They ____________ (get) tired
If they ________ (not stop) talking, We ________ (not finish) our lesson
If you ________ (take) the dog for I ________ (give) you some money a walk, Other expressions used in conditional clauses: UNLESS You won't finish the race unless you pace yourself.
WHETHER…OR NOT Whether you pay or not, you won't get in without an invitation.
ON CONDITION THAT "I will only tell my age on the condition that you tell yours." PROVIDED THAT “I will only tell my age provided that you tell yours” PROVIDING THAT “I will only tell my age providing that you tell yours” SO LONG AS “I will only tell my age so long as you tell yours” AS LONG AS “I will only tell my age as long as you tell yours” ASSUMING THAT "Assuming that it's fine tomorrow, we'll go for a swim“ SUPPOSING THAT "What would you do supposing that you were given the chance to see the future ?" Other time clauses (before, unless, when, while, as soon as, as long as, provided that)
After using ; when, as soon as, before, while, unless, as long as and provided that we use the present tense (not will).
• I’ll stay with Jake when I go to London next week.
• As soon as I get my exam results, I’m going on holiday. • Before I go out tonight, I have to finish this essay. • While I’m away, Penny’s going to look after my dog. • I won’t be able to buy a car unless I find a job soon. • I’ll come with you as long as I don't have to drive. • You’ll pass your exam provided that you do enough revision. WISH / IF ONLY CLAUSES Wish and if only can be used with would and past tenses. These structures express regrets, and wishes for unlikely or impossible things. If only is more emphatic.
1. Past tenses are used to talk about the present.
I wish I was better looking I wish I spoke French Don’t you wish you could fly? If only I knew more people! Were can be used instead of was, especially in a formal style. He wishes he were better looking.
2. We use a past perfect tense to express regrets about the past
I wish you hadn’t said that. Now she wishes she had gone to university. If only she hadn’t told the police, everything would be all right.
3. We use would or could...
1. to talk about future things which aren’t very probable. I wish / If only I could go to the party. 2. to talk about future things that we would like people (not) to do. The subject of wish and the main verb is different. So here we only use would. This often expresses dissatisfaction or annoyance: It can sound critical. I wish you would go home. If only the postman would come! We can use this structure to talk about things as well as people. I wish this damned car would start. If only it would stop raining! Sample rephrasing
First Conditional: - Be careful – someone’s going to see you! - If you are careful, nobody will see you! - If + Subject + present simple, subject + future will (aff or neg)
Second Conditional:
-Kathy wants to go to the movies but doesn't have any money
-If Kathy had some money, she would go to the movies. -If + Subject + past simple (neg or aff), subject + would /could/might + infinitive + complements
Third Conditional: -Tom was not going to come to dinner the next day because you insulted him. -If you hadn’t insulted him, Tom would have come to dinner. - If + Subject + past perfect (neg or aff), subject + would/ could/might + have + pp + C
Wish / If only I’m sorry, but I can’t help you now. I wish I could help you. I would have gone to the concert, but I didn’t have a ticket. I wish I had had a ticket. / I had bought a ticket Other examples
- His book will be published provided he takes his manuscript to the editor. Unless he takes his manuscript to the editor, his book won’t be published. Unless + present simple, future simple (aff or neg)
-I didn't have an umbrella with me and so I got wet.
I wouldn't have got wet, if I had had an umbrella with me.
-We don't go to school when it rains
If it rains, we don’t go to school.
-I didn't move the table because Jack didn't help me.
If Jack had helped me, I would have moved the table.
- You drink too much coffee, that's why you don't sleep well. If you didn’t drink too much coffee, you would sleep well.
-You never talk to me, so you don't know anything about me. If you talked to me, you would know something about me. Thank you
